Where To Put National References On Your Website For Maximum Results

Last updated 16 August 2008

There are fives scales to measure different cultural behaviors.

• High Individualism versus High Collectivism Behavior
• Uncertainty Avoidance versus Low Uncertainty Avoidance Behavior
• High Power Distance versus Low Power Distance Behavior
• High Masculinity versus High Femininity Behavior
• High Context versus Low Context Behavior

Important: Read the Basic Guidelines For Using Cross Cultural Communication Web Tools before implementing any of these web tools.

There is more than one tool you can use to appeal to each of the different cultural behavioral traits.

We have already seen 2 web tools for cultures with high collectivism behavior traits.

• Communities
• Family Themes

National References

Let’s look at the third web tool for cultures with high collectivism culture behavioral traits:

• Use national references

Cultures with high collectivism behavior traits value group goals and activities. They will respond to national references on your website.

Let’s review the cultural behavior of High Collectivism behavior traits:

Traits Of Cultures With High Collectivism

Some cultures are described as being high on the scale of collectivism. These cultures have strong beliefs in:

• Group goals

This is opposed to the other end of this scale, cultures high on the scale of individualism, which have strong beliefs in:

• Personal goals

Here’s one thing you can do to communicate better with your clients in these cultures:

Highlight Use Of National References

In these cultures here is how you can use national references:

• Country specific symbols
• Flags
• Pictures of well known monuments or buildings or landscape

These web tools have a strong appeal to collectivism cultures. Find the right way to emphasize them on your website. There will be instances where you will need some expert advice.

Use these cross cultural web tools to inspire you to improve your web communication with your international clients.

There is lots more on the different cultural behaviors in the June issues of the Get International Clients Weekly Newsletter. Sign up quickly for more tips and ideas for getting more out of your international marketing.

Important Notice

Basic Guidelines For Using This Web Tool

If you have not read the Basic Guidelines For Using Cross Cultural Communication Web Tools as mentioned in the very beginning of this article, please do so before implementing any of these web tools.

You need to look at the whole picture of all five cultural behaviors before tweaking how you use the specific web tools outlined here.

Cindy King is a Cross-Cultural Marketer and International Sales Specialist, with over 25 years field experience in international business development. Find out about how Cindy can help you get international clients