More businesses expand their reach to international users online.
By next year, Western Europe will have the largest regional population online. Rosenthal outlines a few basic steps organizations can take to tap into these newly accessible geographic markets and make their Web sites globally friendly. For example, one common problem international users face is address forms that require them to specify a state of residence. Such forms are impossible for non-U.S. residents to complete and may drive potential customers to competitors' sites. The next step for businesses serious about reaching global users is to offer their Web sites in different languages.