There was a time when businesses were only limited to a nearby geographical proximity, where we, as consumers, would shop from the local high street. But the internet and eCommerce has changed all of that. We now have a much wider reach, depending on what products we are offering. Not only are we now able to reach consumers in other cities but also globally. Which is why you should consider having a multilingual website.ÂIf you are involved in shipping or have an e-commerce website, then consider the following:

According to an annual report by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union comprised in 2015, the internet hosts 40% of the world’s population. And the number just keeps growing. 85% of these users speak one of 10 languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian, German, French or Malaysian. And, while English speakers represent some 28% of the online population, 55% of the content available online is in English. 90% of Europeans always visit a website in their own language when given a choice. And 42% of them said they never buy products or services if the information is not available in their mother tongue. If your online store dispatches items to countries other than your own, localising your website can really make a difference. Providing information in different languages, with appropriate currencies and unit measures, can improve trust and drive sales.