Japan is a major player in the world’s economy. Its advanced technological and scientific contributions have made it a powerful force to reckon with. These advancements have enabled a number of companies to set up shop in Japan and cater to its large populace. Any contact or communication with customers in Japan should be in the native language and always adhere to the sentiments of its people.
WEB Design for Japanese markets
Companies headquartered in the U.S. and having offices in Japan often find it challenging to create a web presence satisfying to both the markets. Owing to the cultural, linguistic, and geographic barriers, it is difficult to find a web company in the U.S. that understands these requirements.
Here is a general idea of the challenges faced by designers creating websites for a bilingual (or multilingual) audience.
- Language – Not only is English easy to learn, it is also the language used by computers and programs. However, Japanese is a complex language made up of different character sets, requiring a different approach to using it on a website.
- Tone – Communication in the U.S. is casual and laid-back whereas in Japan it is respectful and formal. Web designers have to match both tones and create a website that conveys the same information while maintaining the appropriate tone.
- Design – Most website designs in the west are minimal, ‘showing’ rather than ‘telling’. Japanese designs are all about information. Though Japanese sites are aesthetically pleasing, they are far from being called minimal.
Having a web design team in both locations is not a feasible idea. Despite the availability of numerous collaboration tools, there will still be a disconnect between teams due to the linguistic divide.
Bilingual Web company in the US
Finding a Japanese web company in the U.S. can solve this problem easily. They can handle your complete online footprint, allowing you to communicate effectively across both markets. Before zeroing in on a web company, ensure you check their portfolio. The companies you select should have designed websites for Japanese clients, in Japanese.
You should also check the traffic on sites the company has created. Many companies are paid merely to create a website without having to bring in any traffic. Thus, they may have only provided an awesome design with a lot of color and information. If the traffic to these sites is less than impressive, turn away.
Finally, ensure the company understands your customers and their expectations from your company’s services. There is nothing more embarrassing for a company than a miscommunication with its customers. Your website should seamlessly bridge the gap between the two worlds, and it can happen by choosing the right web company.
President of Imagine Web Creation, Kanzo Nara
With over 10 years of experience in Japanese and English bilingual web design. He is also one of the pioneers to start a Bilingual SEO agency in 2006.