Forum Moderators: buckworks
In my view, this goes against everything that the internet stands for. I feel that it gives the site a provincial feel. That if you aren't from our country then don't bother with us.
Granted, over 95% of the sales on this website are from this country. But we also have a dozen other translated country-specific sites which also get 95% of their business from those countries.
Personally, I see this as e-suicide. But I'm just one worker bee with one opinion.
What would YOU think if you read this on a website, "We are an Elbonian company! Made in Elbonia!"
1) If you ARE an Elbonian?
2) If you AREN'T an Elbonian?
Any and all opinions are welcome. I plan to show this thread to my boss :)
But, if you tell me your politics and I don't like them, I may not do business with you or if I do do business with you, I most likely won't give you as good a deal as I would have if you would have kept your politics to yourself.
On the other side of the coin, if I like your politics, I may just give you a great deal.
As a shopper I'm not so concerned about where the company is based as whether they'll provide service to me in my country.
The bottom line here is how your customers respond. Has adding the flags had any measurable, statistically significant effect on sales?
Granted, over 95% of the sales on this website are from this country.
What would YOU think if you read this on a website, "We are an Elbonian company! Made in Elbonia!"
1) If you ARE an Elbonian?
2) If you AREN'T an Elbonian?
I'll first go with the standard answer. Test it.
Personally, I'd care more about where the company is located than where the product was made. Company location gives me some confidence that they are subject to the same laws I am, and are also within reach of that law. I'm saying it would make me more confident that I'll be treated fairly if we're both Elbonian.
If I'm not Elbonian, I'm probably not that bothered by you stating your location. In many cases, it may be better than stating no location.
"Nationalism/Patriotism" gives me the impression that you could take it too far. I'd go more for "Prominent Physical Location Statement."
Today this question about nationalism actually came up for me, as I decided to give a wholesale customer a source because I didn't want to be their go-between anymore for various reasons. But when they found it out, they weren't sure for political reasons that they wanted to deal with the business I was buying from because of the country where it was located. They also didn't want to buy any products coming from another unnamed country because basically they considered them bad and evil. I feel like don't judge a people by its government. I wouldn't want people to judge me by mine.
So if the Elbonian government is doing a lot of bad and evil things, I would still trade with an Elbonian business, no problem. I would think twice about trading with that business if their site was plastered with Elbonian flags, though.
As a website business owner., I avoid things like flags as I too worry that they are more of a political or patriotism sign. Instead, I might opt for something that says that we are based in the UK, USA, France or whatever. Our business has become a global based business with customers of many different nationalities, religions and races.
Stick to it and update the donations that you've made ( better if you can scan the receipts and put them online ).
For me that shows you have your heart and soul in the right place.
In my location we donate a small portion of the proceeds to the local childrens Mesothalmia group and another small donation to an agency that takes care of abandoned children. We don't advertise it though..
with customers of many different nationalities, religions and races.
Unless it is somehow pertinent to your product, I'm not sure why religion or race needs to be mentioned.
Most people won't care, and you'll likely alienate those that do care. We're talking about selling points here, and I'm guessing we're talking about tangible goods.
if you start your business as patriotic-oriented, this might be great. You just target some group of patriotic people as your clients (say you sell to Elbonians only, Elbonians--not all, but who feels warm about it--they will buy from you).
Hovewer, if your business was not politics-aware from the very beginning, and then just suddently turns to be, when you have already established clients base?
Some of your existing clients feel warm about Elbonia, some hate it, some dislike patriotism-for-sale, some might think your business owner is going into politics ans starts gathering political capital.
You just polarize your clients into groups, and might lose groups that do not like your business went into that direction of politics.
Therefore I think, suddently turning to politics will not help you increase sales, it will just help you re-organise your client base and lose part of it, in just a moment.
One method to not upset people too much is the following (I'll use a Germany based company as an example as they are quite an easy one). Check the language settings of the user (a HTTP string) and if it contains 'de' (German), then they are likely in Germany, so you can display the German flag (we are German), promoting the locality to Germans but not upsetting the French.
Difficulties arise when multiple languages are used or surrounding countries use the same language. One problem with German is that some Swiss people also speak German and will get the German flag. The worst language for this seems to be English. It seems about half of the UK population have their computers set to 'en-gb', the other half 'en-us'.
Its tough topic which we grapple every day. Depending on the country and the times, I can help to wave the flag. But politics as it is, waving the flag is going to turn off some buyers.
Does your website display a phone number? If so, what are you hearing on the phone from customers and potential customers? Are they concerned that you are not Eblonian?
