Not connecting to Indian consumers Apr 15, 2007 NEW DELHI: Forget Web 2.0. When it comes to online user interface for their Indian consumers, MNCs still have a long way to go. For most leading global brands, local Indian websites are nothing compared to their websites for developed markets. User-friendliness, interactivity and content - on all counts, Indian websites have a long way to go before catching up with their global counterparts.
Want to find your nearest Motorola dealer? Click on 'local dealers' on Motorola India's website and you come to: 'Motorola's products are distributed through the main channels and shops for (mobile) communication. We advise you to contact your local communications specialist with regards to availability and prices of Motorola products'. Huh? Motorola's US website, on the other hand, offers a drop-down menu for a user to find the nearest dealer. LG Electronics is another example. The consumer electronics major has two websites- lgindia.com - which appears first if you google 'LG India' - and lgezbuy. A user visiting lgindia to find the nearest LG dealer would not find the option. Well, go to products, select a product and then you'll find the option to locate an LG dealer- click and you're taken to the lgezbuy dealer locator page. Phew! It is, however, much easier finding LG service centres and the online shopping option on the website. The difference also extends to the 'look and feel' factor . A case in point is the website of FMCG major Unilever and that of its Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Unilever. While Unilever's site is colourful, vibrant and consumer-oriented, HLL's website leans more towards a corporate user. So, if the Unilever homepage has tips on staying fit, healthy and beautiful, quarterly results and other corporate information share prominence with information on HLL brands on the Indian site. Similarly, the global website of Procter and Gamble (P and G) offers tips on issues ranging from nutrition to stress-busting and from beauty to baby care, the Indian website goes just beyond the basic brand information to offer 'consumer care' tips like how to differentiate between a cold and a flu and some tips to deal with cough, cold and flu. While McDonald's India does better in terms of user-friendliness than most websites, a comparison with the company's US website shows the increased focus on projecting itself as a responsible brand. So, while the Indian website has a restaurant locator, nutrition info and some fitness tips, the American site offers suggestions on topics ranging from 'nutrition tips while dining at McD's' to 'food allergens' and 'sensitivity info'. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Not_connecting_to_Indian_consumers/RssArticleShow/articleshow/1911488.cms Vikas Kapoor, MSN ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype ID: dl_vikas Mobile: (+91) 9891098137. To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
