Selina Tobaccowala (SurveyMonkey) at Startup Grind Global 2016 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Building an international platform requires considering factors such as translation, customization, design, payments, pricing, data storage, and mobile responsiveness.

Key Insights

• 😌 A significant portion of internet users and potential growth opportunities lie in international markets.
• ❓ Customization and transcreation are essential for effective marketing in different regions.
• 🎨 Designing for longer length text and accommodating cultural design preferences is crucial for international platforms.
• ❓ Flexible pricing and diverse payment methods cater to market-specific preferences and willingness to pay.
• 🌍 Considerations for international data storage and privacy regulations are vital for maintaining compliance and consumer trust.
• 🌍 Mobile responsiveness is crucial in international markets, and offline functionality should be considered.
• 🤯 Building a platform with global scalability in mind saves time and resources in the long run.

Transcript

do you have coffee I had three of them yeah just to wake me up a little bit all right so guys I'm Dimitri's from Greece all the way from Athens I'm so happy to be here my first time in Silicon Valley and I'm loving it so i'm here to introduce you a very special speaker selena sees the CTO of survey monkey so Selena I'm started in 2009 and before th... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it important to think globally from the start when building a platform?

Thinking globally from the start is important because a large percentage of internet users are international, and success in international markets can be a significant factor in a platform's growth and sustainability.

Q: What is the difference between translation and transcreation?

Translation refers to converting content into another language, while transcreation involves not only translating the content but also adapting it to fit the cultural and linguistic nuances of the target market.

Q: How can the design of a platform be optimized for international markets?

Designing for longer length text, considering cultural design preferences, and accommodating different languages' interface requirements are key strategies for optimizing the design of an international platform.

Q: Why is it essential to have flexible pricing for different markets?

Different markets have varying price elasticity and willingness to pay, making it crucial to have the ability to adjust prices for the same product or service based on the specific market's dynamics.

Q: What factors should be considered in data architecture for international platforms?

Time zones, encoding, and data storage location are important considerations. Additionally, complying with privacy regulations, such as European safe harbor, can be a competitive advantage when storing customer data in Europe.

Q: Why is mobile responsiveness important for global platforms?

Mobile usage is significant in many international markets, and neglecting mobile responsiveness can result in lost opportunities and hinder user experience. Additionally, considering offline functionality is crucial for regions with limited connectivity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• International markets make up a significant portion of internet users, highlighting the importance of thinking globally from the start.

• Transcreation, customization, and content management systems are crucial for effective marketing in different regions.

• Designing for longer length text, supporting multiple currencies and payment methods, and flexible pricing are essential for international platforms.

• Proper data architecture and storage, including considering privacy regulations like European safe harbor, is vital.

• Mobile responsiveness and considering offline functionality are key factors for success in international markets.