How Do Customer Insights Shape International Product Development?
InternationalMarketing.io
How Do Customer Insights Shape International Product Development?
Curious about how top professionals leverage customer insights for international product development? In this article, Co-Founder & CEO and Sales Operations Manager share their expert strategies. Discover how seven expert tailors services for international clients and another integrates cryptocurrency and physical access options. Get ready to explore 7 invaluable insights from industry leaders.
- Tailor Services for International Clients
- Modify Products Based on Regional Feedback
- Customize Features for Local Preferences
- Offer Tailored Google Business Profile Setups
- Create Localized Support Structures
- Adapt Products for Cultural Nuances
- Integrate Cryptocurrency and Physical Access Options
Tailor Services for International Clients
As CEO of OneStop Northwest, customer insights have guided how we tailor our services for international clients. Early on, we worked with a Seattle-based retailer expanding into Europe. Customer surveys found shoppers there valued sustainability, so we incorporated eco-friendly messaging and product options. Within six months, the retailer's brick-and-mortar and online sales had increased by over 50% in key European markets.
When an Australian SaaS company wanted to enter the U.S. market, we analyzed how their platform could meet the needs of American small businesses. Focus groups with business owners highlighted a desire for simple, affordable solutions. We repositioned the platform around streamlining operations at a low cost. After relaunching in the U.S. with this positioning, the company exceeded sales targets by over 40% in the first quarter.
Understanding customer values and priorities in each market has been key to helping clients succeed internationally. With data-driven insights, we can craft strategies and solutions custom for our clients' audiences worldwide. The most impactful innovations happen when you listen to the people you aim to serve.
Modify Products Based on Regional Feedback
Customer insights are incredibly valuable when expanding into international markets. One way I've used this is by analyzing feedback from customers in different regions to tailor products to their specific needs and preferences. By gathering insights through surveys, focus groups, and social media interactions, we identified unique pain points for international customers, which allowed us to adjust our product offerings accordingly.
For example, we discovered that in certain countries, packaging and product sizing needed to be modified to align with local standards and consumer expectations. Implementing these changes not only increased sales but also built stronger relationships with our global customer base, as they felt their feedback was being heard and acted upon.
Using customer insights for international product development helps ensure that products resonate with local markets, improving both customer satisfaction and business growth.
Customize Features for Local Preferences
As Founder and CEO of Rocket Alumni Solutions, I closely monitor feedback from our international clients to guide product development. For example, schools in China requested the ability to recognize students’ academic performance and extracurricular involvement on our digital displays. We launched new template options highlighting these achievements, and within six months had secured over 20 new clients in China.
Brazilian clients asked if we could incorporate more visual elements, like informational graphics and videos, into our software. We redesigned our platform to seamlessly integrate multimedia, leading to a 40% increase in signups from Brazil over the following year.
In India, clients wanted options to display content in Hindi and other regional languages. We formed a partnership with a translation service to offer multi-language support, enabling us to expand into new markets across India and raise overall revenue by 25% last quarter. By listening to our international customers and meeting their unique needs, we’ve opened up growth opportunities worldwide. The key is to understand each region’s preferences and priorities, then tailor your offerings accordingly. My team and I studied research reports on education technology trends in key markets like India and China. We noticed interactive displays and digital signage were surging in demand, especially among prestigious high schools eager to showcase student and alumni accomplishments.
To meet this need, we developed a simplified interface for our hall-of-fame product and created new photo/video templates featuring diverse faces and brighter colors. Within a month of launching, over 50 schools in India and China signed up for trials. Their feedback led us to offer custom content in local languages and highlight alumni now working for prestigious companies.
In China particularly, headmasters wanted to emphasize alumni working in STEM fields. We created special features spotlighting their career paths and words of inspiration for current students. These customizations resonated strongly, leading 25 schools to become paying Rocket customers within six months. By listening to the unique priorities of each region, we’ve found new ways to serve international communities and drive growth.
Offer Tailored Google Business Profile Setups
At Vortex Ranker, we specialize in helping businesses scale the dizzying heights of Google Maps through stellar Google Business Profile optimizations. When we decided to dip our toes into international waters, I quickly realized we couldn't just throw a dart at a world map and hope for the best. Spoiler alert: that's not a strategy.
So, we rolled up our sleeves and started listening to our customers. One client mentioned their struggles setting up their GBP in another language, which got me thinking. Translations are one thing, but if I wrote "fantastic pizza" in a language that meant "absolutely terrible" to them, we'd be in a world of hurt. We needed to understand their culture, not just the words.
To dig deeper, we conducted surveys and interviews with potential clients worldwide. Imagine me, coffee in hand, trying to convince someone in a different time zone to chat while I'm still wearing my pajamas. But it was worth it! Turns out, businesses in different countries have their quirks. For example, some care more about reviews than they do about breathing. Who knew?
With all this insight, we adjusted our approach. We started offering tailored GBP setups that included local language support and advice on how to engage with customers in a way that wouldn't make them run for the hills.
Now, instead of just listing businesses, we're helping them build trust and community ties. We've not only added a new layer to our services, but we also became the friendly neighborhood SEO partner who gets the joke in every language.
So, if you're thinking of going global, remember: listen to your customers. They're the real GPS in this wild SEO adventure.
Create Localized Support Structures
One way I used customer insights to inform international product development was when I expanded my telecommunications business into the UAE. We collected feedback from our local Australian customers about pain points in customer-service response times and tailored solutions. I noticed that the UAE market, while different, had a similar demand for faster, more personalized service.
We applied these insights by creating a localized support structure that prioritized rapid response and built strong relationships with local service providers. This not only improved customer satisfaction but helped us gain a competitive edge in the region. Listening to customer feedback, regardless of location, is essential to making the right strategic decisions globally.
Adapt Products for Cultural Nuances
As a marketing strategist with experience in 32 markets, I have relied heavily on customer insights to tailor products internationally. For example, when launching an app in India, surveys revealed our original design was confusing. We redesigned based on user feedback, boosting downloads in India by 38%.
In China, customer interviews pointed to key barriers to accessing our web platform. To address limited Wi-Fi and preference for mobile, we built a stripped-down mobile version. Traffic from China spiked 22% in 3 months.
While expanding in Latin America, social media monitoring highlighted dissatisfaction with our Spanish translations. We invested in professional translators and culturally-sensitive copywriters. Customer satisfaction in Mexico rose 29% and sales in Brazil increased 14% over the next quarter.
The key is listening to your international customers and being willing to adapt. Lack of cultural understanding will doom global products. Success requires nuance—professional translators, research on local preferences, and continuous optimization based on insights from each market. Global customers will reward brands that genuinely seek to understand them.
Integrate Cryptocurrency and Physical Access Options
One of the best ways I've used customer insights to guide international product development was through feedback gathered from our diverse customer base. When we launched our platform globally, we received questions and comments about payment methods from clients in different regions. Many clients, especially in Europe and Asia, expressed interest in using cryptocurrency as a way to fund their purchases. This wasn't something we initially prioritized.
After seeing the demand, we decided to integrate crypto payments. It wasn't just about adding a new feature; we also had to think about the security and ease of use for our international clients. People in different countries have varying levels of trust and experience with cryptocurrencies. We made sure the process was simple and transparent, addressing concerns about security and making it accessible even for users new to crypto.
Another thing we noticed from customer feedback was how much people valued physical access to their assets. This was a big factor in regions where personal control over assets is highly valued, like in parts of the Middle East. So, we expanded our options for physical inspections and deliveries to meet that demand. This created a sense of trust and gave customers more flexibility.
Incorporating such customer insights helped us improve the product and cater to specific regional needs. The key takeaway? Don't ignore customer feedback, especially when entering international markets. It's often the little details that can make a big difference.
