Going Local or Global?

My biggest frustration with local entrepreneurs is their dogged approach to building local web businesses. My personal feeling is that it's difficult to reach critical mass building a product just for South Africa, as you're just fishing in a smaller pond (4m users in SA vs 1.4bn users online). I've always said that the Internet is "Geographically agnostic" - so why focus on a small segment and limit yourself when are the much bigger markets to tap into and potential for hard currency earnings. You can target advertising to consumers in any country in the world - why limit yourself to South Africa?

Some people may think that this is unpatriotic (and in fact, I've been accused of this) - but to me, patriotism is bring in foreign revenues and creating jobs & industry for local South Africans - something which I'm passionate about.

The question therefore is: Should people based in the Silicon Cape be focused on building locally or globally relevant startups (and yes, the right answer is probably in the middle!)...

Tags: Cape, Silicon

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul Roberts on December 2, 2010 at 12:13

True, James. Many e-businesses go global just like yours did. And, thanks for mentioning the language barrier. That's why our translation business exists. Language certainly is a major barrier, but with careful planning and awareness that your business idea may be more easily accepted by markets in other countries (think of Google's Orkut which was created for the US but has huge support in Brazil and India) it should be no problem. Visit us online to learn more about us and how we provide SA businesses with global language solutions. www.folio-online.co.za

James Hurford said:

IT'S ALL IN THE MIND.

There's nothing to stop Silicon Cape based businesses building globally.

In fact, when I started my business I saw being based in South Africa as a massive opportunity.

With fourteen Rand to the Pound at the time, I thought 'those buggers in the UK are going to love that'.

And with no language and culture problems, I knew I was on to a winner.

After picking up business from London I then thought 'what's stopping me getting business from other countries?'

I focused on English speaking countries but soon found there were loads of English speaking businesses and people scattered all over the world. It's come in from Europe, USA, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Geography isn't a barrier. If there are any barriers it's time difference, language, culture and your mindset.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gloria G on December 6, 2010 at 11:50

i totally agree that you have to think global but don't forget about the lical things)
online slots

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julian Jansen on December 14, 2010 at 13:13

HI , I think this is a very important topic, hens the construction of www.glocal.co.za These guys built this website to assist Entrepreneurs and small to medium business owners by getting their business out there.

They do usual text ads aswell as audio and video ads, free of charge, infact you can place your own audio ads with you built in voice recorder on your mobile phone and upload it to the website.

Have a look at the site www.glocal.co.za , it has a social network component and that ensure "eyes on businesses"

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julian Jansen on December 14, 2010 at 13:15

They do usual text ads aswell as audio and video ads, free of charge, infact you can place your own audio ads with you built in voice recorder on your mobile phone and upload it to the website.

Have a look at the site www.glocal.co.za , it has a social network component and that ensure "eyes on businesses"