eBays Global Transformation: Fast, but Not Fast Enough

Byte Level Research publishes a global analysis of eBays business strategy and Web site. By 2006, more than half of eBay's revenues will come from outside the US. However, to maintain mementum, eBay must expand its pace of expansion and improve its Web globalization navigation.

(PRWEB) March 16, 2005 -- According to a new report from Byte Level Research, eBay is on the verge of becoming a truly global company. Already more than half of eBays registered users live outside of the US, and within the next 18 months, more than half of eBays revenues will be generated outside the US.

However, Byte Levels report raises questions about eBays pace of global expansion. Byte Level recommends that eBay accelerate expansion into new markets as a hedge against China not performing as well as expected.

eBay is wisely betting big on China," said John Yunker, president of Byte Level Research and author of the report. But wide-scale customer acceptance could take longer than eBay is hoping. We recommend that eBay expand into more markets sooner rather than later. We also recommend that eBay launch a Spanish Web site for US customers."

Some of the key takeaways from the report include:

• In 2004, the number of non-US-registered users surpassed the number of US-registered users. By 2006, possibly earlier, non-US revenues will surpass US revenues.

• Although eBay withdrew from Japan in 2002, eBays recent launch of the international classified ad portal, Kijiji, represents eBays quiet return to this critical market.

• Global navigation remains a major weak spot in eBays global Web sites. Ensuring that non-English speakers successfully locate their local content will further improve eBays success around the world.

Report Details

This report is part of Byte Levels ongoing "Profiles In Globalization" series. The report is available for purchase ($90 for limited license; $145 for enterprise license) and is included as part of an enterprise subscription to Byte Levels "Global By Design."

Members of the media may request a free copy of this report; please contact Annie Blaise at ablaise@bytelevel.com or visit www.bytelevel.com/.

About Byte Level Research

Byte Level Research, headquartered in Escondido, California, is the worlds leading authority on Web and content globalization. Serving many of the worlds largest multinationals and their vendors, Byte Level has pioneered a number of Web globalization best practices. Clients have included Intel, John Deere, TRADOS, and Lionbridge. John Yunker, president of Byte Level, is author of the bestselling book Beyond Borders: Web Globalization Strategies."

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