It’s Canada Day, so let’s talk Canadian conversions and your
company’s potential for international business. In 2012, The Canadian Internet
Use Survey reported that 56% of Canadians used the Internet to make online
purchases. Of that 56%, the survey stated that 63% of them ordered from a
United States-based company. So, if you think Canadian internet shoppers
shouldn’t be a part of your online
marketing strategy, you may want to rethink incorporating them as a target.
4 specific industries that benefit from directing online marketing
efforts to Canada:
Travel - According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 23 million
Canadians spent a whopping $27.2 billion dollars in 2014, on traveling to and
within the United States.
Retail - eMarketer reported that Canadian retail e-commerce
sales reached $22.97 billion last year and they are expecting that amount to
rise 16.8% this year.
Software and Technology – Much of Canada’s language and
culture is parallel with that of the United States. Therefore, U.S.-based software
and technology companies that choose to market online to Canada have much to
gain from their northern clients.
Machinery – According to U.S. Government statistics,
U.S.-based companies exported a combined $124 billion worth of machinery to
Canada in 2013. This machinery included automobiles and other vehicles like
trackers and heavy machinery.
Before marketing online in Canada, U.S. companies should do their research and pay attention to significant differences in Canadian dialect of English, and the use of measurements. For example, in the U.S. we use the word “color” while Canadians use the word “colour”. We use miles to measure distance and Canadians use kilometres.
