How many languages does it take for global businesses to stay competitive online? Websites must be available in dozens of languages, with English, Japanese, and German leading the pack of most valuable online languages.

According to independent market research firm Common Sense Advisory’s 2013 findings, it takes a minimum of 14 languages, which include Indonesian and Turkish, to get access to just over 80% of the total online population. To reach 80% of the economic opportunity, the research shows that online marketers need no less than nine languages, including Portuguese and Arabic. Global brands looking to appeal to 95% of the world’s online wallet will need 20 online languages.

“If companies want to achieve higher levels of international revenue, their web presences must be multilingual. The addressable economic potential using online communication now amounts to US$45 trillion, but English now only gives you access to a third of that total,” explains Common Sense Advisory senior analyst Ben Sargent. More.

See: The Sacramento Bee

See also The 116 Most Economically Active Languages Online

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