Survey reveals websites are ignoring EU

Date: 28/03/02

By Peter Chapman

US-DOMINATED multinationals' websites are ignoring the needs of EU customers, according to a study by consultancy giant APCO. It showed that more than 75 of the world's 50 largest companies do not have a corporate website that focuses on Europe as a distinct region.

The findings coincide with an agreement by EU telecom ministers on plans for the '.eu' internet domain name - seen as a way for companies to highlight their European credentials. The European Commission is launching a public tender for a company to oversee the operation of the system, which officials hope will rival the US '.coms'.

Mark Dober, head of APCO's internet arm, said: 'There are now some 171 million Europeans online. Companies doing business in Europe need to establish a dialogue with their stakeholders online,' he added.

The report reveals that less than a third of the biggest firms have a phone number for their European headquarters on their corporate websites and the majority do not have non-English language sections. Firms also failed to answer e-mails requests for information on their European operations within a week.

US-dominated multinationals' websites are ignoring the needs of EU customers, according to a study by consultancy firm APCO.