With competition fiercer than ever and consumers becoming increasingly demanding and product-savvy, expanding to other countries is something to seriously consider. As you may have already guessed, making this decision involves more than just getting your infrastructure configured to accept international payments. Now that you are expanding to other countries, you need to find some tried-and-true methods that will help you to spread your brand far and wide so that you can begin increasing your profits.

1. Ask the right questions.

Payment processing for ecommerce businesses will allow you to stretch your business to encompass the global marketplace, but not laying the correct groundwork is like setting off for a week-long hike in the mountains in November without the proper equipment. In both cases, you could quickly find yourself in a world of trouble. Before launch, you should establish a strong foundation based on thorough research.

Well in advance of making any commitments, get satisfactory answers to the following questions.

• Where do I want to sell my products?
• Is there sufficient interest in the merchandise I carry?
• What is my existing competition like?
• What local and cultural preferences and variations do I need to be aware of when marketing my products?

Upon getting answers, you can begin to clearly see who your target audience will be in each region. Only then can you actually start to develop a customized marketing plan that will attract overseas shoppers to your website and keep them coming back.

2. Fit your brand to your customers.

Whether you are marketing merchandise to people around the corner or around the world, you have numerous competitors who are just as eager as you are to attract the attention of shoppers. Not to mention, when you sell globally, your challenge becomes even greater because of the unfamiliarity factor. Let’s face it: Money is at a premium for most people, and the majority of customers are very careful about where they are spending it. In short, there better be a good motivator for them to fork over their yen, pesos, or euros to an international shop when there are so many local alternatives.

For that reason, it’s your job to help overseas shoppers feel comfortable with your business and trust your brand. Two of the best ways to make this happen are to put your text content in your customers’ native languages and to provide them with the ability to pay using their local currencies. Additionally, be sure you are familiar with the regional payment preferences as they vary from country to country.

3. Make sure everyone can easily talk to each other.

Running an international business involves more than just you in a dialogue with your customers. In addition, there are distributors, suppliers, sales reps, and even banks and other financial institutions involved. Of course, email is sufficient to satisfy many of your basic communications needs. However, it can be impersonal and inefficient, especially when time zone differences are in play. Consequently, you should also look into online video conferencing options through platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

4. Don’t forget about the benefits of in-person meetings.

Since the pandemic burst on the scene in 2020, business owners have come to view physical travel as an option as opposed to a necessity. With the world finally starting to open up once again, you should consider the benefits of face-to-face contact with your local sales staff in the countries you serve. We humans are social creatures, and a great deal of bonding and productivity can occur when you are actually in the same room with the folks abroad to whom your business is connected.

5. Collaborate.

Although you are entering the international marketplace to sell a specific set of products or services, that doesn’t mean you need to do it alone. One way to jump-start your global success is to either purchase or partner with a small business that is already established in your new sales area.

It comes back to the trust factor that we previously discussed. When you attach your name to a company that your potential customers already know and feel comfortable with, you have jumped over many hurdles without much effort at all. You can also use this contact as a resource when hiring staff in the local area and seeking third-party vendors.

6. Find multiple ways to sell your products overseas.

As the owner of an ecommerce enterprise, you already know the importance of having a website that is clear, thorough, and easy to navigate. It’s a fine balance to create a site that is rich with information without being cluttered or overwhelming. However, doing so is at least as important when you are selling globally as it is when running a smaller domestic operation.

Even the best and most consumer-friendly website will, however, come to nothing if people don’t know about it. For that reason, establishing a social media presence that expands to encompass your international customers is an absolute must. To do this, you need to tap into the intelligence you have already gathered about your target market. Then, craft your text and visual content to draw them in. If all of this seems too overwhelming, consider hiring someone to take care of your social media marketing; it just might pay for itself many times over.

Finally, you might want to hire local sales representatives to market to your foreign customers. When looking for the best person, seek someone who is intimately familiar with the local market and customer base. You can always teach them the details about your products later.

7. Understand the local laws and regulations.

Every country you expand to will have its own unique set of legal requirements and policies that you must learn about and follow. Pay special attention to product trademark laws, tax requirements, and security/privacy guidelines. As this task can be complex and carry with it high stakes, it’s not a bad idea to bring a local legal professional with relevant experience onboard.

Setting your sights on global customers is an exciting and ambitious proposition whose success hinges on thorough preparation, an open mind, and a willingness to enlist professional assistance when warranted. Remember, you don’t need to begin by marketing your entire catalog of merchandise. Start small, focusing only on one or two of your best and easiest-selling items, and take it from there. With patience, time, and the occasional collaboration with experts, you will soon find that your global ecommerce company is making a splash overseas!