On the surface, your decision to market your products to international customers may seem like a no-brainer. However, successful ecommerce that is focused on outside countries requires more than simply setting things up with an international payment processing company and waiting for the money to start rolling in. Incorporate these suggestions into your operations, and you will optimize your chances of flourishing no matter where your customers are.

Determine the best market.

You are most likely to thrive when you sell your products to the customers who will best respond positively to them. Your choice of where to begin your global selling should not just hinge on what market appears to be most lucrative in general terms. Additionally, consider factors such as the following.

• Local consumer culture.
• Language or languages spoken.
• Import or export licenses needed if applicable.
• Shipping costs to that area.
• Political and socio economic stability.
• Taxes and local regulations/requirements.

Conducting this careful research in advance will help to ensure that you and your buyers meet each other’s needs for optimal mutual benefits.

Localize your store.

Your headquarters might be thousands of miles away from where your international customers live, but they should feel like you are located in the house next door. Remember that they have numerous choices of where to spend their money, and you as a business have an uphill climb to earn their trust. When you are approachable, transparent, and easy to contact, many of their trepidations will disappear.

One of the most basic but compelling steps you can take is to offer multi currency payment processing. Think about it: Why would anyone choose to transact business in an unfamiliar monetary denomination where product prices are a mystery that requires a calculator and knowledge of international interchange fees when they could just as easily buy from someone based in their own country?

The best way to remove this obstacle is to accept your international customers’ preferred currencies. Configuring your shopping cart or payment gateway in this way will help to inspire trust since every aspect of the purchase will be clear and easy for your buyers to understand. Consequently, chargebacks will be reduced while the chances of long-term loyalty increase exponentially.

Another step you can take is to offer translation services. In some jurisdictions such as Quebec, this is actually required. In that Canadian province, for instance, you are mandated by law to provide all product information pages and email notifications in both French and English.

Only your most intrepid potential buyers will be willing to go through the mental gymnastics involved in converting product information from your language to theirs. Again, there is no need for a customer to endure this frustration when they can just as easily purchase what you are selling from a local vendor. But when you provide your content in your buyers’ native tongue, this difficulty goes away. Furthermore, providing help from local customer service representatives can provide clear, real-time answers to questions about products or company policies.

Choose payment methods carefully.

No doubt, you already know that you will want to set up your international store to take recognized credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Mastercard, etc. However, selling abroad requires that you further refine your offerings according to your customers’ unique preferences. Take time to learn about the individual preferences of your target market, and then consider expanding on them by offering a selection of additional services.

For instance, many sellers are now opting to augment the choices they provide with recurring billing. Increasingly, buyers are demanding both choice and personalization in all aspects of their shopping journeys, including how they settle their bill. The more you do to accommodate their preferences, the more satisfied they will be and the more likely to return in the future.

Understand tax and licensing regulations.

Like it or not, taxes and regulations are in effect regardless of where you do business. Having a complete comprehension of the costs and compliance expectations under which you will be operating is essential before you sell your first product. Understanding all of your financial and regulatory responsibilities well in advance is vital and should be a priority. If doing so means that you will be best served by hiring an expert familiar with your target area, consider the expense to be well worth the cost.

Implement a clear shipping and returns policy.

Any seller engaging in international ecommerce needs to pay special attention to their shipping and returns policies. When these are prominently displayed, easy to understand, and transparent, most problems can be either solved quickly or prevented altogether. Working with a fulfillment company in your target market area can be an effective way to streamline these processes.

Get the word out.

Social media is not just a U.S. phenomenon; it has been embraced by people young and old the world over. For that reason, you cannot afford to bypass the preferred social media forums of the customers you are looking to attract in your target market area.

To that end, use your detective skills to learn which sites are favored in the place where you are looking to expand. Then establish a presence there, and begin to take steps to create a buzz about your brand. By the time you actually offer merchandise for sale, you will have already planted the seeds for later success.

Expanding your customer base to include international buyers has the potential to be extremely lucrative. What’s more, it gives you an unparalleled opportunity to spread the word about your growing brand.

However, making the leap into selling abroad is not for the faint of heart. Success in this endeavor requires care in how you choose your target market, adapt your sales strategy, plan your operations and protocols and set up your site and services to gel with your customers’ wants and needs. Care and diligence as you lay the foundations of your business will maximize the chances that all of your hard work will eventually pay off in the form of happy customers, a sought-after brand and steadily increasing profits.