In this article, we will talk about the technical side of expanding your e-commerce business in other countries.
We'll show you how to think beyond your traditional domain and give you a checklist to help make sure your website, e-commerce system, and checkout process is easy to use for visitors from other countries.
The technical aspect of expanding your e-commerce business in other countries
Let's go back to the assumption that you own an old store for Umm Kulthum music records in Egypt, and you became famous and started getting some orders from collectors from other countries.
Here is the perfect time to go global with your online sales! Let's look at what you need to do to succeed.
1- Step one: Language and local adaptation
We have a full lesson with more details on this topic, but here are the basics: If you start growing in an area that speaks another language you will need to translate your site, and it is probably best if this is done through a native speaker rather than machine translation services.
In addition to translation, local adaptation plays a key role in ensuring that content such as forms through which customers provide information or inquiries fit with local standards such as how addresses or phone numbers are written.
2- Step Two: Payments
Each country has different preferred payment methods, so you will need to research all the methods of the country you are targeting. But there are online payment services, such as “Paypal” and “Worldpay” that may be an easy solution around the world.
Remember that credit cards may not be available to some customers, so they may prefer to use such services or even debit cards.
You should also consider using an e-commerce system that adapts to different currencies and taxes, which helps customers pay without having to think about exchange rates or additional taxes.
Remember that when a customer does not have to do these calculations himself, the more likely they will be to buy.
3- Step Three: Revision
You have to devote time to looking at your entire site from the point of view of a visitor from another country, and examine the site impartially, as if you were a visitor from your target market making a purchase on your site, for example.
And always make sure that the site works well, that the terminology is accurate, the style is familiar, that the currencies are correct and the payment methods are appropriate?
And be sure to check back regularly to make sure everything is working as it should.
Summary
Being able to advertise to clients from international markets a potentially profitable opportunity, and making your site visitor-friendly, wherever they are, will help remove any barriers to selling.