In recent years we have witnessed a major eCommerce expansion, especially with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. At first, even more brands were forced to switch to online sales, but now it’s become more of a matter of convenience.
For a developed local business, this means easier access to the global market. And global expansion, if managed correctly, inevitably leads to more customers and business growth.
Still, if you wish to take your eCommerce business to the global stage, there are certain things to consider. Here are five tips to help you establish your brand’s presence globally.
Use LinkedIn
Even though LinkedIn isn’t primarily meant for sales, you can still use many of its benefits to expand your business globally. Great marketing is a huge part of any business growth, and LinkedIn can be an excellent space for building solid international ground for your brand.
By posting regularly on this platform, you can gain more positive reviews and customer engagement and, as a result, see more sales. Moreover, using LinkedIn for eCommerce can help you reach both potential new clients and employees all over the world.
Once you realize how much more revenue your brand can secure, you’ll be able to determine exactly how important LinkedIn is for global expansion. Additionally, marketing will become easier because you’ll be aware of your weak points and learn how to neutralize them.
Localize your efforts
Nowadays, the increase in eCommerce sales means that competition is greater than ever. For your brand, this is a sign to improve wherever you can and continuously work on adapting your eCommerce website.
It’s easy to get lost in translation when you target an international audience. However, if you want your brand to succeed internationally, you’ll have to cater to everybody’s needs.
Localization is vital if you want to increase sales on the global stage. In fact, research has shown that 72.4% of global consumers prefer to use their native language when shopping online.
Keep in mind that a truly localized website doesn’t just have the main text in a particular language. If you want to see an increase in sales, you should localize the entire website, from the text on your website to the images and the currencies you use.
Customers recognize effort, and they are more likely to stay loyal to brands that show them how important they are. Moreover, localizing your content makes you more approachable to potential customers.
Use your eCommerce platform wisely
Creating a solid eCommerce platform is key to finding global success. To do so, you’ll have to evaluate your website, mark its weak points, and work towards overcoming them.
A solid online platform also helps you make informed decisions in your marketing strategy because you’ll become more aware of your customers’ needs.
It’s important to stay mindful of who your audience is. You want to use localization as one of your main tools to improve your eCommerce platform, which means keeping local holidays, customs, and habits in mind.
Your brand is sure to see a global expansion if your clients give positive feedback. Strong business relationships and regular clients are extremely important for your brand’s success.
If you wish for your brand to succeed globally, you’ll have to keep up with the changes and adapt your platform continuously.
Adapt payment options
When targeting an international audience, you should be aware that customers from different countries may prefer different payment options. It’s a good idea to add different ways to pay for your products so your potential customers will be given a choice that could ultimately decide whether they make a purchase or not.
Understanding different points of view is crucial, especially if you wish to see an increase in revenue. Do your research for each specific country you’re targeting. Some may consider credit cards as the number one option, while others are more inclined to use PayPal or they prefer payment upon delivery.
Even if a potential customer mostly uses credit cards to pay, they’ll still be impressed with your customer service if they see more options. Furthermore, you might lose a customer’s attention if their preferred payment option isn’t available.
Focus on customer service
Great marketing is a huge part of success, but providing satisfactory customer service might be even more important. Clients who feel appreciated by the brand come back and choose your product or service over your competitor’s.
Localization plays a key role in your customers’ satisfaction too. They are more likely to form a strong bond with your brand if they see how much effort you put into making it successful. Providing information in their native language creates an immediate bond with potential customers and separates you from the competition.
Additionally, don’t forget that your product isn’t the only thing you provide. Timely delivery, following custom clearance with the help of importer of record and excellent problem-solving skills also show your customers how serious your brand is.
Final thoughts
Although going global might not be an easy task, if you keep these tips in mind and stay consistent in your search for international success, your eCommerce business will surely see a profit.
If you’re still having trouble with how exactly to make your brand stand out in the global market, it’s a good idea to start slowly and then work your way up by applying more and more proven strategies.