To succeed internationally and make your digital business grow faster, it is important to choose the right e-commerce platform. This is why we have developed a guide aimed at the B2C e-retailer looking to take the next step into new, international markets or those that are already established in new markets but encountered obstacles.
For more information, download our full guide here!
Endless digital possibilities
An online business encounters far less obstacles than what a physical store ever will. The digital aspect allows you to launch and establish in countries where it otherwise would be near impossible, or at least more challenging. However, despite the fact of not needing to consider things such as staff, premises, logistics and other brick-and-mortar issues, there are some things to keep in mind when expanding your online business into international markets.
- Start small and grow organically with the right e-commerce platform
An e-commerce platform with native functions for international operations is a shortcut to reaching more consumers without major investments. Using the same platform and marketing channels in several different markets helps streamline your work and makes your business more agile. With the right e-commerce platform, you can effectively manage things like languages, currencies and offer locally relevant delivery and payment options for your customers. With a platform that dynamically grows with your business you can stay focused on finding the right products and services to offer, without the hassle of managing a new platform for each country you choose to launch in. - Do a proper analysis of the market
You don't need to start off with a giant project collecting large amounts of facts and data, but you should make sure to acquire basic information such as: How many potential customers are there in the market?and Which channels are best for reaching them – does there seem to be an interest in your offer? It is also a good idea to map your competitors and get an understanding of the prices for products or services you plan to offer. Most often, you can find the information you need by searching online and visiting potential competitors' websites. In other cases, you can hire an analytics company to gather the information for you. They can also conduct customer surveys to really understand important driving factors. - Studying the culture and behavior of consumers in the country you wish to enter
Although you can quickly start your business in English, you will get an advantage by eventually adapting the language and tonality of your e-commerce business to each geographic market. As soon as you have the opportunity, make sure to localize texts and product descriptions, taking cultural differences into account. The more you understand the culture of a market, the easier it will be to convert your visitors to customers. - Comply with applicable laws and regulations
It may seem obvious that you need to comply with what is allowed in the country where you do business. But sometimes it can be challenging to find out what applies. Don’t worry, there is plenty of help available. For example, you can contact Business Sweden, which helps Swedish companies with international expansion. Within the EU, it is also relatively easy to find information on rules and regulations as many of them are the same in Member States.
Download our guide
Aimed at the B2C e-retailer, our guide is designed to help you quickly and easily get your business ready for an international expansion, and assist you in overcoming challenges along the way.