Expanding e-commerce into new markets is a natural step for many growing businesses. However, many encounter issues related to costs and technical barriers when considering this move. In this post, we will discuss how you can overcome two of the obstacles in international e-commerce: the costs of localization and technical challenges.
Localization Costs of Your e-commerce: How to save time and money
Many businesses hesitate due to the costs associated with adapting their operations for multiple markets. Localization involves more than just translating your website. To succeed, you also need to adapt payment methods, product ranges, and comply with local laws and regulations. Making these adjustments can feel overwhelming and expensive, but there are ways to reduce costs and streamline the process.
By using a platform that supports easy internationalization, you can save both time and money. Learn more about how Didriksons successfully scaled their international e-commerce.
Cost-effective translations with AI
One solution to make the translation process more cost-efficient and faster is to use AI technologies. With the help of artificial intelligence, companies can automate the translation of product descriptions and other content, saving both time and money. AI-based translation tools can quickly handle large volumes of text and ensure that translations are accurate and contextually relevant. Moreover, AI can identify and eliminate duplicate content, further improving your website’s visibility in search engines and increasing the chances of higher conversions. By integrating AI into your localization strategy, you can optimize workflows and free up resources that would otherwise be used for manual translations, allowing your business to focus on growing in new markets.
Watch our webinar where you’ll learn how to use AI to streamline how you work with product descriptions and translations.
System support for international expansion is key to success
What is really required to succeed in new international markets? The answer largely lies in the technical system support your digital commerce platform offers to enable international growth, in the form of a globalization framework and an efficient PIM system (Product Information Management).
Without this system support, internationalization risks becoming a technical and administrative challenge. Every new market can lead to isolated system solutions where the same work needs to be duplicated and managed individually for each market—whether it’s product information, prices, or content. Manually creating copies of products or adjusting content for each market quickly becomes a bottleneck that slows down company growth. This leads to inefficiency and high costs when the same technical work has to be redone over and over.
A PIM system is crucial for managing the increased complexity that comes with globalization. By having all product information centralized and well-structured, you can easily adapt products to different markets and channels without duplicating work. This allows you to quickly and consistently update information across all markets at the same time, increasing efficiency and ensuring a unified customer experience.
Larger companies that manage extensive product databases and websites will soon discover that without the right system support, it’s difficult to keep up with market demands and competition. With every new market comes complexity that makes it harder to manage and administer, which prevents rapid expansion.
With a globalization framework and a PIM system, you can centralize your work and make changes that immediately reflect across all markets, with the only adjustments being language or currency. This saves time, reduces administrative costs, and enables you to act faster and more efficiently.
Read more: How Litium supports companies in their international expansion.
Optimal language and currency support for global e-commerce
What should a globalization framework include?
1. Language support
A good system must handle multilingualism efficiently. By having integrated tools for language management, you ensure that all markets have correct and updated information without duplicating work. A central workflow for translations saves both time and resources.
2. Currency support
Customers expect to shop in their local currency. Therefore, it is crucial that your system can handle multiple currencies smoothly, without manual adjustments for each market. Built-in currency support allows you to launch faster in new markets without additional development time.
Technical integration: How to manage different markets efficiently
Different markets often require different technical solutions and integrations. This can involve integrating with local payment solutions, handling different data structures, or adapting your system to local rules and regulations. Flexible system support facilitates integrations and helps you manage the complexity of various systems in a smooth way.
Customized payment solutions for international e-commerce
Just as with currencies, preferences for payment methods vary from market to market. A global system should therefore be able to handle a variety of payment solutions. Payment systems must be adjustable by country and channel, allowing you to offer a tailored payment experience that maximizes conversions.
Build a strong foundation for international e-commerce growth
In summary, a strong globalization framework is not just a tool to reduce technical and administrative barriers—it is a prerequisite for growing quickly and efficiently in new international markets. By investing in a platform with robust globalization support, you create a future-proof structure that enables you to scale your business while maintaining efficiency and control.
Want to take the next step in your internationalization? Check out our guide to successful internationalization, where we take a closer look at opportunities and challenges, and provide tips on the aspects that should be considered.
Or contact us if you want to talk more.