Ian
Here is the secret recipe for your business to grow globally.
1. Localization
Based on the customer’s geographical position, localize your website. This gives the customer a sense of trust, familiarity and comfort. Display rates in local currency and facilitate country friendly preferred payment methods. While Americans prefer paying with credit cards, many people from other countries have other means of payment: Net transfer, debit cards, Carte Bleue etc.
Similarly, people have different tastes across nations. Pastel shade apparel might be a big hit in certain places. Magenta might be a rage someplace else. There are other sensitivities that matter.
So, merchandise needs to be diversified according to tastes. Start researching before you introduce your merchandise to a country. Start slow with one or two countries and then expand.
2. Shipping by weight
When you start shipping globally, make sure you test waters with lighter products. They cost less to ship overseas and can often be packed in carrier’s free shipping supplies. This minimizes your operational costs. And you get a first-hand experience of how it is to sell overseas. But also remember that long shipping times and multiple handlers can damage your package goods.
So, you need to pack it right. Run endurance tests on the package, make sure your package can handle the stress and reach the recipient safely.
3. Do groundwork on legal issues
Certain products are banned in certain countries. So, understand what can be sold legally across countries. It might surprise you that products like nail polish, fresh fruits, vegetables, cigarettes, medical devices, cell phones and jewellery are regulated goods in multiple places. Either, they cannot be sold or they require additional documentation. It might sound funny but Romania doesn’t allow Scrabble boards to be shipped in to the country. UPS and FedEx have a list of products that are banned in specific nations.
4. Custom information
Selling and shipping overseas require a few additional forms that aren’t required with domestic shipping. You will find it easier when you keep info ready to be filled in. List the contents of your shipment entirely. Make sure you don’t write copiously because the space provided in these forms is very sparse. You need to furnish information like origin of your goods, HTS codes etc. There are ecommerce shipping software that can help you out with all this. With them, printing labels is a breeze.
5. Address it right!
Simple, right? But this is very important. Pay attention to the address as international addresses can be confusing. An erroneous address can delay the shipment and harm your reputation. Before you accept the order, get the recipient addresses, including phone numbers and zip codes. The full country name should be listed on the last line of the address, as is the norm.
