Exporting presents an exciting opportunity for your business, particularly online. Not only can the internet introduce you to a global market, it also has the potential to fuel exceptionally fast growth. There are currently more than two billion internet users in 200 countries, with nearly 100 million of them in English-speaking countries. But how can you target these international customers? Selling abroad isn’t as complicated as you may think – we’ve compiled a simple set of steps to help you increase your visibility overseas.
Many companies still only deliver to the UK, with some not even reaching out to the islands and Highlands. By offering international delivery, you’ll instantly reach a global market. Provide information on shipping costs, taxes and duties and estimated arrival times for each country targeted.
When we asked overseas shoppers what was preventing them from buying from UK websites, most of them mentioned delivery charges. Therefore, it’s vital that retailers offer affordable delivery to overseas customers, otherwise they’re unlikely to buy. Other research also suggests that the cost of carriage should not exceed a third of the price of the goods, and that free delivery is an attractive option.
Because of the many websites that contain intimidating and punitive warnings suggesting that customs charges are prohibitive, lots of non-EU shoppers are worried about them. In fact, sales within the EU incur no customs charges at all.
It should be easy to take money from an online transaction. Most international buyers use MasterCard or Visa, and Maestro is another service becoming increasingly popular. You may also want to consider offering PayPal.
If you’ve identified a target market overseas that’s non-English speaking, translate your website and make sure it’s searchable in the target language.
Create a tool that will translate your prices into euros, dollars or the currency of your target markets.
Unless you’re targeting a country where a majority of the population can speak English (eg Sweden or the Netherlands), it’s important to offer some degree of support in the local language. Provide an email address, phone number or live chat support, and remember to consider time differences.
Make sure you understand the local pricing structures, service expectations and nuances of your target country.
Mike Josypenko, helpline and special projects director at the Institute of Export, shares his wisdom, answering your most common export questions – from cultural barriers to issues around company size.
At Parcelforce Worldwide, we’re committed to helping UK businesses grow. With lots of small and medium-sized companies looking to try their hand at exporting, we’re hoping our partnership with the government’s Exporting is GREAT campaign will give these businesses the advice and support they need to succeed on an international level.
Exporting can be a tricky process that comes with many challenges. From logistics and financing to regulations, there are various things you’ll need to think about before exporting. If you’re thinking about trading on an international scale, make sure you take the following into consideration.
What’s happening online and how it might impact your Christmas sales
Find out more about how Parcelforce Worldwide can support your business' growth. Whether you are sending in the UK or across the globe.
There were a record number of small businesses started during the pandemic; the 'Shop Local' advice of each lockdown has grown into shoppers' preferred buying method; and last Black Friday witnessed the boycotting of some of the world's biggest brands - including Amazon - with many independent retailers donating to charity and planting trees as part of a renewed drive against consumerism. All this has meant one thing for SMEs: growth. But this growth also means the competition is higher than ever.
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