To grow your ecommerce business internationally, leverage larger markets like the US first due to their sheer size and lower competition compared to saturated markets like the UK. This episode offers practical advice on navigating the complexities of international selling, including logistics, compliance, and payment processing, to effectively expand your reach and unlock significant sales opportunities.
Key takeaways
Consider launching new products in larger markets like the US first due to their market size (e.g., Amazon US is 10x Amazon UK) and potentially lower competition compared to your home market.
Start international shipping by fulfilling orders from your home warehouse to test demand, then transition to local fulfillment services like Amazon FBA or Pan-European FBA for a better customer experience as sales grow.
Be aware of the 'generous' currency conversion rates applied by platforms like Shopify and PayPal for international transactions, as these can significantly impact your profit margins.
Prioritize understanding and complying with local regulations and tax laws (e.g., VAT, EPR numbers) in target markets, as non-compliance can lead to account suspension or legal issues.
Leverage marketplaces like Amazon (available in ~20 countries and managed from one account) and localize your own website with tools like Shopify Markets to effectively reach international customers.
Research niche local marketplaces (e.g., Cdiscount in France, Allegro in Poland) that might be highly relevant to your product category and offer less competition than global giants.
This episode of the How to Grow your eCommerce Business Podcast covers strategies, insights, and success stories to help you scale your eCommerce business globally. This episode is sponsored by the multi-channel eCommerce consultancy VendLab (www.vendlab.com) Topics covered: Advantages of international trade
Grow sales by up to 50%
- Reach new audience
- Grow sales
- Less price competitive Disadvantages
- Customer service issues
- Shipping times
- Currency conversion
- Compliance
- VAT registrations
- Duty
- Fragile items Types of international trade
- Simple
- Advanced
Shipping options
- Ship from domestic location
- Local fulfilment
- Special mention: FBA and Pan-EU FBA What the major international sales channels
- Amazon
- eBay
- Google Shopping
- Local sites - Cdiscount, Bol.com Google Shopping
- Can do this all from the same Merchant centre/Google Ads
- Multi-language feed
- Localisation of website
- Accept multiple currencies Amazon
- Works same in every country
- Automatic translation
- Combined EU and NA accounts
- Remote FBA
- Pan-EU FBA
What does this episode say about amazon & marketplaces?
Consider launching new products in larger markets like the US first due to their market size (e.g., Amazon US is 10x Amazon UK) and potentially lower competition compared to your home market.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Start international shipping by fulfilling orders from your home warehouse to test demand, then transition to local fulfillment services like Amazon FBA or Pan-European FBA for a better customer experience as sales grow.
What does this episode say about shopify & ecommerce platforms?
Be aware of the 'generous' currency conversion rates applied by platforms like Shopify and PayPal for international transactions, as these can significantly impact your profit margins.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Prioritize understanding and complying with local regulations and tax laws (e.g., VAT, EPR numbers) in target markets, as non-compliance can lead to account suspension or legal issues.
What does this episode say about amazon & marketplaces?
Leverage marketplaces like Amazon (available in ~20 countries and managed from one account) and localize your own website with tools like Shopify Markets to effectively reach international customers.
