Go Big, Go Global

Your E-commerce Business is Ready to go International

Never build what you can't support. In the case of expanding into foreign markets, the importance of this lesson cannot be understated.

Expansion is a good thing, but only when your bases are covered at home and you are operating at optimal capacity. Your processes have to be perfected and scalable before you break onto the international stage.

Have you done your homework on the region you've decided to expand into? Are you familiar with the culture and confident in your ability to communicate with your target demographic? Are they even interested in what you’re trying to sell them? These are questions you need to answer before you take the international leap.

Perfect your internal processes before you make the international leap.

Your Away Team is Strong

Regardless of your success at home, your team overseas has to be strong. This team includes your foreign logistics and target demographics in the new region.

Make sure the people integrating into your operation can handle and ship your goods in a way that lives up to your standards. Make sure your target customers can also live up to your expectations to support your new growth.

Empower local teams to handle marketing and community outreach to gain insights into your demographic to avoid social blunders.

Image via Shutterstock.com

Your Online Presence is Powerful

Customers have to be beating down your door before you take on the risk of expansion. There has to be more work to go around than you can handle before you bring more hands on deck.

There has to be high interest in your brand locally and a desire from international markets when you take the time to reach out.

Outreach is possible through online interaction and in-person at trade shows and conventions in which your brand has traction. Be an active member in your online community and show your face to familiarize with the customers and player within your niche.

Keep reading for more tips on expanding your e-commerce business internationally.

A NEW CHALLENGER?

An Autonomous Checkout Startup Helps Retail Compete

With the expansion of Amazon’s cashier-less pay as you “Go” locations, big name retailers are looking for ways to adapt to this next phase in consumer selling. Where the largest retailers saw a shift, the startup company Standard Cognition saw an opportunity.

Recently, Standard Cognition purchased the self-driving car company Explorer.ai in an attempt to capitalize on its already developed tracking system. This tech allows them to track moving customers and inventory in a space comparable to the size of a large retail location.

This may prove to be advantageous for brick-and-mortar retailers that struggle with dense foot- traffic during the Q4 holiday rush. Standard Cognition co-founder and CEO Jordan Fisher believes his company is first in line for something that can change to course of retail. Growing trends in consumerism and e-commerce show he may be right.

Image via Forbes.com