PayPal Stories Archive

According to UKTI research it’s over 11% more likely that your business will survive if you make sales overseas. If you sell directly to your customers (and 90 per cent of businesses do) you need to ensure you understand the markets you are exporting to.

 

Even if you’re confident that international buyers will love your product, you’ll still need to speak their language if you’re going to attract them and then hold their attention on your site. We all know how frustrating it is when we find something online but the description is impossible to read or we can’t convert to our own currency when we go to pay. Not only does it stop that customer coming back to the site, it’s more likely to lead to mix-ups, which mean a higher level of returns.

 

PayPal’s hand-picked partners and offers and our top tips to going global can help you take your business to the next step and expand abroad:

 

Tip #3: Localise your site.

 

Adapt your content carefully. Being sensitive to different market needs is one of the most important parts of customer service when you’re thinking of opening up your site to international customers. Provide local translations of company and product descriptions, as well as your terms and conditions. Professional translation services will help your site maximise sales in each market.

 

Although it’s a really important first step, remember that localisation isn’t just about getting the language right. It involves everything from making sure the design and content has been adapted for different cultures, to choosing the right web domain. You also need to make sure you are targeting local search engines and using the right keywords that get your website in front of the right people.

 

Most of all don’t forget about that all important sale. Make sure you include currency conversions for your products. This will make your site more credible, making customers more likely to buy. With PayPal you can list and accept 26 currencies on your website.

 

By using our partners your customers can contact you by phone or email in their local language – the ultimate sign that you are committed to all your customers’ needs, wherever they are. To find out more, take a look at PayPal’s PassPort.