Find clients and sell your products in Europe

Finding clients abroad is always a challenge, and business development in Europe is not different. You need the right contacts and once you reach the decision maker, you need the right sales pitch.

A lot of companies that want to enter the market in Europe do this with their general sales pitch. However, if you don't know the local regulations, pricing levels and your competition's product, sales meetings may be difficult to conclude successfully.

How to sell your product or service in Europe?

With over 700 million inhabitants who are relatively affluent Europe offers a huge potential to sell your goods or services. But Europe is not one market, it consists of 44 countries, ranging from huge territories like Germany to small islands like Malta.

Business etiquette in (Western) Europe

In Europe, punctuality is highly valued, so always strive to arrive on time for meetings and appointments. Handshakes are the customary form of greeting, usually firm but not overly aggressive. Maintaining eye contact during conversations demonstrates sincerity and attentiveness. Business attire tends to be conservative and formal, so dress sharply to make a good impression. Additionally, respecting personal space is important, so avoid standing too close or touching colleagues unnecessarily. Lastly, business discussions often involve thorough analysis and decision-making processes, so be prepared for detailed negotiations and expect a focus on building long-term relationships rather than quick deals.

South European business culture

In South Europe, encompassing countries like Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, relationships are paramount in business dealings. Building trust and establishing personal connections often precede formal negotiations. Business meetings frequently take place over meals or coffee, providing an opportunity for informal conversation and relationship-building. It’s common for discussions to be lively and passionate, reflecting the expressive nature of these cultures.

What business culture to expect in East Europe?

In East Europe, including countries such as Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and Hungary, business culture is characterized by a blend of formality and informality. While relationships are important, there is often a greater emphasis on professionalism and competency in business dealings. Meetings tend to be more structured and formal, with an expectation of punctuality and adherence to agendas. Business attire is typically conservative, and it’s essential to maintain a professional demeanor throughout interactions. Decision-making processes may be more centralized, with authority often resting with top executives or government officials.

VAlidate the HS-codes you use for shipping

Almost every country or trade block in the world has its own detailing on the international HS-code list. With our report you strongly reduce the risk on misclassifications, delays and higher custom duties than expected.

Tell us what you want to ship and where to and we ask you all relevant questions to get to the most likely code.

Translate your website and check your SEO

Even if your business is really international, it may be wise to set up local website translations and check whether your text aligns with the culture.

This also counts for Europe and its inhabitants. People prefer reading in their own language and also search most of the time in their own language. Therefore you need to include the relevant keywords in your texts, and these may not be a direct translation.

With regards to content, my personal experience is that if you have a successful blog topic in one language, it is likely to do well also in other languages. Don’t reinvent the wheel, just make a proper translation.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need them to get delivered into Europe. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. This can be complex if you don’t have your own legal entity in the country.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.