If you have a software product, a service that can be delivered from abroad or a physical product that people don’t mind waiting for, you can do business internationally directly from your own country.
Our local consultant can advise you on the best way to enter the market and to find and approach relevant web shops, or set up your own online shop.
As counts for any country: you first have to define the target group that you want to sell to. If these are businesses, then you can reach out directly through emails and targeted advertisements, e.g. on LinkedIn. If this arouses interest and gives a sufficient response rate, then you may have found an easy way to get the market’s attention.
If your target group is more diffuse, or is a consumer group, then you have to rely more on advertising such as on Facebook or Instagram.
With the tooling of our partner Instantly.ai you can define your target group, whether it’s 50 or 50.000 people. Send them a sequence of emails, directly in their inbox, for typically under 10 dollarcents per persoon.
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.
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.
For targeting a country you may need website translations that go beyond Google translate. You can do this with WPML.
WPML is a Wordpress plugin that helps you set up different translations of your web pages. This can be with automated translations, but you can also choose to have manual or adjusted translations or even specific content on the language pages.
Customers who see prices and can pay in their local currency are three times more likely to deal with you. So it makes sense to offer this option.
Credit card payments typically work best up to an amount equivalent to 500 USD or EUR. If the invoicing amount is higher, there often is a different internal procedure required.
Stripe combines various payment methods available in a country, even including direct bank payments and after pay. This way the barrier for your clients to do business is low.
First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.
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.
Getting your products imported and delivered in a specific country can be a challenge. I have good experience with Tecex, who can act as your importer of record and even physical distributor. If you leave your details, they will contact you.
The German e-commerce market is one of the largest in Europe, valued at €98.31 billion in 2024 and projected to reach €145.96 billion by 2029. Here are some of the main webshops and e-commerce platforms in Germany:
Market Share: Dominates with 559.92 million monthly visits
Focus: Wide range of products across all categories
Amazon.de leads the German e-commerce market with its vast product selection, Prime delivery service, and advanced fulfillment options. It offers robust seller tools and analytics, making it attractive for businesses of all sizes. The platform’s customer-centric approach and efficient shipping contribute to its popularity[1][2].
Market Share: Second most visited with 120.36 million monthly visits
Focus: Auction and fixed-price sales, diverse product range
eBay Germany combines auction and immediate sales formats, catering to individual sellers, small businesses, and large corporations. The platform’s wide range of products and established user base make it a significant player in the German e-commerce landscape[2][8].
Market Share: One of Germany’s largest e-commerce companies
Focus: Fashion, lifestyle, and home products
Otto, originally a mail-order business, has successfully transitioned to e-commerce. It offers a strong focus on fashion and home goods, with a multichannel retail approach. The platform is known for its established brand trust among German consumers and customer-friendly return policy[1][5].
Market Share: Leading online fashion retailer
Focus: Fashion and lifestyle products
Zalando has established itself as a dominant force in the German fashion e-commerce sector. The platform offers a wide range of clothing, shoes, and accessories from various brands, catering to fashion-conscious consumers[1][5].
Market Share: Over 98 million monthly visits
Focus: Price comparison and product information
Idealo positions itself as both a comparison website and an e-commerce platform. It enables customers to find the best-priced products across various categories, including electronics, sports, home and garden, and more. The platform also provides detailed product information, allowing sellers to highlight specific features and benefits of their offerings[2][4].
The best preparation for doing business in any country is visiting it. This way you can experience the culture, check the shops and build your network.
With Trip.com you can compare flights and also book your hotel.
Hotellook compares different hotel sites so you always have the best rate.
Localrent connects you to national rental car providers per country.
