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 Italian e-commerce market is rapidly expanding, driven by increased internet usage and a growing preference for online shopping. Here are some key details about the Italian e-commerce landscape:
Market Share: Dominant player in the Italian e-commerce market
Monthly Visits: Approximately 30 million
Amazon Italy leads the market with a vast selection of products across various categories, including electronics, fashion, and household items. Its Prime membership offers fast delivery and exclusive deals, making it a favorite among Italian consumers.
Market Share: Significant presence in the online auction and retail space
Monthly Visits: Around 10 million
eBay Italy combines auction-style listings with fixed-price sales, catering to both individual sellers and businesses. The platform is popular for unique items and collectibles, as well as a wide range of new products.
Market Share: Leading online fashion retailer in Italy
Monthly Visits: Approximately 8 million
Zalando specializes in fashion and lifestyle products, offering a wide selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories from various brands. Its strong focus on customer service and free returns enhances its appeal to fashion-conscious consumers.
Market Share: Major electronics retailer in Italy
Monthly Visits: About 5 million
Unieuro is known for its extensive range of consumer electronics and home appliances. The platform offers competitive prices and frequent promotions, making it a go-to destination for tech-savvy shoppers.
Market Share: Popular for books and media products
Monthly Visits: Approximately 2 million
IBS specializes in books, music, movies, and video games. It caters to avid readers and media enthusiasts, offering a wide selection of titles and competitive pricing.
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.
