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.
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.
A local consultant can find possible business partners, or you have identified them yourself. But how to convince them to market and sell your products or services?
For this you need an export plan with a clear strategy and sufficient financial details.
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.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) e-commerce market is experiencing rapid growth and is poised to become a major hub for online retail in the Middle East. Here are some key details about the UAE e-commerce landscape:
Market Share: Dominant player in the UAE e-commerce market
Focus: Wide range of products across all categories
Amazon.ae, formerly Souq.com, offers a vast selection of products and leverages its advanced logistics network. The platform’s Prime service and customer-centric approach have contributed to its popularity among UAE consumers.
Market Share: Major local competitor to Amazon
Focus: Electronics, fashion, and home goods
Noon.com has quickly established itself as a significant player in the UAE e-commerce market. Backed by local investors, it offers a mix of international and regional brands, catering to local preferences.
Market Share: Leading online grocery platform
Focus: Groceries and household items
Carrefour’s online platform has gained traction, especially in the grocery segment. Its established brand presence and efficient delivery services have made it a popular choice for UAE residents.
Market Share: Prominent fashion e-tailer
Focus: Fashion and lifestyle products
Namshi specializes in fashion and accessories, offering a curated selection of local and international brands. Its focus on trendy, affordable fashion has made it popular among younger consumers.
Market Share: Leading electronics retailer
Focus: Consumer electronics and home appliances
Sharaf DG has successfully transitioned its strong offline presence to the online space. It offers a wide range of electronics and provides competitive prices and after-sales services.
The UAE e-commerce market is projected to reach USD 18.99 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.52% from 2024 to 2029. Key factors driving this growth include high internet penetration, a tech-savvy population, and government initiatives supporting digital transformation. The market is characterized by a shift towards mobile commerce, increasing adoption of digital payments, and a focus on customer experience and convenience.
Entering a new market is an investment. Finding partners, contracts, translations and marketing costs money and you may need additional working capital.
Only with a good plan with enough financial data you can convince banks and investors to fund you. We help you with the complete business case and documentation.
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.