Scaling your International Shipping for your International Clientele

During times of slowed travel due to limitations and border shutdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, e-commerce has permitted consumers to buy international goods without having to travel abroad. Increasingly, e-commerce businesses are wishing to expand their international reach as more consumers want to spend money outside of their country. Over the course of 2020, a record number of consumers purchased goods manufactured in the United States. And as of October 2021, the global e-commerce market had reached 4.28 Trillion. In terms of overall e-commerce growth, we can conclude that international e-commerce is only going to increase in the future. 

E-commerce and international shipping can be lucrative businesses, but they are not simple undertakings. Those who are currently selling internationally know that there is more to it than simply listing products on a website. There are many ways to scale your business. Simply put, scaling your business means ensuring that you set the stage to enable and support its growth. In order to scale your business internationally, you must implement effective workflow, inventory and order management systems, and create a new marketing plan. A business's expansion internationally can be regarded as a dive into the deep end or as a dip into this type of situation. Be open to the idea, even if it is difficult. In most cases, international expansion will be worthwhile and rewarding for your company. 

Steps to Scaling your Business Internationally:

• Define a New Market

Your products may not be suitable for every international market. For example, if you wish to sell hot sauce, some spice-driven countries may have a highly saturated market, or another might not consume hot sauce at all. It’s important to do your research. Make the investment of time, resources, and money into determining what markets will be most profitable for you. You can't afford to invest money in advertising, inventory, and all the other things necessary to establish a business overseas and not sell even a single item. Define your target market clearly and be proactive. The best way to define a new market is to conduct extensive research. By being intentionally prepared, you will establish your business for success. 

• Make Sure your Website is Internationally Friendly 

Websites that cater to international consumers can take many forms. Perhaps the most famous international-friendly website is IKEA. After inquiring about the country from which items are being purchased, consumers are taken to a website with pricing in their currency and pricing structure that matches their market, with all descriptions and products in their native language. If you are going to enter the international e-commerce space you need to accommodate your shoppers. 

• Establish an Appropriate Customer Service System

In every country, "good customer service" is defined differently. It is a good idea to become familiar with the country's customs and customer service preferences. Additionally, it is important to keep customer service business hours that are specific to that country's time zone. Make yourself available to them. If you are starting out with a small quantity of inventory, then email customer service may be more appropriate. Depending on the volume of goods you sell, the number of customer service representatives and outputs you will need will vary. Invest in your customer service the way you invest in your sales. 

• Create an Organized and Clear Supply Chain 

In addition to providing better customer service, a clear supply chain benefits your company's budget and operational efficiency. Both locally and internationally, managing your supply chain can be challenging. Companies take a long time to find a supply chain they can rely on and when it is an international supply chain, it can be even more difficult. The cost of shipping and storing your goods for international shipping may vary depending on where you choose to do so. One option is to contact supply chain specialists to determine whether there are benefits to using a warehouse overseas, with a third-party logistics provider abroad, or by shipping directly from the US. It may be better to ship directly from the United States if you are only planning on shipping to a few countries with a modest inventory. 

There is a great deal that goes into international shipping. In addition to logistical considerations, marketing and financial considerations must also be taken into account. Importance should be placed on utilizing shipping solutions to reduce international shipping costs. DesktopShipper provides a robust shipping solution that eliminates manual processes by providing users with a shipping API to automate and streamline shipping operations as well as continue to optimize and save time on fulfillment. Ultimately, the purchase of some international products can be compared to that of luxury goods. International consumers are willing to pay a premium for superior products and services. For more information on international shipping, download our guide here.