Selling internationally can be a lucrative opportunity for businesses looking to expand their customer base and increase sales. However, navigating the complexities of international markets can be daunting. Thankfully, Shopify provides a solution - Shopify Markets. In this guide, I will show you just how easy it is to set up Shopify Markets and start selling internationally.
Shopify Markets is a feature that allows you to target specific countries and customize your online store settings accordingly. With Shopify Markets, you can easily set up tax rates, shipping rates, payment options, and even domain names for each market you want to sell in.
To begin setting up Shopify Markets, go to your Shopify dashboard and navigate to the "Settings" tab. Within the settings, you will find the option for "Markets." Click on it to start customizing your international selling settings.
Once you're in the Shopify Markets section, you'll see a list of countries where you can set up your international presence. By default, your primary market will be set as your own location, but you can easily add additional markets.
For example, let's say your primary market is in Latvia, but you want to expand to the United States as well. You can simply add the United States as an international market and customize the settings accordingly.
Now that you've added a market, let's dive into the various settings you can customize.
Collecting taxes is an important aspect of selling internationally. In the Shopify Markets settings, you can specify the tax rates for each market. Whether you are required to charge taxes or not, it's essential to add the relevant tax information to ensure compliance with local regulations.
Shipping costs can significantly impact your international sales. In the Shopify Markets settings, you can customize shipping rates for each market. For example, if you're shipping products from Europe to the USA, you may find that the shipping costs are quite expensive. In such cases, you can adjust the shipping rates accordingly, taking into consideration factors like product weight and size.
Not all products may be suitable for every market. In the Shopify Markets settings, you have the option to include or exclude specific products for each market. This allows you to tailor your product offerings based on market demand, regulations, or shipping constraints.
When it comes to payments, you can customize the options available for each market. For example, in some markets, you may choose to enable only specific payment methods or disable others. Carefully consider the payment preferences of your target market and set up the options accordingly.
It's worth noting that specific payment options may vary depending on your Shopify plan, so be sure to check the availability before making your selections.
To establish a strong online presence in each market, you can add personalized domain names for each country. For instance, if you're selling in Germany, having a domain ending with ".de" can help establish trust and credibility among German consumers.
Including localized domain names adds a level of familiarity and increases the chances of attracting customers from your target market.
To further enhance the user experience, you can integrate geolocation apps into your Shopify store. These apps track the user's location based on their IP address and provide customized messages based on their location.
For example, if a visitor from the United States enters your store, a pop-up message can inform them about shipping details, payment options in their local currency (euros, in this example), and any other relevant information specific to their country.
To truly cater to international customers, it is essential to provide a seamless shopping experience in their native language. In the Shopify Markets settings, you can leverage apps like Shopify Translate and Adapt to add multiple languages for each specific market.
By offering localized language options, you remove language barriers and create a more inclusive shopping environment for your international customers.
Setting up Shopify Markets is just the beginning of your international selling journey. It's important to continuously assess the effectiveness of your international strategies and make adjustments as needed.
Monitor your sales data and track the performance of each market. If certain markets aren't yielding the desired results, you can explore alternatives like currency converters provided by apps such as Libautech
Remember, expanding into international markets requires ongoing dedication and effort, but with the right tools and strategies, it can be a rewarding endeavor.
Shopify Markets empowers businesses to tap into the immense potential of international markets. By customizing settings for each market, you can optimize your tax rates, shipping costs, payment options, and even domain names. Additionally, incorporating geolocation apps and language localization ensures a seamless user experience for customers around the world.
If you're looking to expand your business globally, consider setting up Shopify Markets and start selling internationally. Embrace the opportunities that await in new markets, and with perseverance and strategic planning, you can achieve international success.
Remember, if you have any questions along the way, reach out for support. Happy selling!
