A push of a button. That’s all it takes in Shopify to launch your webshop in a new market. But when the barrier to entry is getting lower by the hour, why is the barrier to success getting higher?
The competition is increasing, and it takes even more to stand out and win consumers’ trust. So, what exactly is required to succeed? A great product and a great consumer experience.
But don’t think you can neglect the latter. A recent study by Shopify states that to 88% of consumers, the shopping experience is just as important as the product or service , and this trend is only growing.
The two foundational T’s
Tools and teams. You need your foundation to succeed in going international and selling online.
With a plethora of e-commerce tools at your disposal, you can focus less on building from scratch and more on what you do best: delivering an outstanding product and customer experience.
Rather than going tech-first, you should go experience-first. Consider how you want to present your brand to customers and choose your tech stack accordingly. This is exactly what you would do for your offline experiences: How does my store look, what am I selling, where is my store located, and how do I promote it?
For example, if you’re a high-end brand entering a new market, an email marketing system can help you build relationships with potential customers, guiding them from browsing to buying.
Ask yourself, "What do I want to tell and offer my customers online?" Then, build your tech stack around those answers.
Besides tools, you also need a team to enrich your customer experience. No matter if your team is internal or external, you need to be able to meet and help customers before, during, and after their purchase. Perhaps, even add some AI tools that can help you scale your efforts.
Tech is table stakes; content sets you apart from the rest
82% of customers are more likely to be loyal if they experience great UX. Again, Shopify brings these insights. And the e-commerce platform is partly responsible for raising those expectations among customers.
Everyone can launch a Shopify webshop. This is why you need something else to set you apart: the customer experience. And online, a significant component of the customer journey is content. Content that tells a captivating story.
Summerbird, the Danish premium chocolate brand, is one of those who’ve succeeded in this. They’ve created a chocolate-covered universe for fans and followers, mirroring the quality of products in an immersive brand experience online. You can participate in exclusive events and access limited editions through their online shop. Thanks to the beautiful pictures and videos, you can almost sense the product online before it meets your taste buds.
Did I mention that Summerbird uses Shopify as part of its tech stack?
5 steps before you go live
Right. How about a checklist if you’re considering scaling internationally through your e-commerce?
Before you press publish, can you confirm the following questions?
1. Are all the basics in order? Like, where are you shipping from? Do all of your products meet the legal requirements in the market?
2. Is your team in place to handle clients in the new market?
3. Do your photos and videos tell the right story (in a market where people don’t know your brand)?
4. Can you measure whether your launch is successful with specific and clear goals?
5. Do you have a plan in place post-launch to measure, evaluate, and implement feedback?
Did you get five yeses in a row? Great, happy launching!
This piece was originally published in Danish retail media DetailWatch .
