Although it is a small continent geographically, Europe is one of the most powerful centers worldwide. In the past, Europe was renowned mainly for its strong manufacturing industries, such as electronics and automotive, among others, but now, the continent is also a driving force for the global digital economy.
Many leading economies in Europe, like the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway, have an ecommerce penetration rate of over 80%. Still, there are also some countries where this industry is slowly rising, as is the case of smaller economies like Poland, Greece and Portugal.
The ecommerce industry in Europe has grown massively in the last few years, and it is expected to reach $902.26 billion by 2027. This proves that the general trend of ecommerce in Europe is growing, which is why several companies have chosen to start their business in this domain.
Still, if you want to have a successful ecommerce business, you need to take into account many things. So, let’s explore together the best ways to expand your ecommerce company in Europe.
Identify a target demographic.
Selling online internationally is a huge objective, but first, you should identify a target demographic to have an increased chance of success. Not every nation will be interested in the products you offer, so before you decide to present your services to a new market, you need to conduct a study to know the demographics better. It is important not to make rush decisions and take your time when you identify your target market.
You need to decide what European markets are good for you for the best success rate. After establishing this criterion, you need to search for SEO services to increase your website’s visibility and attract new customers.
Find out what it sells well.
Because it has various countries, Europe is a continent with numerous cultures. This means that some patterns and goods can be more liked by some countries than others. This is why what works perfectly for the French people might not be the same for the Italians. With that in mind, you need to be careful with your products and services and ensure you develop new ones focused on the target audience or modify something from your old ones to fit your new audience better.
Reach the European market.
There are two ways in which you can expand your business to Europe. You can upgrade your existing store or open a new one on an online marketplace that encourages easy expansion. But, the easiest way to reach the European audience is to be present on an online marketplace, like Etsy, eBay or Amazon. This is especially beneficial for start-ups, as these websites have numerous incoming shoppers who make frequent purchases.
Still, to increase your brand awareness, it will be good to opt for link building for start-ups, as in this way, you can help your business have a bigger chance of success.
Prepare your products for the Europeans.
Each market has some unwritten set of rules that give sellers the advantage of becoming more successful. And this is especially true for Europe, as this continent is a culturally diverse one. This means that some products and services will be more relevant in some countries than others. Also, you need to use the local language when selling in Europe. In Europe, there are 24 official languages, and apart from English, some idioms are widely spread, like French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to translate your content into all the languages spoken. Instead, you need to be strategic with your choice. Also, keep in mind to choose SEO services Europe, as, in this way, you will have a helping hand in creating original and personalized content focused on customer needs and their identity.
Comply with legal requirements.
Each country in Europe has its own regulations and laws. Still, besides the particularities specific to every country, you need to keep in mind some universal considerations that apply in the European space.
For example, Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax applied to all commercial activities involving the distribution and production of goods in the European Union.
Also, if you plan to expand your ecommerce business in Europe, you must be familiar with GDPR. GDPR is a data privacy law used in the European Union that helps to protect the data of European individuals. All businesses must comply with the GDPR legislation, so remember this.
Market your products.
When you have prepared everything needed and your store is ready to take off, it might be time to also think about how you will market your products. Marketing is an important tool, as with the right strategy, you can catapult your businesses towards a thriving path.
You must have a logo and a good website with the most outstanding design. But you also need to go beyond appealing product images and compelling product descriptions.
For example, you need to optimize your shop for research engines with the help of link building for eCommerce, put together targeted Facebook ads, or create personalized email marketing campaigns.
Are you ready to start your European adventure?
The ecommerce market in Europe is growing more and more every year that passes. So, if you want to open an ecommerce business in this region, you will meet a growth potential, as here, the citizens of many countries are looking to find some unique products they can buy. Of course, European expansion will still require plenty of preparations and requirements, just like any big business development step. Still, there are several ways you can adopt to make this process easier and have a greater chance of success.
Leave a Reply