Are you planning to expand your business worldwide but don’t know where to start? Having offices and stores all around the world is every entrepreneur’s dream. However, selling internationally can be challenging.
First, you need to research the international markets and see if they’re ready for your products and services. Then, you need a team of experts to help you sell the products. Finally, you will need key local and national partners to make the selling easier and adapt it to the target market.
Keep reading to discover the most important steps to international sales that will help you take your business globally.
Do In-Depth Market Research
Before you start selling overseas, you need to do in-depth market research for each individual region and country. First, is there a demand for your product? Are people ready for something new? What is their purchasing power? Is there a favorable business climate or benefits for business investors? It’s best to test your international business ideas first before creating and launching them. Executing a Product Concept Test is a wise decision to determine top performing concepts and checking on consumer attitudes before a global launch.
You should also visit the countries personally or hire experts to assess the markets so you can have a clear picture of what you can expect.
Develop an International Selling Strategy
International selling takes a lot of planning ahead, assessing markets, and doing research. This is why you need to develop a solid selling strategy along with a business plan for each location you’re planning to expand to.
This is especially important if you’re from a developed country such as the U.S. and want to expand to smaller or different markets. In this case, you should assume running a business will differ from your country, but also from one country to the next. There are also currency differences, data collection laws, and finding the right partners for expansion.
Create a Strong International Team
What better way to learn how to sell globally than from a team of international experts and employees? You’ll need people who know how business works in their countries so they can put yours on the market.
You will also need employees for the day-to-day operations. Make sure you are familiar with the employment laws and regulations in the country.
And you will also need a communication strategy for remote teams or teams who need to stay in touch constantly. Start by hiring a regional manager first and try to visit each location to see how things work.
Explore International Export Strategies
No matter what products you sell, you need to have an international export strategy. This means finding the best partners, being prepared for delays and problems, and staying patient during the process.
For instance, will you be using air freight forwarding or ship freight? Are you familiar with the country’s customers and import policies and fees? Are there any limitations or restrictions regarding goods and services? You should also find local companies or factories that can manufacture your products for a lower price but keep the same quality.
Prepare for Selling Internationally With These Useful Business Tips
Whether you are a new entrepreneur looking to expand worldwide or an existing business, selling internationally takes a lot of preparation and planning ahead. Luckily, these tips can help you assess the market and find the right partners for your international strategy.
Ready to grow your business even further? Explore the other articles we have written on entrepreneurship and business success and come back often to discover more of the latest industry news and trends. Visit the Sales section of the Everything Entrepreneur Blog to learn more about selling internationally and expanding your company globally.
