This is the fourth of a five-part series. Did you miss our previous posts? Start from the beginning here.
Can your international customers and prospects find you on the web? And does your website reflect the correct pricing based on their location? More tips for you on globalizing your .Biz small business website:
7.) ‘Glocal’ Search Engine Optimization:
Effective ‘glocal,’ global and local, search engine optimization is key to your website’s international success. Use a website analytic tool such as Google Analytics to identify the top 10 regions and/or countries that your website visitors are coming from. Then, leverage local listings and regionally-targeted pay-per-click ads to drive more traffic to your website in these areas.
Finally, do your homework. Research the most popular search engines in the various regions you are targeting, and uncover the search algorisms that make them tip. While Google may be the primary search engine used in the United States, Baidu is most commonly used in China – and Yahoo! in Japan. You’ll soon find that each search engine ranks search results according to different factors.
8.) Currency Conversion, Taxes and Shipping:
In order to accept international orders on your .Biz website, you’ll need to consider the appropriate currency conversions, taxes and other regulations. Shipping costs are also important to list by specific location. Many eCommerce shopping cart plugins can automatically take care of all these things and more for you. If you are unable to serve certain global locations, it’s best to clearly state these restrictions up front.
Although selling internationally can be a great opportunity for your online business, it’s imperative to your long-term success to follow all the rules – and the right way from the start. Even the smallest mistakes can be costly.
The fifth and final post of this series is coming soon. Check back soon to view; don’t miss!