Learn how to expand your online sales and enter the global eCommerce market confidently.
In this blog post, we will break down what global eCommerce is about, and the role of translation and localization in global eCommerce.
We’ll also share strategies for a successful Black Friday and how to pick the right language services company.
Understanding the World of Global eCommerce
Global eCommerce, as the name suggests, refers to online shopping for an international market. This type of commerce transcends country borders and gives customers easy access to non-local products and services.
Cross-border commerce used to be very difficult in past times. Now, it’s very accessible, thanks to the internet; brands now just need to be tactful when approaching this market, as a lot needs to be considered when you address an international customer.
But why expand into global eCommerce?
Well, businesses gain a lot when they make a name for themselves in the global eCommerce market.
As the saying goes, don’t put all your eggs in one basket; if your business decides to expand in more than one market, that means it diversifies its risk.
This of course increases sales and revenue and enhances brand visibility.
The Size and Growth of the Global eCommerce Market
Wondering how big eCommerce is now?
It’s a $6 trillion industry expected to be worth $8 trillion by 2027. And it’s estimated that 2.71 billion people make online purchases from eCommerce platforms globally.
So, it’s safe to say that a market like this is full of business opportunities.
Social commerce, a branch of eCommerce, made life for online retailers much easier. This type of commerce makes use of social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, to sell products online.
So as people scroll through their feeds, they can make an online purchase with just a few taps on their screens.
Why Translation and Localization Are Essential for Global eCommerce Success
Speak Their Language, Win Their Trust
If you are targeting international markets, language is obviously an integral aspect to consider.
Not only will you need to translate your product and marketing materials, you will also need to localize them to speak to the hearts of your audience.
That means that your product and ads should be presented in a way that fits within the culture you’re targeting.
If you choose to keep your product as presented in your home country in international markets, it will simply go unnoticed.
Make Your Website Accessible
When entering global markets, your website is often the first touchpoint for potential customers. To make sure it’s appealing, you’ll need to localize not just the language, but the entire user experience.
This includes your website content, product descriptions, and marketing campaigns.
And don’t forget that dialects and shopping behaviors vary from one region to another. So, you should adapt your presence accordingly.
This is why website localization services can help you understand local insights and shape your website to appeal to the intended audience.
Streamline the Checkout Process
Localization also includes localizing payment methods and pricing rates for the market you’re targeting.
So, for example, if your target audience uses credit and debit cards for online payment but the only payment options you offer are PayPal or Google Pay, that will instantly drive them away.
Additionally, pricing needs to be compatible with the economy you’re addressing to stay ahead of your local competitors.
Another thing to consider is shipment methods; make sure you work with local shipping companies to make it easier for your customers to receive their orders.
No matter how big an online purchase is, if the shipping fees and process are not reasonable, the customer will easily cancel their purchase.
Benefits of Translation and Localization
1- Improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Customers search for products in their native language.
That means that translating your website content while taking into account locally relevant search keywords is essential to increase your site’s visibility and traffic.
So, make sure you implement multilingual SEO in your plan.
2- Increased Conversion Rates and Sales
By providing a more personalized shopping experience for your customers, you increase conversion rates and sales. A conversion rate measures the number of users who have completed an action on a website.
So, having high conversion rates entails that you successfully provided a smooth experience for your online customers and they found no obstacles in purchasing your product.
That certainly means more sales and profit for your business.
3- Enhanced Brand Image
Brands that make an effort to localize their product and respect the culture they’re targeting are able to truly connect with their international customers, which is a key marketing tactic. And that’s how they create a solid customer base that’s loyal to the brand.
Global eCommerce Strategies for Black Friday
The Harvard School of Business mentions important skills that make an international brand successful. You’ll find that most of these skills highlight the human aspect of communication and cultural awareness and how this is key to thriving globally as a business.
Now, for Black Friday specifically, it’s better to have well-planned strategies for global eCommerce marketing. Here are the important points you need to consider for a successful Black Friday season.
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Planning and Preparation
Seize the chance and start planning for the Black Friday season in advance.
To have a full strategy on how you’ll enter an international market is better than not knowing what you’re up against. Know your local competitors and the customer behavior in the market you’re targeting to have a successful campaign.
Learn from Mattel’s big mistake when they thought that they would win over China’s market, only to have their store closed after two years.
This is because they didn’t study their market well enough and didn’t know that a Barbie is considered a waste of time in a culture that focuses on education and honing children’s skills.
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Localized Black Friday Campaigns
The next step is to localize your Black Friday campaigns so that they resonate with your audience. The process starts with a translation that then gets tweaked to feel “local” to the region in mind.
For example, consumers in the MENA region have a religious and conservative background. So, a campaign there should be culturally sensitive and considerate of that so as not to come off as offensive.
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Website Performance
Your website needs to be well prepared for such a busy day so that it can take on the expected website traffic.
All marketing campaigns and planning will go to waste if your website can’t handle the number of users on that day.
So, make sure the website is up and running and offers a smooth experience even on the busiest of days.
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Multilingual Customer Support
You need to facilitate the whole purchasing process and not just the marketing part so that you actually reap good results.
Multilingual customer support is one way to accommodate your international customer during a busy day such as Black Friday.
This way, customers are offered help in their language and can easily complete their purchases.
How to Choose the Right Translation and Localization Services Partner
Here are the things you need to look for in a translation and localization services company to handle your projects.
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Industry Expertise and Experience
Going for a well-established language services company with experience in eCommerce and international marketing won’t make you worry about extra tasks outside of your scope.
You can leave it to the experts to handle your marketing campaigns, making sure the language used for your eCommerce platforms and billboards suits the culture you’re addressing.
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Quality Assurance Processes
A good indicator of the company you chose for your translation or localization projects is that they run quality assurance processes. This means that their workflow is multilayered and professional, aiming for perfect and error-free results.
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Technology and Tools
It’s also important that the company is up to date with technology tools, with their translators being well-versed in translation management systems (TMS) to ensure consistency and efficiency when delivering projects.
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Cultural Expertise
Another green flag to look for in a language services company is working with native translators located in your target region. This means that translators are part of the target audience and can best communicate with the people, bearing in mind cultural context and nuances.
Translate and Localize Your Campaigns This Black Friday with bayantech
Make use of bayantech’s 5% offer this Black Friday on all language services. Your global eCommerce campaigns will be translated and localized with top-notch quality and in a short time to bring you success this Black Friday.