If you have been running your local business successfully for a long time, you probably start to think about going global. You have so many options and new markets just waiting to be explored, so why not take this next step? However, making your website available for people who don’t speak your language is not that easy.
That’s why, below, you will find a list of 7 key steps you have to take if you want to launch a global website successfully. You can read about researching global markets, finding a localization service, optimizing your website, and many more. Read on and expand your business competitively!
Do Your Research
This might sound like overkill, but it’s crucial to do your research and discover your foreign target markets. It’s quite obvious that for your website to be successful, you have to know in which countries you want to target. If you don’t, you will waste a lot of time and resources on meaningless actions.
The good news is that the internet makes it possible to learn everything about your potential customers in just a few minutes. One of the most beneficial ways to do it is to participate in international conferences and webinars related to your line of business – or organize such an online event yourself.
However, remember that to make an event accessible for foreign partners, prospects, and suppliers, you need to prepare accordingly. For example, if you are planning a conference in Texas, consider contacting interpretation services in San Antonio, Texas, to reach as many people as possible.
Get to Know Your Audience
Once you know who your target audience is, you can start working on your website copy. Keep in mind that the language you use will depend on where you are aiming your business. You can find out about special terms or phrases used by customers in a particular country by checking social media profiles or reaching out to people from that country.
Find the Right Localization Service
Now that you have done your research and understand how to approach your customers, it’s time to find the right localization service. You need someone who has expertise in SEO and knows how to make your website rank high. Also, keep in mind that if you want to build a good reputation with your international audience, you should hire a native translator instead of outsourcing the work to people who do not speak the language fluently.
Optimize Your Website for Local Searches
If you want to achieve the best results, you have to optimize your website for local searches. Usually, websites that rank high on search engines have more traffic. So, make sure that you have all the necessary information available for each country and include a local phone number or link to a store locator.
When it comes to getting the best results with local SEO, remember that there is no magic formula – just make sure that your website is well optimized for searches related to products and services you offer in a chosen area.
Be Prepared for Different Currencies and Taxes
Depending on where you want to launch your website, you might have to deal with different currencies and taxes. When creating your online store, don’t forget to check what currency is most convenient for your customers and adjust your prices accordingly. For example, if you target customers from Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, don’t forget that their currency is quite different from the American one.
Also, before making any changes on your website, check whether there are any tax implications related to these changes. If yes – make sure that you know what kind of documents you need in order to avoid getting into trouble later on.
Check Your Hosting Requirements
Before launching a global website, make sure that you have enough hosting space available and all the other things you need for running a successful online store. This includes products like SSL certificates, shopping cart software, and other essential things you will need in order to provide a good service. Always make sure that you choose the right platform and don’t rush into anything until you consider all the options carefully.
Create Content For Localized Markets
If you want to succeed with your global website, it’s crucial to create content for localized markets. In some cases, this means creating new content entirely or translating your e-commerce channel’s existing content pieces into different languages..
Also, don’t forget about image optimization. If you want to rank well on Google’s image search results, it’s crucial to resize images correctly and focus on keywords used in localized searches.
In Conclusion
If you want to expand your business overseas and reach new markets, globalizing your website is just one step in this process. However, if you want to succeed, always keep in mind the key steps we mentioned above. Ensure that you implement them one by one and don’t rush into anything until you consider all the options carefully. Just be patient and be persistent – your efforts will undoubtedly pay off!