1. Not everyone speaks English
Well, duh! We all know that! But did you know that aside from the official language(s) in each country, there are also many different regional dialects? How do we reach such a diversity of cultures and languages when the only language we speak is English?
The best advice I can offer is to try to express yourself as plainly and clearly as possible, and proofread what you are writing to make sure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.
Use Google Translator to translate the text into the desired language and send both the original and translated versions to your client. The translation won't be perfect, but it should help you bridge the language gap.
Finally, make sure you avoid using slang words or local jargon that will inevitably get lost in translation and leave your interlocutor more baffled than enlightened.
2. Not everyone conducts business the same way
Some people have a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to conducting business. I call it the "Wham Bam, Thank You Ma'am" business approach (in and out of a meeting so fast, it makes your head spin). It may be the most practical and time-saving way to do business, but that is not the way it is done in many parts of the world.
If you really want to go global, don't expect your customers to always adapt to your way of doing things. On the contrary, learn how they do business and adopt some of their practices. You will open many more doors this way, and your clients will be much more receptive to what you have to offer. I guarantee it!
3. Limited payment options for international customers
In America, the ability to buy a product online is something we take for granted. We don't think twice about tossing the product we want into a virtual shopping cart, and paying for it from a variety of payment options. It's something we do every day without a second thought. Not so in other parts of the world.
Some countries have strict regulations and/or major restrictions when it comes to paying for products acquired from abroad. Many people have debit or credit cards that can only be used to pay for purchases within their own borders. Despite the growing popularity of e-commerce in these countries, their payment options for global purchases are still very limited.
If you want people from these countries to buy your products, it's up to you to find a solution. Once you know what their limitations are and how they can be resolved, let them know which specific payment options or methods will work for them. The easier you make their lives, the happier they will make you and your bottom line.
4. Distrust of the Internet
There is still an enormous amount of distrust when it comes to buying online. Many people are afraid their credit card information or their identities will get stolen or sold to third parties. They may also have doubts about whether the product they buy can really be delivered to them on time and in one piece.
Others are unwilling to buy online because they worry that the product won't live up to their expectations. Will it look the same as it does in the picture? Will it fit? Will it work? What if it is damaged during shipping?
The thought of having to pay for shipping costs to return a product that was unsatisfactory, and the real possibility that they may not get a full refund if the seller decides it is unwarranted, makes many people think twice about buying online.
How do you overcome these obstacles? Make sure you have a clear and fair return policy and always be available to answer any questions or doubts your customers may have. Bear in mind that things can go wrong, and many times it won't be your customer's fault.
By building a good rapport with your clients and providing top-notch customer service, they will be delighted to tell their friends and families how safe and easy it is to buy from you online. Word of mouth is still a very powerful marketing tool, so try to always get rave reviews.
5. Duties, taxes and banned products
It's important to know which of your products are banned in certain countries, which ones need a special import permit and whether any of them will have to pay a duty or tax. Many people aren't aware of their country's laws and restrictions and could end up blaming you if their product is detained in customs.
Be well-informed about all the restrictions, taxes and/or duties for all of the products your customers wish to buy, and let them know about the risks and additional costs they may have to face before they place their order. A well-advised customer is a happy customer.
6. Shipping costs
Most times, shipping costs can be equal to or more expensive than the product itself, depending of course on the product. if you plan to ship products overseas, be prepared to do some fancy footwork and legwork.
First, find which shipping method is the right one for each circumstance and destination: air freight, sea freight, international courier, etc. Your choice will depend on whether your customers are prepared to wait longer for their purchase if it means lower shipping costs, or whether they need it sooner, despite the extra cost.
Second, I suggest you try to negotiate the best deal you can with your shipper of choice. If he is unwilling to give you a lower tariff, shop around. There is so much competition nowadays, that you will surely find a company that is willing to give you a slightly better price, especially if you plan to use their service often enough.
Another solution could be to get one of your customers to buy in bulk and resell to others, so that he can prorate the shipping costs and perhaps even make a profit. This should work if it is a popular item and easy to sell in their particular country.
If all else fails, crunch your numbers and see if you can absorb some of the shipping costs while still maintaining a reasonable profit margin. If you can do this, you will earn your customer's undying gratitude and loyalty.
These six examples are just a few of the obstacles we face since the Internet became such a huge commodity. Although it has allowed us to 'virtually' cross borders and navigate freely to every corner of the earth, we still have much to learn about the customs, traditions, perceptions and misgivings of this diverse population when it comes to conducting business online.
I would love to hear what other obstacles you have encountered while doing business online with people from other nations.
Thanks for your feed-back and have a great week!
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