{"id":39324,"date":"2021-07-07T06:11:39","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T13:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.womensenterprise.ca\/?p=39324"},"modified":"2021-11-13T01:10:45","modified_gmt":"2021-11-13T01:10:45","slug":"selling-online-8-factors-to-consider-if-you-ship-outside-of-bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.we-bc.ca\/en\/selling-online-8-factors-to-consider-if-you-ship-outside-of-bc\/","title":{"rendered":"Selling online? 8 factors to consider if you ship outside of BC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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I’ve been in international trade for over a decade, both as a business owner shipping goods and as an advisor, assisting women entrepreneurs. In the pre-pandemic world, in-person meetings and tradeshows were key strategies to meet buyers and expand your networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, more than ever before, online selling offers incredible opportunities to reach new customers all over the world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a recent report, \u201cAs a result of marked shifts in consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, digitization has accelerated even further: 40 percent of consumers are buying more online than they had previously done.<\/a>\u201d Global e-commerce is expected to grow about $5 trillion<\/a> in 2021. Mobile commerce is on the rise and is expected to reach $275 billion globally by 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you’re looking to expand your customer base, e-commerce is an immense opportunity to get into international markets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now don’t get me wrong\u2014just like any business start-up, international e-commerce has its challenges and you need to prepare well to maximize digital opportunities. Remember, anytime goods and services cross borders, you have to follow the trade rules and regulations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you have to start somewhere, and you don’t want to leave all those potential customers hanging, so what do you need to consider? Here, I share 8 factors to think about, and if you’d like to explore more then join me this July for a webinar series: A Beginners’ Guide to Exporting<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. eCommerce makes it easy to connect across the world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Creating an online store is a less complex market entry strategy. If you have a well-designed web store it is easier to access potential customers in foreign markets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I worked with a client who used her website and Instagram as her major marketing platforms for her cosmetic business. She was pleasantly surprised when her BC-sourced and manufactured products found a market in Asia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though her foray into international markets started with a couple of queries from potential buyers, she followed it up with a sound business plan focused on e-exports. Her business is an example of growing internationally even without opening a single brick and mortar office in Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women\u2019s Enterprise Centre has put together several free digital marketing resources<\/a> that can help your online store shine and reach new customers with SEO and social media tips!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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@my_sappho<\/a> is a Vancouver-based Organic & vegan makeup line owned by JoAnn Fowler that sells across Canada at mysappho.ca<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2. Digital marketplaces bring the people to you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of online marketplaces such as Alibaba<\/a>, e-Bay<\/a>, and Amazon<\/a> where you can sell. As they already have a wide customer base, it’s easier to reach more clients in foreign markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use their fulfillment services or decide to do it on your own. Fulfillment process is fee-based, but it can help in keeping your business competitive. Fast delivery, storage, inventory management, and easy returns are a few of such benefits. If you decide to do it yourself, it may be difficult to compete with such efficient processes. Determine what works for you based on your business capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that there is Canada store<\/a> on Amazon\u2019s India platform featuring several Canadian products? Canada\u2019s Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) in India worked with Canadian companies and Amazon to create this store. This is a win-win opportunity for BC based businesses as e-commerce sector is growing rapidly in India. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a report<\/a>, the market value of this industry is expected to grow to US$200 billion by 2027. You can also find Canada Pavilion<\/a> on Alibaba<\/a>, which provides access to consumers in China. The Trade Commissioner Service\u2019s guidebook, An Introduction to e-Commerce in China<\/a> can help you understand the local online commerce ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. 24\/7 selling means you make money while you sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Global markets are typically in different time zones. So, even when you are offline, you can still be selling! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Targeted advertising, SEO<\/a>, quality content on social media channels<\/a> such as Facebook and Instagram are your go-to marketing tools to provide enhanced customer experience round the clock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recently worked with a client who sells arts products and was researching potential foreign markets. Her research showed potential customers in Australia. A well-researched and targeted social media campaign geared towards customers in a different time zone market helped her tap into new customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Are you ready for e-exports?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is important to look at your business model and assess your international e-commerce readiness. This will involve asking a lot of questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n