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Do you Need Two Websites to Sell in more than One Country on Shopify
Last modified: October 3, 2023
If you’re succeeding in one area on Shopify, like the US, then you might want to try and get yourself into a new territory and sell there. This is often the case when you have lots of similar territories close together but are in fact different countries. For instance, many companies like to sell in Canada as well as the US. Or those in the UK might want to sell in Ireland as well.
One of the big questions often asked is whether or not you need two websites on Shopify to sell in these countries. Here are some things to consider.
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Different Languages
One of the first things to consider is whether there are language barriers to you offering products to a new area. When you’re talking about places like Canada and the US, there are limited language barriers. However, you might need to offer some multilingual support for the French speaking residents of Canada.
You can use an app that will allow you to translate your website and allow the visitor to see your website in their language. So it isn’t always necessary to have another website if you plan to trade in a new country or expand your territory.
Currency
Likewise, currency can have major problems when it comes to operating in a new territory. For instance, in the UK they use the pound, but in Ireland, they use the Euro. Luckily there are lots of apps that can help with this with a currency switcher. These can automatically switch the price using the current exchange rates to make them better for your audience.
Currency switchers, like those used on Vitals, can be a great way for you to branch out without adding more costs to your website.
Cultural Impact
Another problem though, which might require a different website, is the cultural differences between places. For instance, in the US a lot is made of certain holidays like Independence Day. However, this is largely ignored in the EU. You also have different words for the same item in some areas.
If you order pants in the US, you’re talking about a different clothing garment in Europe. So search and tags have to be redone. Therefore, you might need to have a new website in some cases.
Appearance to Customers
Another factor is whether your customers are going to trust your brand. You might find that if you want to sell in Europe, you will need a website for that area. They might not trust your US-based website because they won’t understand you can ship there or you have European trading hubs.
Therefore, there is a question about what your customers will also think.
Expanding Your Business Internationally with Shopify
Why Multiple Shopify Stores?
Launching multiple Shopify stores can be a strategic move for businesses aiming to expand internationally. It allows for the customization of shopping experiences tailored to different regions and audiences.
Additionally, multiple stores facilitate the targeting of diverse audiences with specific products or services, enhancing the overall customer experience and increasing the chances of conversion.
Challenges and Solutions
However, managing multiple stores comes with a set of challenges, including handling separate order streams and customer support tickets.
A centralized order management system can streamline inventory and order processing, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
On the customer support front, a unified system is essential to manage inquiries across all stores, ensuring no ticket goes unnoticed and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Optimizing Product Information Management
Another challenge is managing product information across various stores. A Product Information Management (PIM) system can centralize data, ensuring consistency and real-time updates across all platforms.
This standardization of data enhances the customer shopping experience, ensuring they have access to accurate and updated product information.
Strategic International Expansion
When considering international expansion, the decision between maintaining a single store with international domains or establishing separate stores for each country is crucial. Each option has its pros and cons.
A single store simplifies management but may not offer the tailored shopping experience that separate stores can provide.
Optimizing International Sales on Shopify
Multi-Currency Challenges and Solutions
Shopify’s multi-currency feature, though convenient, presents challenges for international sellers. Currency conversion fees and fluctuating foreign exchange rates can impact profit margins.
Adopting strategies that mitigate financial unpredictability and enhance customer experience. Utilizing third-party solutions, we’ve achieved currency stability, ensuring consistent pricing and eliminating unexpected fees.
International Payment Gateways
Expanding globally requires a nuanced approach to payment processing. We’ve experienced the limitations of using a single payment gateway across multiple markets.
By integrating market-specific payment gateways, we’ve optimized transaction fees and enhanced payment security, adhering to regional regulations and customer preferences.
Localized Promotions and Discounts
We understand the importance of market-specific promotions. Our journey taught us that a one-size-fits-all approach to discounts is ineffective.
We’ve implemented systems that allow for currency-based discounts, ensuring that promotional offers are tailored to each market, enhancing customer engagement, and boosting sales.
Enhancing the International Shopping Experience
Customized Shopping Carts
A shopping cart that adapts to the specific needs of international customers is crucial. We’ve developed carts that are market and currency-specific, ensuring that customers see prices in their local currency, enhancing transparency and trust.
Localized Checkout Experience
Our years of digital marketing and development have shown that a localized checkout experience is paramount.
We’ve integrated solutions to offer a fully customizable, market-specific checkout process, ensuring compliance with regional regulations and customer expectations.
Inventory and Stock Management
Managing inventory across multiple markets can be complex. We’ve streamlined this process, synchronizing stock across various locations, ensuring product availability and timely delivery.
Our system adapts to market demands, optimizing inventory levels to meet customer needs efficiently.
Conclusion: Do you Need Two Websites to Sell in More Than One Country on Shopify?
This is dependent on the needs when you’re expanding your website. In some cases, you will not need a new website. However, there are going to be times when you might need to add a new website to your brand to sell to an audience in a different country or region.
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Is it possible to manage multiple Shopify stores from a single dashboard?
Yes, with Shopify Plus, businesses can manage multiple stores from a single dashboard, streamlining the process of overseeing different storefronts for various markets and countries.
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How does shipping and fulfillment work when selling internationally on Shopify?
Businesses need to consider international shipping rates, carriers, and regulations. Shopify integrates with various shipping carriers and apps to streamline international shipping
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How does tax compliance vary when selling in multiple countries on Shopify?
Businesses should be aware of the different tax regulations in each country they operate in. Compliance can be managed through Shopify’s automated tax calculations or third-party tax compliance apps.
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