Expand your Shopify store worldwide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
   • What is international expansion?
   • Importance of internationalization for businesses
2. Planning for International Expansion
   • Identifying target countries
   • Researching legal and tax implications
   • Shipping and logistics considerations
3. Currency Settings
   • Using Shopify Payments for multiple currencies
   • Rounding and exchange rate configuration
4. Language Support
   • Adding additional languages to your store
   • Translating store content
   • Using translation apps and professional services
5. Domain and Subdomain Setup
   • Connecting custom domain names
   • Adding country-specific subdomains
   • Managing and configuring multiple domains
6. SEO Considerations
   • Utilizing hreflang tags for language targeting
   • Ensuring optimized search engine rankings
7. App Compatibility
   • Checking app support for multiple languages
   • Contacting app providers for assistance
8. Conclusion
   • Recap of key steps and considerations
   • Importance of ongoing monitoring and optimization

Expanding Your Shopify Business to Support International Customers

Introduction: Expanding a Shopify business to cater to international customers requires careful planning and implementation strategies. In today's global marketplace, businesses with an international presence are better positioned to reach a wider audience and increase their revenue potential. This article will guide you through the process of expanding your Shopify website to support customers in different countries, with different languages and currencies.

Planning for International Expansion

Before diving into the technical aspects, it's imperative to plan your international expansion thoroughly. Consider the following steps:

Identifying Target Countries

Start by identifying the countries you wish to target. Research the demand for your products or services in these markets and evaluate the level of competition. This will help you determine the potential for success.

Researching Legal and Tax Implications

Each country has its own legal requirements and tax regulations that you must adhere to. Ensure you understand and comply with these regulations to avoid any legal setbacks or penalties. Seek guidance from legal and accounting professionals to navigate through the complexities.

Shipping and Logistics Considerations

Evaluate the feasibility and cost of shipping your products to different countries. Research transportation options, customs requirements, and any additional paperwork or documentation you may need. It's important to provide efficient and affordable shipping options to international customers to ensure a positive buying experience.

Currency Settings

Attracting international customers requires the ability to display prices in their local currency. Follow these steps to set up multi-currency options on your Shopify store:

1. Utilize Shopify Payments: Shopify Payments supports multiple currencies, allowing you to easily accept payments in different currencies. If not already activated, navigate to the Payments section in your store's Settings and enable Shopify Payments.
2. Configure Rounding and Exchange Rates: Each country has its own pricing practices and exchange rate calculations. Ensure you set up rounding preferences and exchange rates accurately to provide customers with localized and transparent pricing. For example, in the U.S., prices often round to $0.99 or $0.95, while in Taiwan, whole numbers are used.

Language Support

To effectively engage and communicate with international customers, translating your store content is crucial. Follow these steps to add and translate additional languages on your Shopify store:

1. Add Store Languages: In the Store Languages section of your Shopify admin, add the languages you wish to support. By default, English will be your main language.
2. Translate Store Content: Shopify does not provide built-in translation functionality. You'll need to utilize a translation app, such as Translate My Store, to manually translate your store content. Avoid using automated translations like Google Translate, as they may result in poor-quality translations. Instead, invest in professional translation services to ensure accurate and localized translations that resonate with your target audience.
3. Import/Export Translations: Upgrade to a plan that allows import/export functionality for translations. This will enable you to export your store content into a spreadsheet, have it professionally translated, and then import it back into Shopify to apply the translations. This can significantly expedite the translation process for larger stores with extensive content.

Domain and Subdomain Setup

Custom domains and subdomains can help enhance your international presence and improve SEO. Consider the following steps:

1. Connect Existing Domains: Connect your custom domain to your Shopify store by following the instructions provided in the Online Store > Domains section.
2. Country-Specific Domains or Subdomains: To further tailor your online presence to specific countries, consider setting up country-specific domains or subdomains. For example, you could have fr.yourstore.com for France and au.yourstore.com for Australia. This allows you to provide a localized experience to customers by having separate websites dedicated to each country.

SEO Considerations

Search engine optimization plays a crucial role in attracting organic traffic to your Shopify store. Here are some SEO considerations for your international expansion:

1. Implement hreflang Tags: Hreflang tags indicate to search engines that your website is available in multiple languages or for specific countries. Shopify automatically generates these tags to assist with language targeting and improve your website's visibility in localized search results.
2. Optimize Content and Metadata: Translate and optimize your meta tags, titles, descriptions, and other relevant content for each language and country. Pay attention to keyword research and cultural nuances to ensure maximum SEO effectiveness in different regions.

App Compatibility

While apps can greatly enhance your Shopify store's functionality, it's important to ensure that the apps you choose are compatible with multiple languages and currencies. Consider the following:

1. Check App Support: Before installing any apps, verify that they support the languages and currencies you plan to offer on your store. Reach out to the app providers to confirm compatibility.
2. Request Translation Support: In case an app does not support your desired language or currency, contact the app provider and inquire about translating or localizing the app's interface and content. This will ensure a seamless integration and user experience for your international customers.

Conclusion

Expanding your Shopify business to support international customers can be a lucrative venture, but it requires careful planning and implementation. By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be well-equipped to offer a localized shopping experience to customers from different countries. Remember to continuously monitor and optimize your international expansion efforts to keep up with market trends and customer preferences.

Highlights

• Planning is crucial for successful international expansion on Shopify.
• Configuring multi-currency options using Shopify Payments simplifies transactions.
• Professional translation services are recommended for accurate localization.
• Custom domains and subdomains enable a tailored experience for each country.
• SEO optimizations, such as hreflang tags, improve visibility in localized search results.
• Verify app compatibility and translation support before installation.

FAQ

Q: Can I use Google Translate to translate my store content?
A: While Google Translate may be convenient, it is not recommended for translating store content. The translations may lack accuracy and fail to capture cultural nuances. Opting for professional translation services ensures a high-quality localized experience for your international customers.

Q: Can I have different subdomains for different languages within the same country?
A: Yes, Shopify allows you to set up different subdomains for different languages within the same country. This enables you to provide a localized experience for customers within a specific country, catering to their language preferences.

Q: How important is SEO for international expansion on Shopify?
A: SEO plays a crucial role in attracting organic traffic to your Shopify store from different countries. Implementing SEO best practices, including hreflang tags and localized content optimization, increases your visibility in search engines' localized search results and improves your chances of reaching a broader international audience.