International Sales on Shopify: What are the Benefits?

Shopify offers several advantages for international sales, making it a platform of choice for businesses looking to extend their reach beyond borders. Here are some of the main advantages:

1. Multiple Currency Support: Shopify allows merchants to sell in multiple currencies through integrated features. This means you can display your products in the local currencies of potential customers, increasing conversion chances. For example, a customer in Japan will see prices in Yen, while a customer in Europe will see them in Euros.

2. Store Translation: Shopify allows you to translate your store into multiple languages, facilitating communication with international customers. Thanks to translation apps like Weglot or Langify, you can offer a multilingual user experience.

3. Compatibility with Different Payment Gateways: The Shopify platform is compatible with over 100 payment gateways worldwide, allowing you to offer payment options tailored to local markets. For example, you can offer Alipay for customers in China, Klarna for customers in Europe, and PayPal for a global presence.

4. International Shipping Options: Shopify facilitates international shipping with partner integrations like DHL, UPS, and other courier services, allowing you to automatically calculate shipping costs based on the customer's location. You can also offer various delivery options such as standard or express delivery.

5. Tax and Duty Management: The platform automatically manages sales taxes and customs duties through third-party applications like Avalara. This simplifies tax compliance and reduces complications related to international sales.

6. 24/7 Customer Support: Regardless of the time zone, Shopify offers customer support available at all times, which is crucial for managing an international online store. You benefit from assistance via chat, email, and phone, in multiple languages.

A concrete example of these advantages in action is the case of the cosmetics brand Glossier. When they decided to expand their market to the United Kingdom, they used a Shopify agency to set up prices in British Pounds, translate certain relevant sections of their site into British English, and integrate popular local payment options like Klarna. They also used shipping services that efficiently delivered their products from New York to London in just a few days. Their success in this international market contributed to a substantial increase in their overall sales.