Who runs the world? These days, it's eCommerce. Today about 27% of the world’s population shops online – though this number grows every year.
If you’re looking to capture new consumers, you should consider how to convey your store to others worldwide. Localization is key for preparing your products for different languages, buyer preferences, and building personalized global experiences.
Here are seven reasons why you’ll need a winning localization strategy to build up your eCommerce store for new target locales.
eCommerce content is highly diverse, ranging from the product itself to the web features. Here are the most common types of eCommerce content that require localization:
- Web, blog and online store
- Product info and description
- Currencies, sizes and measurements
- Shopping cart text and payment methods
- Shipping and delivery emails
- Marketing materials, including social posts and photos/videos/graphics/media
- Customer support
- International SEO
- Legal copy
- Educational legal copy
At first glance, it might not seem that localization and language play a big part. But diving in deeper, in order to build a global customer experience for all users (regardless of language or location), it's vital to consider the above types of content and how they may be the difference between a good customer experience and a great one.
eCommerce depends on localization to get global results. Here are winning results that localization can get for your brand.
As you tailor your store for target locations, you’ll get access to new markets. When done right, localization will draw in more users to your site and give you more brand potential.
eCommerce localization is good for business. If your product speaks to local customers, you’ll drive up your revenue.
Another key aspect of eCommerce localization is searchability. The easier it is to find your products, the more likely you’ll get customers. International SEO for every language can hike up your Google rankings.
Localization is all about the user. As you localize content, you’ll also improve the digital experience. By localizing currencies, sizes, measurements, as well as payment and shipping, you’ll provide a top-of-the-line eCommerce experience. This includes every step in the eCommerce pathway, such as tracking/delivery emails and customer service experience.
Your eCommerce store should also be comfortable for customers. Localizing content for cultural suitability can make a great first impression on new customers. The tone/style of the content, as well as the image/graphics should all fit within local customs.
As you boost your eCommerce store, you’ll also need to collaborate with local services – such as shipping. Having localization already part of your brand DNA will make it easy to prepare for local integrations, including converting for typical delivery needs such as date format, package sizes, address format, delivery instructions and more.
Finally, localization can enhance your eCommerce brand’s reputation. Global customers with local experiences will be satisfied with your efforts and see you as a market leader. In this way, you’ll also get a competitive advantage over similar eCommerce products/services.
Your eCommerce store deserves more. As you go global, strengthen your localization strategy to get high-quality user experiences in your target locations.
Before getting started on a new localization campaign, be sure to do the market research on your locales and set up your products to be localization-friendly. You might also dig into your website’s analytics to find out what potential target audiences could be interesting to pursue.