Independent online sellers are at the heart of the e-commerce revolution. Amazon has served this market well with over half of their commercial activity coming from third-party sellers. The power of Amazon allows third-party sellers to display their products on Amazon’s website and to benefit from Amazon’s massive logistics operations. However, third-party sellers are increasingly seeking to stay independent by choosing Shopify and similar platforms.
See section below: Internationalizing Online Sales from Canada
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Increasing Cost of Amazon Services
Amazon charges merchants a high price for their services. Merchant listings are subject to sales commissions, advertising, warehousing, pick/pack and delivery. The costs can add up to around 40% of a sellers' revenue.
Who Owns the Customer
In addition to the costs outlined above, sellers on Amazon cede their customer data to Amazon. Amazon considers buyer data a key asset in the development of competing products which often bare the “Amazon Basics” brand.
Branding and Customer Control
Merchants who sell via Amazon often have issues developing brand recognition and customer loyalty. Merchant goods are shipped in Amazon branded boxes, rival products are often highlighted or recommended on the site, and extra fees related to early reviews and account support are applied.
Furthermore, Amazon extracts price restrictions from merchants who list their goods outside of Amazon.
What Online Sellers Need?
Successful online sellers who wish to remain independent require:
- Product sourcing
- Marketing, social media and SEO strategies to get customers to their site
- Software to take payments, place orders and manage customer support
- Warehousing and shipping services
Points 1 and 2: Obvious for anyone wishing to sell online.
Point 3: Online platforms led by Shopify and includes others such as BigCommerce and WIX
Point 4: Using Shopify partners or by Self-fulfilling orders. Platforms have been adding logistics support.
Global - the new Local
Much of the Shopify phenomena is related to the idea of sourcing and buying local. But independent online seller phenomena has as much to do with being authentic and unique. Ironically, the global marketplace is eager to purchase authentically local brands. Local Shopify merchants are searching for ways to reach their global customers but can be frustrated by customs, limited carrier options and costs.
Jet Worldwide is developing online shipping access from Canada and the USA to Japan, the UK, European Union Countries, Caribbean and South America via partnerships with regional carriers and international forwarding platforms. About Jet Worldwide.
Jet Worldwide: E-commercial International delivery
Online selling is global— particularly members of Gen Z , millennials and small business procurement. Just as Instagram, Snapchat and social media influencers are global. A differentiator in many brands is their local sourcing, unique branding and international appeal.
READ MORE: CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN AND WHY IT IS NEEDED
Online Platforms Recognized as Sellers
The United Kingdom and European Union require online platforms to facilitate the collection of value added tax (VAT). Read about VAT payment for online orders to the UK and VAT payment for online orders shipped to European Union Countries.
Contact Jet Worldwide’s team for updates on our developing international shipping programs to Japan, Caribbean, UK, European Union countries, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and other niche markets.
READ MORE: IMPORT DUTY AND HOW IT IS ACCESSED
Internationalizing Online Sales from Canada
Canadian ecommerce cross-border sales are projected to grow much more than domestic ecommerce growth. But, while simply selling across borders can be managed by platform tools provided by Shopify and others, a key tool is having access to low cost international delivery.
Successful international ecommerce means diversifying to innovative delivery networks direct from Canada.
Shipping International Online Sales from Canada
When selling to multiple markets, you have to take into account regional variances like shipping, taxes, and duties, making profit margins difficult to determine. Shopify provides the capability to set prices adjustments by country or region.
Via Shopify and other platforms, product prices can be adjusted by percentage or country, or you can set specific prices for your inventory, eliminating reliance on foreign exchange rates. You can also set the exchange rate manually for even greater control over your product pricing. You can even include or exclude taxes upfront based on a customer's region—helping you avoid giving your customers sticker shock.
Targeting ecommerce Regions to Sell To:
Regional nuances like shipping, taxes, and duties (which is now more important than ever for sellers to and from the UK, thanks to Brexit’s new regulations), you can better cater to each new market.
Presenting Prices in Local Currency and Delivery by Local Carriers
One of the easiest ways to build trust from international visitors is by including payment and local currency and delivery by local carriers. Earning the trust of new international visitors is key.
Multiple languages
Naturally, customers are most comfortable shopping in their own language and Canadian sellers - especially those in Quebec - often already have multiple lingual site. Research shows that over 40% of of Europeans only purchase products and services in their local language.
With Shopify Plus, you can sell in up to 20 languages with a supported third-party language translation app, so it won't be long before you're speaking your customer's language.
International Domains and Localized Delivery for Canadian Sellers
If a customer perceives shipping as being slow, they are more likely to abandon their cart. One indication that shipping might be slow? When they see a domain name based overseas and shipping is via Canada Post or other North American carrier.
Utilizing international domains and shipping direct via local carriers, you can expand your business to global audiences.
READ MORE: CORRECTLY DECLARING VALUE FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS
Geolocation: Customized Experienced for Global Markets
Personalization is a proven method for building trust and sales.Foreign customers visiting your store will appreciate seeing local currency and delivery options. With Geolocation services, you can make a great first impression by immediately welcoming customers and showing respect for their local language, carriers and presence.
Sellers can install Shopify’s free Geolocation appin Shopify Payments. Designed to serve international customers so they can browse and buy faster, this feature offers shoppers language and country recommendations based on their geographic location or browser settings, which can be changed at any time.
Get started with optimizing your store for international customers
Localizing and personalizing your ecommerce site for international visitors is about building trust by removing barriers by making the transactions frictionless. Jet helps sellers ship direct to the European Union, UK, China, Japan and all major international markets.
Learn more from Jet's Logistics Experts :
