Growth and expansion in a business is inevitable and is what most owners are aiming for. When taking your online business overseas or expanding to encompass international markets like France, it is important to learn just what you need to do to help foster that growth. Here are five practices to employ to help make sure that your expansion to the French market is successful.
1. Research
Thorough market research should be conducted before you even start trying to expand to international markets. Take the time to research businesses that might offer similar products or services, research how other companies work in that market, and take the time to make sure you research what your product or company needs to do to be successful. A great deal of success in foreign markets comes from intense market research on the part of the business owner so that all eventualities are discussed and a clear and concise plan can be put into place.
2. Legal Concerns
Another step you should take is to make sure you are optimally handling all legal concerns. Since your business is online, you are not going to have to get storefronts and such, but you do need to make sure that you optimally handle the legal aspects of the business, as per the laws in France. You need to obtain the right licenses, the right documentation and the ability to sell a specific product in the country. Some countries have stricter export and import laws, some items may not be legal to sell in that specific country, etc. Taking the time to really look at the legal aspects of owning a business that can sell in the French-speaking market can help avoid problems before they arise, and provide a smooth entry into the local market.
3. SEO
Another important step is to take the time to fully develop your French SEO strategy before expanding to France. SEO is important in the United States as it helps to set you apart from other companies and other sellers that may have similar products or services for sale. When entering a foreign market like France, it is important to set yourself apart from brands that are already established locally. Top brands generally have a steady following for their target audience, a robust online presence, and possess sites that rank well in the French search engines.
As a newcomer, it is important that you take the time to set yourself apart and to make sure your French organic search strategy is as robust as your main local competitors. If you don’t possess the knowledge or resources to achieve a strong SEO strategy in France, better get a French adviser who knows the market, language, and the marketing expertise to help you. By doing so, you’ll be making sure that your site will rank high in the search engines, and drive in customers from Google, Bing, and local search engines like Qwant.
4. Fulfillment
When you open up to a foreign market like France, you want to be certain that your fulfillment strategy is flawless. You want to be sure you are going to be able to get the product you need shipped to France on time, that you are going to be able to fulfill orders. This may require you to find foreign markets to help cut on costs, to find suppliers that are able to ship to France, and more. As with any business, your goal here will be to make sure you are getting your product or your service out to customers in a seamless and efficient manner.
5. Cater to the Market
When you open up your business to the French market you need to take the time to make sure you are catering to the market that you are selling in. If you are working to sell a product that works best in one form or other, make sure you are taking the time to cater the product so that it has the best chance at success. Take the time to look at pricing of similar products in France, look at how French companies market that similar product, and more to help give your product or service a chance to truly compete with other brands that are already selling in France. International markets are exciting, as they allow us to meet more customers, to sell to a larger number of people, and to better learn how to effectively sell our products or services. That being said, if you are new to international markets it is a good idea to take the time to do the footwork and lay the foundation for success before you make your first transaction.