7 Powerful E-Commerce Localization Practices to Accelerate Global Growth

When it comes to ecommerce business, only a few names shine as brightly as Amazon and eBay. These giants have not only revolutionized the way we shop but have also set the gold standard for success in the digital marketplace by expertly adopting ecommerce localization practices.

Want to be the next Amazon? If you want to become the next global phenomenon in the ecommerce industry, then you must go beyond a visually appealing website and a vast product range. You must think about connecting with their customers on a more personal level (something that these big ecommerce giants have mastered to perfection!) by catering to the unique demands and conditions of the target region. This is where website localization, or more precisely e-commerce localization, comes into play. Ecommerce localization is a process that involves adapting your online store to meet the linguistic, cultural, and regulatory requirements of different target markets.

Website translation and localization services go beyond content translation and involve localizing all aspects of the website for a seamless and hassle-free user experience. The process starts with translating website content and goes on to changing the graphics, modifying the designs and layouts, implementing appropriate color schemes, formatting dates, units of measurement, addresses, phone numbers, and currencies, and making your ecommerce website adhere to local regulations and legal requirements.

Why Do You Need Ecommerce Localization?

Now that’s a million-dollar question! Most businesses think that their existing e-store is enough to attract international customers. But did you know that more than 70% of customers prefer to buy products from websites that offer information in their native language? And four in ten customers will never purchase products from websites that offer content in other languages – this means losing out on a huge customer base!

That’s why, ecommerce website localization is important. It keeps your website aligned to the needs and preferences of the local users and helps you win the trust of potential customers, which eventually leads to more business and higher ROI.

But successful localization requires careful planning. You need to adapt all elements of your website as per your target audience. Read on to learn the 7 best practices for successful ecommerce localization.

7 Aspects of Ecommerce Website Localization

1. Do a Thorough Research About Your Target Audience and Market

The first step toward successful website localization is to evaluate your products and the international markets you want to target. The decision should be based on:

• Your existing website traffic: Are international customers visiting your e-commerce website? Are they making a purchase? If not, it may be the time to entice them with a localized website.
• Market Gaps: Check if there are markets where there’s an unmet demand for some products. Do you offer these products on your e-store? If yes, then fill the gaps by localizing your website for those regions and give your business a boost.
• Specific Product Needs: Find products that are popular in specific markets (but might not be popular in your home country) and consider fulfilling those needs.

2. Go Beyond Website Translation

While you may be thinking that translating your website content into a specific language is enough to attract foreign customers, it may alone not serve the purpose. Cultural nuances, preferences, and expectations of your target audience vary from region to region, and something that works in one region might not work in the other. For example, colors have different meanings and significance in different cultures. Using the wrong color theme could send the wrong message to your audience and could lead to cultural faux pas. Similarly, accurately translating idiomatic expressions and humor elements in other languages is difficult and these translations could be misunderstood. Therefore, while entering new markets, it is important to go a step further than basic website translation and give your existing website a complete makeover with ecommerce localization.

Ecommerce localization services providers will not only translate your text into another language but they’ll also customize imagery, design elements, and user experience to align with the cultural norms of each target market. This holistic approach will help you enhance the relevance and appeal of your website in diverse markets, ultimately leading to greater engagement and higher conversion rates.

3. Optimize Currency, Measurements, and Sizing for Local Markets

Currencies and units of measurement vary from country to country. To effectively communicate with international customers, it is important to adapt your website’s currency, measurements, and sizing options to cater to the preferences of each local market. So, use the correct currency codes, symbols, and decimal marks for the convenience of local users.

Also, localize units of measurement and sizes to the preferred unit of measurement. For example, when expanding into Europe, change centimeters and meters, Fahrenheit (°F) to Celsius (°C), inches to centimeter, and so on. This will help your customers easily understand the measurements and dimensions of your product, leading to better conversions and sales.

4. Localize the Visuals Too

A picture speaks a thousand words and updating photos to the ones that reflect the cultural context of your target audience can significantly maximize your website localization efforts. For example, if you sell clothes, hire local models to showcase your products. Similarly, while selling cookware, feature images of local dishes to create a more immersive and relatable experience for your international audience. This will enhance engagement and build trust in your brand.

5. Invest in Local SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the key to improved web presence and brand visibility. But not all users use the same keywords while searching for an item. This especially holds true if the users are from different parts of the world. The languages are different and so are the search behavior and preferences. This is where international SEO (ISEO) comes into play. ISEO involves optimizing your website with local keywords to rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs). By tailoring your SEO efforts to the specific needs and preferences of each target market, you can effectively reach and engage with a global audience, drive more traffic to your website, and ultimately boost your bottom line.

6. Choose a Reliable Payment Processor

Securing the payment processes on your website is extremely important. It enhances the credibility of your website and the trust of your customers. So, while localizing ecommerce website, choose a trusted and preferred payment processor, making shopping easy for customers and encouraging them to come back.

7. Provide Local Customer Support

We all know the importance of excellent customer support. A dedicated team can come to the customer’s rescue when they want to order, return, or raise a complaint against a particular product, ensuring a positive buying experience. This support is vital to run a successful business. So do not discount on the value of it. Consider offering customer support in the native language of customers to help enhance the customer support experience and trust.

By following these ecommerce website localization practices you can not only expand your business in foreign lands but also build a strong customer base.

Take Charge of Your Localization Efforts Today!

eCommerce localization is a multi-step process and often gets overwhelming for busy business owners. Partnering with a professional ecommerce localization agency can make the entire process quick and easy. As experienced professionals, localization experts are well-versed with the nuances and cultural norms of various countries. They can use their experience and expertise to accurately localize your e-store as per your target market.

So, leverage the expertise of a premium ecommerce localization agency like Linguidoor and give your ecommerce business a distinct borderless presence. Connect with us to discuss your requirements and explore how our tailored localization solutions can help you drive global growth.