| International shipping chargesshould not be a | | | | concern. Of course, there are the infamous "kings of |
| deterrent to global marketing. | | | | chargebacks" and "emperors of stolen credit cards" |
| Lots of manufacturers and distributors in the U.S. | | | | (Nigeria, Indonesia, Israel...just to name a few), but |
| have been hesitant about marketing their products | | | | even in those "high risk markets", you can have a |
| internationally when considering the shipping rates. | | | | special requirement. For example, you can demand a |
| Of course, shipping internationally involves a much | | | | copy of their passport or a government ID to be |
| steeper charge than when sending goods | | | | faxed along with the credit card information... Where |
| domestically. However, those marketing products and | | | | someone in Switzerland would take offense for such |
| services internationally should consider that their rate | | | | requirement, someone ordering from Pakistan would |
| card is in U.S. dollars. For instance, if you were trying | | | | perfectly understand! In other terms, along with your |
| to market a product to the European community | | | | order form, you could post a list of countries where |
| (let's not forget that Europe has close to 100 million | | | | a government ID/passport copy is required with the |
| more users than North American), the Euro has been | | | | order. |
| consistently stronger than the U.S. dollar over the last | | | | In spite of all the logistics involved when marketing |
| five years and today is about 35% stronger than the | | | | globally, in no way should international shipping |
| U.S. dollar. Furthermore, the average sales tax in | | | | charges be considered as a deterrent. Companies like |
| Europe is about 20%. Such sales tax does not exist | | | | eBay make most of their revenue from their foreign |
| on international orders. | | | | markets combined together...Google reports over |
| In other terms, a potential buyer in Europe would | | | | 50% of its traffic comes from multilingual |
| save 35% just on the rate of exchange and another | | | | platforms...Start marketing internationally and benefit |
| 20% from not paying sales tax. | | | | from the global economy factor! |
| Another point to consider is the fact that shipping | | | | In an absurd effort to fight foreign trade deficits, the |
| rates in Europe are close to 20-30% higher than | | | | Federal Reserve has managed embarrassingly to |
| those of the U.S. Postal Service. (If you feel like | | | | maintain the dollar for years at a record low...I am not |
| complaining about postal rate increases, move to | | | | here to comment politically nor ethically on such |
| Paris or London and start thinking about how lucky | | | | situation, but rather as an international online |
| you were in the U.S.!) Try to think of the international | | | | marketing specialist. I am just saying, "USA, it is time |
| rates minus 20% (postal rates difference from | | | | to take advantage of such financial situation!" With |
| European rates) minus 35% on the rate of exchange | | | | some of the most competitive products in the |
| + another 20% savings from no sales tax...Truly, such | | | | marketplace and a strong business reputation, the |
| financial consideration puts international marketing in a | | | | shattered dollar will play to your advantage on |
| different light. | | | | international markets. There are too many reasons |
| The fraud factor has contributed, as well, to slowing | | | | why you should diversify by going global: Do not |
| down international marketing endeavors. Oftentimes, | | | | even think about international shipping rates as an |
| people will question the payment gateway available | | | | objection!! International shipping charges should not be |
| when doing business internationally. This is a legitimate | | | | a deterrent to global marketing. |