International Business Guide: Essential Tips for Non-US Merchants
Optimizing your e-commerce store for international markets requires specific adjustments to provide the best experience for customers outside the United States.
Language and Region Settings
- Adjust your site's embedded text language in Language and Region settings
- Create a multilingual website to serve international customers
- Use region-appropriate domain extensions (e.g., .com.au for Australia, .de for Germany)
Currency and Measurements
- Set store currency to match your payment processor's bank account
- Adjust measurement units for weight (kilograms) and dimensions (meters)
- Configure shipping calculations based on local measurement systems
Legal Requirements
- Create an impressum page for EU-based businesses
- Implement GDPR compliance measures
- Follow local newsletter subscription laws
- Enable VAT-inclusive pricing where required
- Set up country-specific tax rules
- Add provincial tax rates for Canadian stores
Shipping Optimization
- Create shipping zones for international destinations
- Connect shipping extensions like Easyship or Shippo for:
- Reduced international shipping rates
- Custom carrier options
- Package tracking
- Automated returns
Tax Configuration
- Set country-specific tax rules
- Configure provincial taxes for Canada
- Enable VAT pricing for applicable regions
- Display taxes appropriately on receipts
Newsletter Management
- Disable automatic mailing list enrollment if required by local laws
- Configure opt-in settings at checkout
- Comply with anti-spam legislation
These adjustments help ensure your store meets local requirements while providing a seamless shopping experience for international customers.