International Business Guide: Essential Tips for Non-US Merchants

International Business Guide: Essential Tips for Non-US Merchants

By Michael Chen

November 21, 2024 at 01:02 AM

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.

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