Start exporting today
- For more information call Export Box
- 0845 367 0118
- or visit
- www.exportbox.co.uk
Reach new customers
With over 1.6 billion people online making hundreds of millions of searches everyday, it is vital to have a digital presence. But is your website suitable for foreign markets?
Translating your site is one of the most important steps to international success. Your site might work well in the UK, but will a foreign customer understand any complex jargon, confusing idioms or colloquial phrases that might be on there?
Needless to say, you also need to make sure people can find your website: search engines and pay per click (PPC) advertising provide a simple, cost-effective way of doing this. To help UK businesses get started we have partnered with Applied Language Solutions (a professional translation company) to help you take your first steps with a new offering called The Export Box.
Export Box
In association with Applied Language Solutions.
Export Box: Your one-stop-shop for exporting to anywhere in the world
If you’re thinking of expanding into foreign markets but you aren’t sure where to start, Export Box provides you with everything you need to begin exporting - all in one place!
You may have not tried exporting in the past because you don’t have prior experience, or knowledge of foreign languages. Thankfully, with Export Box, those barriers no longer exist, which leaves you free to sell your goods and services in any foreign market.
In purchasing the Export Box for the package price of £3,000 you will get:
- A translated website, consisting of dedicated landing pages for specific search terms (up to 5 pages - worth £150)
- Keywords researched for target country in target language (up to 100 words - worth £400)
- Google AdWords adverts designed in target language (5 creatives)
- Multilingual PPC campaign management
- £1000 worth of paid advertising on Google PPC plus a free £200 Google voucher
- £1000 worth of language support which you can use for
- Brochures and business cards
- Email translation
- Telephone interpreting support
- Membership to the Institute of Export to support you in your venture (worth £250)
- Discounted international banking with HSBC
- Free Alibaba.com Export Storefront: The world’s largest online B2B marketplace
- Exclusive discount for Alibaba.com premium membership
Contact details
Language Support Services
If you’re new to Google Export Adviser and have experience of translation services, Applied Language Solutions are offering a 10% discount on all their language support services.
All translations are carried out by highly qualified linguists who are based in-country and translate only into their native tongue. Applied Language Solutions' linguists will also have experience of your industry, thus making sure your translations are truly localised and targeted to your audience.
Language support services include:
- Website translation
- Email translation
- Marketing translation
- Advert translation for all your Google AdWords campaigns
- Document translation
- Instant telephone interpreting
- English proofreading
- Language courses
Contact details
Like to know more? Why not get a free quote.
- For more information call Applied Language Solutions
- 0845 367 7000
- or visit
- www.appliedlanguage.com
Get a web presence
Top translation tips
Consider countries targeted:
Ensure all translated materials are localised for the countries being targeted. A user in Spain may expect different content than a user in Mexico, for example, even though both speak the same language.
Use English spelling & word variations:
Consider keyword spelling variations across English-speaking countries, e.g. if targeting the US, the term "tyre" is unlikely to be searched on, whereas the term "tire" would drive more traffic.
Keep things simple:
Keep the terminology and content of the website and ad campaigns as simple as possible. Acronyms, idioms, and technical terms will be harder to localise.
Be mindful of different cultural connotations:
Think about colours and graphics when localising the site. These aspects can have an impact on the way the site is perceived in various countries. Certain graphics and images may hold different meanings in different parts of the world as well.
Ensure the ad campaigns & website promote the business:
Use high quality translation services for the website and ad campaigns and ensure that all sub-links on the website are translated into the language (product specifications, terms and conditions, customer service pages).
Looking for trusted translation/localisation service providers?
Language bodies such as CILT, The National Centre for Languages provide information on sourcing providers; click here for a link to CILT’s online resources.
Contact your local professional bodies, and/or chambers of commerce who will often keep lists of trusted translators.
Drive traffic
79% of internet users say that search engines are their primary source when looking for products & services online. This means it is important that you have a presence in both natural and paid search results.
Free AdWords voucher
Are you ready to start exporting abroad? If you are new to AdWords, and start a campaign targeting foreign markets, you could get a up to £300 worth of FREE advertising to help you get started. Contact our export sales team to find out more.
Just want to get started now? Sign up to Google AdWords today!
Already advertising with Google AdWords? Here are some tips for how to expand internationally:
- Create a new campaign or new account for each target market in order to have budget control
- Translate keywords and Ad texts Export Box offer
- Preview what the ad will look like in the desired country
- Set targeting to pre-defined markets and/or specific languages
- Set a Budget
- Schedule ads keeping in mind applicable time differences
- Implement Conversion Tracking and/or Google Analytics
Important things to consider when targeting new customers in foreign markets:
Local prices
Products' prices or specific local offers should be stated in the currency of the target country. The final price including taxes should also be stated.
Shipping internationally
Information on shipping costs, taxes and duties and estimated arrival time for each country targeted on the landing page should be included. Also ensure that policies on international returns and the associated costs are clearly stated.
Seasonality/holidays
When launching new products or offers, consider local holidays in different countries. For example, if selling retail products to the US, it might be important to launch the campaign and be more competitive around Thanksgiving Day, as a lot of American shops introduce big sales the day after.
Customer support
Unless targeting a country where a majority of the population can speak English (e.g. Sweden, Netherlands), it is important to offer some degree of support in the local language. Include information on the landing page regarding whom customers in a specific country can contact (email and/or phone) in case they need help with deliveries, or other customised customer service information. Keep in mind time differences if offering phone/live chat support, or if guaranteeing specific turnaround times for response to queries.
Website
Ensure the text in the target language reads on a native level. If the translated page is poor, this will give the user less confidence about receiving a good service or the page might seem less trustworthy. If the website is not yet localised, site localisation can be done as part of the Export Box package.
Local laws and customs
Before offering a product/service in a different country, verify whether there are any restrictions around import, packaging, and/or any additional fees. For example, any consumer product sold in the UAE must be labelled in Arabic, while Korea has instituted a ban on the use of PVC shrink wrap due to environmental concerns. For more country-specific information, please visit the UKTI (UK Trade Investment) site.
Become familiar with cultural sensitivities specific to the countries being targeted. For example, in some countries advertising that contains any allusion to religion might be seen as offensive.
Local branding and competition
A brand that is well-known within the UK may not be as well-known in other countries. It is important to create advertising that is specific to the country being targeted. Capitalising on the brand name may work in UK-specific advertising, but may be less effective in other countries.
Become familiar with local competitors, and understand the local pricing structures, service expectations etc.
Tracking & measuring results
When targeting a different country, it is important to continuously monitor and improve campaign results. A strategy that works well in the UK may need to be adjusted to meet local conditions and preferences.
Implement Conversion Tracking and/or Google Analytics to gain an understanding about which keywords and ad texts work.
Using Online Marketplaces
Online B2B marketplaces are fantastic places to promote your products free of charge and get them in front of millions of potential buyers around the globe. Alibaba.com offers free international marketing and support tools such as an easy-to-set-up ‘shop front’ for up to 50 distinct product postings, access to buying leads, real-time messaging systems, trade alerts and comprehensive industry research data and news of relevance to your industry-type.
Alibaba.com is the world’s leading business-to-business e-commerce company. Founded in 1999, Alibaba.com makes it easy for millions of buyers and suppliers from around the world to do business online. The international marketplace connects a community of 8 million registered users from over 240 countries and across more than 40 industry categories. It’s an ever-growing, 24-7 trade show, showcasing products from around the world and connecting buyers and sellers directly with just a few clicks.
Alibaba.com is free to join for suppliers and buyers.
Premium Gold Supplier Membership comes with a number of additional incentives including verified-supplier status, highest search result listings, unlimited product listings and many other additional benefits. Get your exclusive Gold Supplier discount as part of the Export Box.
Take the Alibaba.com Tour here to find out more about how to buy and sell through the website
Some other useful links:
