The international digital knowledge key for new hires

Since ecommerce has existed, there have been buzzwords, new ‘cutting edge’ solutions and big ‘guaranteed’ future trends. Needless to say, separating the wheat from the chaff is not always easy and understanding where time and money must be concentrated is even harder.

Out of all these recent fads, international market opportunities for UK ecommerce is here to stay, and it will only continue to grow in the coming years as new markets achieve higher levels of internet penetration and consumers adopt online purchasing as a daily activity. UK online retailers are increasingly becoming aware of this potential however with this desired expansion strategy in mind there is, increasingly, an internal knowledge gap as to who has the understanding internally to put together a market entry strategy.

International awareness: a competitive advantage

As an individual looking to enter an eCommerce set up, there are a number of key competitive advantages, regardless of the position that you are applying for, that can help you stand apart from the crowd. Based on the potential export markets for your new company, a foundation knowledge of the following is only going to stand you in better stead compared to the competition:

• National market trends: Online and offline purchasing behaviour, demand levels
• Top market players in the industry: Looking not only at online startups but also at established retailers and omni-channel players
• How consumers are connected: All devices used and what they use each device for – purchasing / browsing /communicating
• How consumers are shopping: Offline or Online, where they are researching product information
• Social Media Channels and how they are being used: Branding, communication, purchasing
• Marketplaces: Who are the dominant players, who are the niche players, which competitors are already present. Basing your research on the product your company is selling, a little research into the options available will give you an idea of the potential initial market entry strategy
• Most responsive outbound marketing channels: From email to display to affiliation
• Payments: Each region has their own host of payment solutions (Debit, credit, cash on delivery…) and preferences while using them.

Although you are not looking to be an expert on all global regions, doing a little research about where you feel your new company could begin its international journey, why you think a given market could be successful, and how you could imagine your UK centric role encompassing this growth would show that you are thinking with, and even ahead, of the game.

Eager to expand into global markets? Get in touch with James and Neil at PIVOT and find out how they make marketplaces easy.