E-commerce checklist

When you sell goods online to customers in other countries, you must comply with the laws and regulations in the customer's country. As an international e-commerce business, you need a sound understanding of the regulations and other technical barriers to trade in the market. You also need to understand your customers' online shopping preferences.

Here is a short checklist to go through before you launch your online store:

• Prepare thoroughly and learn about the local market.
• Adapt your website to the local language, culture and purchasing behaviour.
• Choose the right payment solution for each market.
• Offer clear and simple terms of sale that your customers can understand.
• Explore how you should adapt deliveries to local conditions in terms of timing, delivery location and price.
• Make sure you use a reputable logistics provider.
• Check the local rules for processing personal data. Do not ask customers for more personal data than necessary.
• Check the website information requirements in each country you plan to sell to.
• Build trust by using locally recognised security seals, quality marks, certifications and familiar local logos.
• See how other e-commerce businesses already established in the market do it.

Be prepared to invest in marketing your business during the market entry phase to build visibility and attract customers.