Sales channels to reach your customers
Reaching customers overseas
Selling abroad presents a whole new series of opportunities but also challenges. For example:
Do you have the financial and other resources to exploit the market?
Have you done the necessary market research?
Do you understand local regulations?
How will you handle delivery and payment?
How will you provide after-sales service?
Selling directly to customers overseas requires you to deal with all these challenges yourself, but can be a relatively straightforward option. For example, you might set up an e-commerce website and accept overseas orders, or use trade shows to market your business overseas.
Alternatively, you may want to work with a distributor or agent who already has the local market knowledge and contacts that you need.
The most complex – but potentially the most rewarding – option can be to establish your own local presence. For example, you might open a local office or set up a joint venture.