Expanding to Europe

[Blow-Me]

Has anyone recently tried to gain business in Europe and has some experiance to share?

I have a wholesale business that supplies retailers and we have a handful of customers in Europe already however never marketed there.

My basic plan is via the internet:
I have translated the site into many languages and the next step is adwords and SEO to get some european traffic...

Is there anything else I should be doing?

Am looking at trade magazines to advertise in but the language barrier is tricky.

Any other advice?

TIA

 

[ADW]

All depends on what the product is really. Don't know if it related to your site.

They have large wholesale chains in Europe that cover several Countries for the Convenience sectors which are also over here. Many of these wholesalers are happy to communicate in English but aren't easy to get into. Certainly no harm in contacting the main distributors to get the ball rolling.

 

[red-source]

There are a handful of HUGE exhibitions spread throughout europe. My company has found these quite successful. Depends on your product ofcourse. make sure you have a translator and someone who knows about that specific country`s procedures though otherwise things can get quite tricky.

 

[Pab]

I have translated the site into many languages and the next step is adwords and SEO to get some european traffic...

Is there anything else I should be doing?

You need to think how you will service potential business from overseas.

It is commonly thought that translating your website is enough to do business overseas, but what about telephone calls, email enquiries, order problems, event arranging? Food for thought.

Generally speaking, English is the language of business, but if you're communicating to people in their language (via your translated website), expect them to communicate back in that language. Then what happens?

You could also benefit from some cultural advice for the markets you're trying to penetrate... a few considerations: Does your brand name work in other languages? Is it culturally appropriate? Does it have any positive or negative associations? Are your site and materials localised, not just translated? And so on.

It sounds as though you already have a link with a translation company. If they're worth their salt, they should be able to provide advice overcoming language barriers in different situations and some insight into the best practices in your target countries.

 

[Blow-Me]

Thanks for the replies. Not related to my site...

It's for a business that sell jewellery parts / spares to watchmakers and Jewellers so quite targeted.

I am familar with the Basel fair which we attend however looking at an online approach.

Paul - can you PM me your rates.

 

[Pab]

Paul - can you PM me your rates.

Of course. I'll send a message shortly.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Very interesting. No matter what has transpired politically over the last few decades, we still think of "Europe" as a place across the channel. The OP is not "expanding into other parts of Europe" but "expanding into Europe". Do you think, as Brits, we'll ever really feel part of a union?

 

[Pab]

Very interesting. No matter what has transpired politically over the last few decades, we still think of "Europe" as a place across the channel. The OP is not "expanding into other parts of Europe" but "expanding into Europe". Do you think, as Brits, we'll ever really feel part of a union?

It's an interesting point, Steve.

As I see it, there are a number of things that fuel the divide... Language, currency and water.