Ready to take your business global? Discover the secrets to building trust, what elements can make or break your expansion, and the one piece of advice you can't afford to ignore. Dive in!
We recently had a chat with Jess Mirabello, Senior Partner Manager at Trustpilot, who shared some invaluable insights on this topic. Trustpilot is a global leader in facilitating trust in online transactions, operating across 200 countries. They specialize in creating social proof to drive more traffic and increase conversions for businesses.
When you're entering a new market, chances are, not many people will know who you are. Jess emphasized the importance of leveraging your existing customer base to build trust in new markets. Consumer behaviors vary from market to market, and understanding these nuances can be a game-changer.
Jess also highlighted the need for businesses to have their social proof and user-generated content ready to go. Trustpilot, for instance, focuses on automating the collection of verified reviews to build a healthy trust score. This score can then be displayed across various platforms, including Google, thanks to their partnership.
Jess mentioned that government resources can be a goldmine for businesses looking to expand. Most countries have resource available through dedicated trade focussed departments. These entities can introduce you to key figures and mentors who have been through the same journey, saving you from making costly mistakes.
"If you can learn from someone else's mistakes and make things faster for yourself, then I would always encourage to look and do that," Jess advises. This could mean tapping into free resources or seeking mentorship from those who have successfully expanded their businesses internationally.
Biggest gem from Jess? "Pick your market, set aside a budget, and understand what your success metrics are going to be to test that. Then once you've tested it, I would wholeheartedly commit to that market and give it every shot that you possibly can." This means everything from local language support to customer service hours should be tailored to your new market.
Before you start hiring locally, look for ways to scale efficiently. Government agencies can help make introductions, and technology can often fill gaps without the need for a local presence.
One of the great ways to build trust is to work with a Trustpilot partner to quickly build the trust and credibility strategies for your brand. Web Antler is a Trustpilot Partner who can help you with this and even get you discounts. Click the badge and get in touch with us to learn more.
So there you have it. Whether you're just considering international expansion or are in the thick of it, these insights can serve as your roadmap to success. Trust, resources, and commitment—get these right, and the world could be your oyster.
