International shipping and logistics via pickup points

The modern world has made it easier than ever for all companies to enter international markets. This field is no longer exclusive to multinational giants, and many businesses with modest beginnings have achieved success in going international.

The process, however, is complex, and the landscape can be intensely competitive. This is a brief guide in which we will explore the main stages of that journey and some key points not to neglect.

We will also address the issue of international logistics and the reasons why the InPost Pick-up Point and Locker network is the perfect way to send your parcels, whether domestic or abroad.

The first step to take is also one of the most critical for success. A detailed investigation is, first and foremost, the way to identify opportunities and choose target markets. Part of its purpose is to narrow the focus of action, outlining the boundaries for immediate ambitions.

Research should include areas such as the target market's economy (that is, general economic indicators, purchasing power, economic cycles, forecasts, etc.), consumer behavior (from cultural characteristics to buying habits, including sensitivity to price changes, tendency toward brand loyalty, etc.), competition, and the laws and regulations that may affect your operations.

Drawing up a strategy consists of defining specific objectives and the approaches to achieve them. The strategy will serve as a guide for future action; it is also often useful for presenting, for example to a partner or funding source, your future plans.

The strategy will normally consist of several parts, such as the financial plan, the approach to international logistics, etc. Of course, the strategy should be outlined based on the data gathered during the research phase. For example, the marketing strategy should take into account the most popular communication channels and styles in the destination country.

No company operates in isolation, and this fact only becomes more obvious in foreign markets. If you establish local partnerships, do not neglect visits: despite the resources that digital media place at our disposal, professional relationships continue to benefit from personal contact and physical presence.

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to establishing relationships is alignment of visions for the future and values. In many countries around the world, for example, sustainability is an increasingly important factor for consumers, and choosing partnerships that value environmental responsibility can be a decisive factor.

One of the most crucial relationships that an online store can establish, whether for the domestic or foreign market, is with a logistics partner, for parcel transport; we will return to this issue later on.

A basic but fundamental and sometimes underestimated point, when you want to sell to another country, is the need to communicate in the destination language. This involves not only adapting the website, but also marketing and customer support.

For companies that are not yet ready to “dive in” fully to the foreign market and communicate in the new language, marketplaces can be an easy way to “test the waters” and begin contact with a market.

Another element that may need immediate “translation” is payment. In all countries of the European Union in which the InPost network operates, the Euro is used, so you won't need to worry about currency, but even so the preferred payment methods—and even habits—can vary quite a lot from country to country.

Statistics show that many people abandon a purchase if their preferred payment method is not available.

If you plan to sell abroad, shipping logistics are one of the most decisive elements for success, and the InPost pick-up point network represents an unbeatable approach to efficiency and convenience, perfectly designed for digital commerce. You can learn more about the advantages of InPost's service on our page.

See our business offer and contact us today to give your logistics a new direction.