This guide explains how to announce and promote your business's expansion into the European market, highlighting the large customer base and offering tips for social media, newsletter, and website updates.
EU is yours to take
The odds are in your favour!
The European Union (EU) stands as a colossal market, boasting a staggering 445 million consumers whose purchasing behaviours are predominantly centred around online platforms.
In contrast to nations like the USA, EU consumers are well-acquainted with the practice of procuring goods from foreign lands. Notably, cross-border eCommerce in Europe attained an impressive value of 190 billion euros in 2022.
An astounding 74% of EU's internet users are actively engaging in online shopping, with cross-border eCommerce accounting for a substantial 40% of their recent acquisitions. Surprisingly, less than 10% of EU merchants are currently participating in cross-border trade.
What does it all mean?
EU consumers are constantly looking for new sites and brands to shop. The prevailing trend leans towards individualism, with consumers displaying a preference for niche manufacturers and boutique stores over sprawling marketplaces. This landscape unveils significant opportunities for new cross-border sellers. By making slight adjustments and strategic moves, your business stands poised to flourish within the EU — a potential contender to become the next breakthrough success!
What blocks companies from selling to all EU countries
According to the eCommerce survey conducted by the EU Commission, the prevailing challenges faced by companies in achieving successful cross-border sales within the EU can be attributed to VAT regulations, customs procedures, marketing endeavours, and delivery logistics.
EAS is dedicated to simplifying your experience by managing taxes, regulations, and customs-related complexities.
This article serves as a valuable resource, offering practical insights and advice on effectively navigating the realms of EU marketing strategies and delivery operations.
Tell everyone you are delivering to EU
This is a significant announcement – your store has just expanded its horizons to tap into a massive market of 445,000,000 potential customers. Make sure this exciting development reaches everyone's ears!
Numerous clients have stressed the value of teaming up with EAS to ensure compliance. Associating with a compliance partner not only boosts your credibility but also eases potential responsibilities in the event of unexpected delivery complications. We wholeheartedly embrace our public role and enthusiastically encourage you to make use of our logo as you see fit.
. EAS Logos can be downloaded here
1. Social Media
Social media is an easy channel to reach your fans, followers, customers and future customers. Your EU followers have been hoping to hear this announcement.
Guidelines for Crafting Effective Social Media Announcements:
- Build Anticipation: Present this as a momentous occasion, allowing excitement to build around your announcement. A touch of enthusiasm adds to the thrill 🍾.
- Highlight Speedy EU Deliveries: Share the great news through your SoMe channels EU deliveries are not only swift but also completely hassle-free when it comes to taxes and customs post-purchase. Your customers can rest assured that you're devoted to their convenience and satisfaction.
- Launch a Special Campaign: Elevate the impact of your EU sales announcement by launching a celebratory campaign. Offer a tempting incentive such as a -10% discount over the next 7 days, adding an extra layer of excitement to the news.
- Include Your Store Link: To ensure a seamless transition from interest to action, remember to include a direct link to your online store in your announcement.
Engaging your audience through social media empowers you to reach out to fans, followers, current patrons, and potential
2. Newsletter
Your newsletter subscribers have shown their interest in staying informed about your updates. Now is the perfect opportunity to share some exciting news with them!
Guidelines for Crafting an Impactful Newsletter:
- Engage Your Subscribers and Previous EU Customers: Reach out to your newsletter subscribers and your past EU customers to ensure they're among the first to know about this significant development.
- Incorporate Social Media Tips: Utilize the insights provided earlier in the social media section to create engaging and compelling content for your newsletter.
- Showcase Your Products: Don't forget to highlight at least one of your exceptional products. Remember, it's your offerings that pique their interest.
- Visual Appeal with Images: Enhance the visual allure of your newsletter by incorporating captivating images. Make your newsletter visually stimulating and enticing.
- Connect Through Links: Strengthen your online presence by linking your Social Media Channels and online store. This encourages seamless navigation and interaction for your subscribers.
Pssst.. If you don’t give your customers or visitors a chance to subscribe newsletter, you should.
Here’s how to add a newsletter signup to Shopify Shop
3. Website announcement bar / top banner
When EU consumer lands on your online store, they want to know immediately if you are shipping to EU. A light announcement bar is a great tool for that!
A text-only top banner is a stylish way of announcing news or campaigns on your landing page.
Here’s a video on how to create a top header in Shopify
Examples for an announcement bar:
- “We deliver globally! EU orders are delivered taxes and duties paid.”
- “We deliver worldwide! Orders to EU include prepaid taxes and duties.”
- “Worldwide shipping! Taxes and duties for EU orders are included in the delivery.”
4. Update your delivery page
When a customer lands on an online store, they usually check delivery terms from the footer to see if they are delivering to the customer’s location. If you don’t tell about easy EU deliveries, you are missing sales.
Here’s an example of a good text for the delivery page:
EU Deliveries
Our aim is to ensure that each customer enjoys an exceptional purchasing experience. At MyStore, we manage EU taxes during the checkout process for all orders under 150€, thereby eliminating the need for you to encounter unexpected duties, customs handling fees, or additional charges upon the arrival of your order.
- Taxes are paid at checkout.
VAT and any other applicable taxes will be included in the order total at checkout. This means that there will be no additional fees upon delivery. - No additional fees upon delivery.
Once your order has been shipped, you will not be charged any additional fees upon delivery. This includes VAT, customs duties, and any other taxes or charges. - The duty-free threshold for the EU is 150€.
If the value of your order is less than 150€ (excluding VAT and shipping), you will
not be charged any customs duties. However, if the value of your order is more than 150€, you may be charged customs duties and taxes upon arrival.
EU Deliveries
Our aim is to ensure that each customer enjoys an exceptional purchasing experience. At MyStore, we manage EU taxes during the checkout process for all orders under 150€, thereby eliminating the need for you to encounter unexpected duties, customs handling fees, or additional charges upon the arrival of your order.
- Taxes are paid at checkout.
VAT and any other applicable taxes will be included in the order total at checkout. This means that there will be no additional fees upon delivery. - No additional fees upon delivery.
Once your order has been shipped, you will not be charged any additional fees upon delivery. This includes VAT, customs duties, and any other taxes or charges. - The duty-free threshold for the EU is 150€.
If the value of your order is less than 150€ (excluding VAT and shipping), you will not be charged any customs duties. However, if the value of your order is more than 150€, you may be charged customs duties and taxes upon arrival.