With a weakening dollar and more consumers buying online (and using the Internet), going global is an enticing proposition for U.S.-based retailers. However, there are drawbacks to servicing customers abroad. The chance of credit card fraud is three times higher outside the US and Canada; you have to deal with international customs and tariffs; and you also have to keep in mind the high cost of international customer service (varying time zones, language barriers, etc.)
Ecommerce-guide.com spotlights iShopUSA.com, an online international shipping and processing service for U.S.-based retailers. Instead of an individual company handling, shipping, and processing international orders, iShopUSA.com handles credit card screenings, customer service, and shipping. iShopUSA has made business easier for smaller businesses who cannot afford to expand its services beyond North American borders.
iShopUSA requires integration with your current eCommerce platform. Representatives from Amazingsocks.com and EyeSave.com say integration can take a few minutes or a few hours depending on the site. With our ECF, for example, it's entirely possible to integrate iShopUSA because of its open design--with the option of multi-site and multi-language support if you want to have an international version of your store.
If you're a U.S.-based retailer looking to expand, iShopUSA coupled with the ECF or another eCommerce platform seems to be the logical choice.
Posted
Jul 29 2008, 03:03 PM
by
Richly Chheuy