More than 70 percent of the world’s purchasing power resides outside the United States. That fact isn’t lost on small and medium sized companies which represent 98 percent of the U.S. firms reaching across borders to sell their products and services. If you are one of them, you know that entering the export market comes with its own set of unique challenges – including how to develop an effective international marketing program. Figuring out how all of the pieces fit into the marketing puzzle will increase your chances of celebrating success in each country you enter.

First, there is the obvious: different languages and customs require translation and an understanding of how your industry and products are perceived. Your website, for example, will continue to be the window through which potential customers learn about your products and gain a feeling of trust in doing business with you. It’s important to localize your website for each country you enter, both in appearance and performance, such as loading quickly. Help customers find your website by identifying and using key words they would use to describe your industry and product offerings.

Content marketing is an important part of your international marketing plan. Through the four-step content marketing process, you pull customers to your website by providing helpful content, and generating quality leads that become customers. The key is to “internationalize” your content to reflect the culture of each country you are targeting.

To learn more about how to more effectively market your international business, download our free guide, Best Practices to Grow your International Business.