With your initial market research out of the way, start thinking about how you’ll get paid. International customers, like U.S. customers, often abandon their purchase at the point of payment. So it’s important to make sure consumers have confidence their payment will be handled securely, and that they have the comfort and convenience of paying in a familiar currency using their preferred method.
Know the preferred payment methods of international buyers
Preferred payment methods for cross-border vary by country, so it’s important to understand what’s best for each market you’re targeting. For example, in the Netherlands 57% of international payments are by direct debit; in the Czech Republic 26% of cross-border payments are bank transfer; while in Germany 15% of cross-border payments are by invoicing.1 As you research payment providers, make sure you’re able to offer payment methods your international customers will be comfortable with.
Offer a local currency option
Some ecommerce providers will allow you to list products in a number of different currencies. If that’s a tool they offer, you should use it. If not, consider providing a currency conversion option (at least for key local markets) so customers know exactly how much they’ll be paying in local currency. For buyers logging into their PayPal account to pay, the item cost will be automatically displayed in their local currency.
It’s important to check local variations and offerings before selecting a payment-processing provider. To give yourself flexibility with room to expand into new countries, consider a payment provider with global reach.
Help convert more international sales with PayPal
PayPal, for instance, consistently ranks among the top payment methods for international transactions. Buyers choose it because it's secure, easy to use across devices, and they can receive PayPal Purchase Protection benefits for eligible transactions.1,2 You can accept payments from 200+ markets worldwide in 25 currencies. Our Seller Protection program covers eligible international transactions, so long as you meet program requirements, and we monitor transactions for fraud 24/7, so you can confidently sell in new markets.3
If you’re already using PayPal to accept payments, be sure your account settings are configured to accept local currencies.
If you don't have a PayPal account, visit our signup page to learn more about accepting PayPal.
Additional Resources
For help on how to set up your PayPal accounts to accept international payments, download our guide:
1PayPal commissioned Ipsos MORI PayPal Insights 2018. n=34,000, 31 markets. Online survey of adults (aged 18+) between March – May 2018.
2PayPal Purchase Protection eligibility requirements apply. See eligibility requirements.
3PayPal Seller Protection eligibility requirements apply. See eligibility requirements.