Online store expansion to Germany

Germany is Europe’s strongest economy. More than 90% of the population actively uses the Internet and the online shopping figures are really high. The volume of German e‑commerce is growing by about 10% annually. In 2020, the market was worth EUR 80 billion. At NK Expand, we can help you successfully expand into the German market.

WHY EXPAND INTO GERMANY?

Prices in German online stores are higher compared to Central European countries. If you can satisfy the high demands of German customers for flawless customer service, excellent references and fast delivery, you have a great chance of succeeding in the vast German market. You will be rewarded with higher margins and a higher average value per order. In Germany, the latter is around 140 €.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN EXPANDING INTO GERMANY?

The German market is quite specific in many respects. Germans are demanding customers and sticklers for speed and quality, but also online store credibility. The credibility of online shops in Germany is dramatically enhanced by online store certifications (for example, from Trusted Shops), references, a local telephone number and the address of a collection point or establishment in Germany. The largest online player in the German market is Amazon and the number one product comparator is Idealo.

Perfect German is an absolute must. Websites, including product descriptions, must be localized by native Germans and adapted to German cultural customs. Native Germans should also be used for customer support. It is also necessary to comply with legislative obligations under the German online sales laws. NK Expand can help you with all these issues.

Although the German economy is one of the strongest in the world, there are still areas with significantly lower purchasing power, in particular in the eastern part of Germany. This should be taken into account when geo‑targeting your ads.

Should you require more in‑depth information on what to look out for when expanding your online shop into Germany, we can conduct foreign market research as part of our service.

83,2 mil.

population

euro

currency

14,6%

year‑on‑year growth of e‑commerce

83%

number of online shoppers

ca 190 000

number of online shops

95%

percentage of internet users among the population

440

population per online shop

83,3 bn. €

e‑commerce volume

SERVICES FOR YOUR EXPANSION TO GERMANY

Customer support in foreign laguages

Looking to ensure the success of your online store abroad? Then excellent customer support in the local language is an absolute must. Having the option to call a local phone number or write a query in the local language substantially increases the credibility of an online store in the eyes of customers. Professional customer support provided by NK Expand is intended for online shops expanding abroad.

Keyword analysis in a foreign language

Keyword analysis is the basis for any successful online shop expansion abroad. An in‑depth analysis provides important information on how foreign customers search for your products and services on the internet. This helps to precisely identify which foreign language keywords to target and what improvements are required.

SEO translation and localization of website and online store

The expansion of an online store abroad usually entails considerable costs. A substantial part of these costs relate to SEO translation and website localization in order to make sure that visitors to the website in the given country feel that it reads naturally in their own language. Of equal importance is how easily the website can be found on the internet ‑ so that potential customers can visit the online shop and make their purchases.

Online marketing for expansion abroad

Online marketing for foreign expansion that works! To support your online shop expansion abroad, we provide the following services ‑ SEO optimization, PPC advertising, direct e‑mailing and social media communications. By using the correct tone for communications, appropriate keywords in a foreign language and originally written SEO texts, visitors of your online store will quickly turn into customers.

Foreign market research

Are you serious about expanding your online shop abroad? Then we will agree that good preparation and market research are the basis for success. Without a clear idea about market potential or proven interest from target groups, investment in expansion is a non‑starter. Our specialists can prepare complete source materials, provide recommendations and help to properly prepare your online store for expansion abroad.

Legal and administrative assistance abroad

Do you run an online shop and plan to expand abroad? In this case, it is desirable to offer customers the option to pay into a local bank account in the local currency and to ensure that the business terms and conditions are in accordance with the laws of the country. It is very likely that the establishment of a collection point or a local branch will have to follow in time. We are available to help with all of these matters.

Content creation in foreign languages

NK Expand can help you create high‑quality content in foreign languages that will be useful and/or entertaining for your customers, which they will then be happy to share with others. Our native foreign language speakers and copywriters can create high‑quality content that respects the local culture and target group and will convert new visitors into customers. You can easily improve your business results with this form of casual marketing.

Business development for online shop expansion abroad

Are you expanding to a new market abroad with your online store and would you like to improve your business results? Then try our business development service for online shop expansion abroad. We will find B2B contacts for you, which you can use as the basis for the foreign distribution network of your online shop.

SUMMARY

Germany is a huge market with high purchasing power. Germans like to shop online, but are not as price sensitive as in other countries. The German market is therefore very attractive for online shops. If you have excellent customer service provided by native speakers of German, positive references, and can process orders and deliver goods quickly, you have a great chance of succeeding in Germany.

At NK Expand, we can help you with everything you need for your expansion into Germany. Read about how we helped a warehouse window retailer expand into Germany. Today, the company successfully operates Fenster Sofort online stores in Germany and Austria. On the back of this success, it is now considering further expansion into other European countries. Contact us and let our specialists help you expand your online shop to Germany as well.

Online store expansion to Germany

Large but difficult online market