Cross-border foreign exchange business is easier said than done
Is your foreign exchange business thriving in the destination country? It will be successful in other countries too, right? In most cases, yes. But there's a good chance it won't be an international success.
Cross-border foreign exchange business is easier said than done. New markets bring new challenges, so it's important for CEOs and top company executives to carefully consider their options before entering new geographies. Have you picked the right market? Do you have the resources and budget?
Before launching a global business, you should ask yourself a few important questions...
1. Where is my target market?
Everyone talks about the huge market potential in a certain area. Time and time again you hear how good it is to start a foreign exchange business in a certain region. A country might sound like a gold mine for your forex brand, but do you really think so? I mean, do you really think so?
You need to figure out whether there is real customer demand for your forex product/service in the target country. Are your customers international? Does your foreign exchange brand have real demand abroad? Do market research, target your customers, and really figure out where in the world your forex business has potential. This way, you will be ready to penetrate the real market with your product.
2. Is my forex website translated into the language of the target market?
Your website is the face of your forex brand. The vast majority of new customers learn about you from your website. Have you made sure your website is translated into the language of your target market? To grow your Forex business, you need to get your message across in the right language as it resonates with your audience.
If you only offer your forex services in one language, such as English, you run the risk of losing potential international clients. Consider the fact that only 28% of Europeans can read English! Hire a professional translator agency to translate your website content. Content supported in multiple languages not only attracts global customers, but also improves brand reputation, retention and ROI.
3. Have I recruited the right team?
Imagine serving different geographies but having staff who speak only one language. You are out of luck. Once your foreign exchange business starts to expand abroad, you need to hire employees who are native speakers of the local language. In different cultures and nations, dialects, words, idioms, and terms are different.
According to James Hunt, an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, "closing a deal overseas can be very different from what you've experienced in the past."
You don't want to offend or be unable to communicate with your foreign clients. In order to prevent communication barriers and achieve international business expansion, you should ensure that your team understands the culture and habits of overseas markets. Therefore, it is wise to invest in hiring multilingual staff.
4. Have I considered legal issues?
Laws and regulations vary from country to country. Getting a contract in one region might be a completely different (and more complicated) experience in another. Some laws, such as tax laws, in other jurisdictions may differ from yours. You don't want to be weighed down by a lot of paperwork when you can focus on your forex business goals.
One of the most important steps when expanding your forex business globally is taking the time to research local regulations and laws. You can even hire legal advisors or lawyers before venturing into overseas markets. Being prepared in terms of legal issues can help ensure a smooth entry into overseas markets.
5. Do I have a budget?
Last but not least, take the time to consider your budget. After all, this is one of the most important factors to consider before starting a global forex business. Do you have the funds for website translation and localization? This can be quite costly (but well worth it). Do you have enough money to hire multilingual staff?
If you plan to operate your physical business globally (i.e. set up offices around the world), give limited consideration to the exchange rates and tax structures of different countries. Entering the international market is not easy if you do not have sufficient capital.
These are important questions to keep in mind when starting a global forex business. International markets offer significant opportunities for business growth, but you have to do it the right way...