According to research conducted by Alibaba Group in collaboration with YouGov, just over half of small and medium-sized enterprises in the European Union export their products to other EU countries, of which about 54% recognize that digital export plays a fundamental role in growing within an increasingly competitive market. Digital transformation currently affects all areas, offering indisputable advantages to companies operating in logistics and maritime transport, where proper planning is increasingly necessary to achieve results from digital export activity. In both B2C and B2B, using digital technologies across business processes becomes essential to drive positive performance and improve international shipping management. What are the main digital tools used to sell abroad?
Over 50% of European SMEs export their products to other EU countries.
54% recognize the fundamental role of digital export.
5 digital tools to improve your international shipments
Market globalization and online communication multiply opportunities to establish commercial relationships with potential customers, helping reach users worldwide faster and more effectively. However, there are no shortcuts: digital arrival does not replace necessary skills for approaching foreign markets, but complements classic tools available to businesses to improve international logistics and shipping management, guaranteeing efficiency and speed. The main channels and tools to sell online abroad and better manage international shipments include:
- E-commerce and multilingual websites: The primary digital tool to sell online abroad remains a multilingual e-commerce store (or similar platform): it will be essential not only to focus on high-quality translations, but above all to plan global site adaptation reflecting target country culture, values, and identity, from layout formats to design, writing systems, and content. Despite encouraging data, many SMEs still lack a competitive online store for international sales: according to SACE data, until recent years most companies focused on offline export via importers, distributors, and physical retail outlets. A professional website with optimized content significantly improves online visibility and opens global opportunities. However, relying on a simple online catalog is not enough. Managing web presence to make commercial offers user-friendly, attractive, and competitive in every language is necessary to create value in new markets.
- International Marketplaces: Mapping popular marketplaces in target markets is essential for managing international shipments effectively and selling abroad. Third-party portals provide valid B2B support, indispensable for reaching target audiences and gaining international visibility. Being present on major platforms facilitates commercial exchanges through e-commerce and marketplace integration, joining extensive commercial networks where contacting potential buyers becomes simpler.
- Social Selling and Digital Marketing: Targeted, geolocated social media campaigns are the best option for creating ads aimed at profiled audiences and building brand awareness in foreign countries: LinkedIn is the B2B channel par excellence for intercepting businesses, while Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) represents the ideal showcase to reach target consumers directly. Social campaigns also build customer contact databases for direct marketing: proper planning of email newsletters and DEM (Direct Email Marketing) is essential to reach targets directly and increase online productivity.
- Dropshipping and outsourced logistics: To manage logistics efficiently, more companies rely on dropshipping or operational outsourcing—a digital tool to sell abroad without maintaining internal warehouse stock. The global dropshipping market surpassed $128.6 billion and maintains sustained growth. Relying on established providers and professional import-export services that handle international shipping and logistics allows selling products worldwide without purchasing inventory upfront or managing shipping paperwork, regardless of business size.
Comparison Table: Digital Export Tools
| Digital Export Tool |
Strategy and International Impact |
| Proprietary Multilingual E-Commerce |
Full brand control, cultural adaptation to target countries, and higher direct commercial margins. |
| Global B2B/B2C Marketplaces |
Immediate access to millions of active buyers and simplified entry into new foreign markets. |
| End-to-End Logistics Operator (MBE) |
Simplified customs handling, regulatory guidance, GPS tracking, and comprehensive shipping coverage. |
If you aim to expand your market beyond national borders and need a reliable partner specialized in international shipping, you can count on Mail Boxes Etc. expertise. Discover MBE Digital Export solutions to import and export your products to and from EU and non-EU countries easily and tailored to your business needs.
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