But navigating the intricate world of international trade brings with it a lot of rules and regulations. When you add having to adapt cultural differences, exploring foreign markets can feel like quite the challenge.

Let’s explore some of the nitty-gritty of international digital marketing, focusing on the rules and regulations that businesses looking to expand their reach around the globe need to know before they go.

Understanding The Landscape Of International Rules And Regulations In Digital Marketing

Navigating overseas markets can sometimes feel like maneuvering through a maze of legal complexities. However, understanding and complying with these rules and regulations is critical to ensure the success of your marketing campaigns and to avoid potential legal pitfalls. Here are some key aspects to consider when delving into international marketing:

Regulations Guiding International Marketing

Navigating international regulations in digital marketing requires a thorough understanding of varying laws, cultural norms, and market-specific nuances. Data protection laws, like the GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California, mandate strict compliance regarding personal data collection and usage. Marketers must also adapt to diverse advertising standards, such as those set by the FTC in the US or the ASA in the UK, which govern endorsements, testimonials, and influencer collaborations. Additionally, local content restrictions and cultural sensitivities can influence messaging strategies, requiring tailored approaches for each region. Embracing localization through language translation, platform selection, and cultural adaptation ensures campaigns resonate with global audiences while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Data Protection And Privacy Regulations In International Digital Marketing

Data protection and privacy are hot topics in the world of digital marketing and international SEO. Different regions have enacted specific laws to protect their citizens’ data, and being familiar with these regulations is crucial for businesses looking to expand globally.

For example, Europe has the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which enforces strict guidelines on collecting, storing, and processing personal data.

In the United States, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) sets similar standards for businesses operating in California.

Advertising And Disclosure Standards In International Digital Marketing

Different countries have varying advertising and disclosure standards that digital marketers must adhere to. These may include rules regarding the use of testimonials, endorsements, native advertising, and influencer marketing to promote your product or service. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the United Kingdom are just two examples of organizations that regulate advertising practices.

Content Regulations In International Digital Marketing

Content regulations, such as restrictions on certain topics, language, or imagery, vary across countries and cultures. It’s essential to understand these nuances to avoid creating marketing materials that may be considered offensive or even illegal in some markets.

Localization and Cultural Adaptation In International Digital Marketing

While not strictly a legal requirement, localizing and adapting your marketing materials to suit the cultural preferences of your target audience is essential for successful international digital marketing. This can involve translating content, adjusting designs, and ensuring that your messaging resonates with local consumers.

By familiarizing yourself with the international rules and regulations that apply to your target markets, you can ensure that your digital marketing strategies are compliant, effective, and well-received by your global audience.

Strategies For Expanding Digital Marketing Into Europe

Europe offers a diverse and lucrative market for businesses looking to expand their digital marketing efforts. With a population of over 740 million people and multiple languages spoken across the continent, it presents unique challenges and opportunities. Here are some tips for marketing managers and professionals targeting Europe:

Understand and Comply With GDPR In Europe

As mentioned earlier, the GDPR is a comprehensive data protection regulation that applies to all businesses operating within the European Union. It’s crucial to understand how GDPR affects your digital marketing activities, such as collecting and processing personal data, obtaining consent for cookies, and providing clear privacy policies. 

Ensure your marketing campaigns are GDPR-compliant to avoid hefty fines and potential damage to your brand’s reputation.

Looking for a helpful resource to audit your digital marketing efforts for GDPR compliance? We’ve got a checklist for that!

Utilize Local Marketing Channels And Platforms For International Marketing

While global platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram are popular in Europe, don’t enter the market without harnessing the potential of local marketing channels and platforms. For example, XING is a professional networking site popular in German-speaking countries, while VKontakte (VK) is a widely used social media platform in Russia. 

By leveraging these local platforms, you can better target your audience and improve the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns.

Expanding Digital Marketing into the Asia Pacific Region

The Asia Pacific Region (APAC) is a region with immense potential for businesses looking to expand their digital marketing efforts. With a diverse population of over 655 million people and rapid economic growth, it presents unique challenges and opportunities.

Here are some tips for marketing managers and professionals just getting started with their international market research on the APAC:

Leverage Popular Regional Social Media Platforms For International Marketing

While global social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are widely used in Southeast Asia, regional platforms such as LINE (popular in Thailand and other countries), Zalo (Vietnam), and Grab (a super app with growing popularity across the region) offer additional opportunities to reach your target audience. Utilize these platforms to create tailored and engaging content that appeals to local users.

Mobile-First Approach For International Marketing

The majority of internet users in APAC access the web through mobile devices. Ensure that your digital marketing campaigns are optimized for mobile browsing, and consider leveraging mobile advertising, mobile apps, and SMS marketing to reach your audience effectively.

Get Prepared For The PDPA

For about a decade, Singapore and Thailand have had their own versions of Europe’s popular GDPR. The only important differences you need to know are that the fines are lower, but it includes a provision for criminal charges.

Most of the regulations from other countries have hefty fines, but this is (so far) the only one that can put you in jail if you don’t comply. That’s really only a concern if you live in Thailand, but it’s still something to consider. Here’s a link to a site about the PDPA of Singapore and here’s a site for Thailand. 

Invest In Local Partnerships And Influencer Marketing

Collaborating with local partners, such as distributors or retailers, can help you gain valuable insights into the market and extend your reach to new customers. Also, partnering with local influencers or celebrities can increase your brand’s credibility and appeal to your target audience. Be strategic in selecting influencers who align with your brand values and have a strong following in your target countries.

By considering these strategies and adapting your digital marketing efforts to the unique challenges and opportunities in APAC, you can successfully engage with your target audience and drive growth in this dynamic region.

Still haven’t tapped into the potential of influencer marketing? Get started here.

Regulatory Tips for APAC Companies Expanding into the US and Beyond

For APAC companies aiming to broaden their digital marketing reach in the US and other global markets, being aware of the unique regulations and laws in these regions is crucial. Here are some key areas to consider when navigating the legal landscape for digital marketing in the US and around the world:

Data Protection and Privacy Laws

In the US, data protection and privacy regulations vary by state, with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) being one of the most comprehensive. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the specific data protection laws in the states where you plan to operate and ensure your marketing activities are compliant.

Similarly, when expanding to other countries, be aware of their respective data protection laws, such as the GDPR in the European Union.

Click here to learn more about privacy laws around the world.

Advertising and Disclosure Regulations In International Marketing

Each country has its own advertising and disclosure regulations that you must adhere to when engaging in digital marketing. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces guidelines related to testimonials, endorsements, native advertising, and influencer marketing.

When expanding to other countries, familiarize yourself with their respective advertising regulatory bodies and guidelines.

Intellectual Property and Trademark Laws In International Marketing

When entering the US market and other global markets, it’s crucial to ensure your marketing materials do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others. This may involve verifying that your brand name, logo, and other creative assets do not conflict with existing trademarks, copyrights, or patents in your target markets.

Content Restrictions and Regulations In International Marketing

Different countries may have specific content regulations or restrictions, such as limits on certain topics, language, or imagery. Be aware of these nuances and ensure your marketing materials comply with the local regulations in your target markets.

By acquainting yourself with the regulations and laws that apply to digital marketing in the US and other international markets, you can ensure your marketing campaigns are compliant, effective, and well-received by your global audience.

DOM’s ITA Partnership Benefits Exporters

We’ve recently entered a strategic partnership with the International Trade Administration (ITA) to assist U.S. businesses in expanding their international sales and enhancing global competitiveness. With this collaboration we’re able to offer our clients access to specialized resources and expertise for navigating the complexities of international markets.

A particularly potent output of this partnership so far is Export Digital Marketing Starter Plans. These customized assessments evaluate a company’s readiness for global expansion. They also pinpoint high-growth opportunities in targeted regions. Businesses are thus empowered to approach international markets with confidence and a clear strategy.

By working with the ITA, DOM offers clients a comprehensive support system for international growth: the expertise of U.S. government trade liaisons combines with cutting-edge digital marketing strategies developed by DOM. The partnership is making global expansion possible for DOM clients.

Need A Partner For Growing Through International Marketing Confidently?

Navigating the complexities of international digital marketing can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Direct Online Marketing is here to help you successfully expand your business across borders with international eCommerce marketing services. As experts in international digital marketing, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with reaching a global audience.

We offer a comprehensive range of services to help you navigate international rules and regulations, localize and adapt your marketing materials, and optimize your campaigns for maximum success in your target markets. Our experienced team of digital marketing professionals is dedicated to helping you achieve your international expansion goals.

Whether you’re a US-based company looking to expand into APAC or an APAC company venturing into the US and other international markets, Direct Online Marketing has the expertise and resources you need. Get in touch with us today, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together, taking your digital marketing efforts to new heights in the global marketplace.

Google IGAP Partnership

DOM is proud to be a Partner in Google’s International Growth Agency Program (IGAP). Google offers this exclusive, invitation-only program to just a fraction of its Premier Google Partners, specifically to those agencies most driven to help clients export.  

Google selected DOM for its ability and track record of helping American organizations sell throughout the world via Google Ads, in addition to managing campaigns for international companies looking to sell outside their borders.

As an IGAP Partner, Google provides DOM with forecasts, tools, and support related to specific global markets and use cases such as lead generation and ecommerce.  

If you’re looking to expand your business into new markets – or simply get more market share in the ones you already export to, contact DOM today to grow the international sales you deserve.

Key Takeaways About Rules & Regulations Guiding International Marketing

• Navigating international markets requires understanding and complying with diverse data protection laws, such as the GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California.
• Utilizing local marketing channels and platforms, alongside global ones, expands reach and effectiveness.
• Maintaining ethical marketing practices is crucial to your reputation and to complying with guidelines from entities like the FTC in the U.S. and the ASA in the U.K.
• Localizing and adapting marketing materials to suit the cultural preferences of the target audience is essential for successful international digital marketing.

This article was updated to add additional information on March 25th, 2025.

The post What Are The Rules & Regulations Guiding International Marketing? appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

Interviews conducted in March 2024 with executives of digital marketing agencies across Europe and the UK reveal a picture of cautious optimism for digital services going forward. 

Table of Contents

• Report Predicts Recovery in Digital Marketing Services
• Report Highlights How AI Disrupts Digital Services
• The DOM Difference Across Industries & Continents
• Industry Partnerships — Keys to Digital Marketing Success
• Put International Digital Marketing to Work for You

Report Predicts Recovery in Digital Marketing Services

A new report by M&A specialist JEGI CLARITY and growth strategy consulting firm CIL suggests that digital marketing services are projected to recover more quickly than other digital services in 2024.

DOM’s success this year lends credence to this report. We have entered into new European markets with programs to help these clients grow sales.  

In one case, we’re helping a logistics leader increase sales in their local region of countries with a shared language.  

In another example, we’re helping a manufacturer expand their sales in North America to capitalize on recent success in Canada.

Report Highlights How AI Disrupts Digital Services

The report also comments on how innovations in AI over the past two years are now being harnessed. It is anything but business as usual, as organizations integrate AI in various corners of their operations. 

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) remains front of mind among respondents as a key disruptive trend. Feedback on its likely impact is mixed, with many focusing on the potential for efficiencies, while uncertainty persists regarding whether these efficiencies will benefit agencies or just increase financial pressures from clients. 

Nevertheless, respondents recognise the potential for AI disruption, with 60% actively implementing AI into their workflows. Key applications include automated creative processes, A/B testing and targeting, data collection and analysis, as well as internal project management tools.” —Nex Media

The artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models behind chatbots and services like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini can be put to many uses in digital marketing. 

By leveraging these tools, marketers can drastically cut down on time spent on manual tasks, allowing them to increase their output while simultaneously increasing time spent on strategy and higher impact thinking. 

We just share a note of caution that using AI output wholesale can be off putting to humans and Google alike. Many digital marketers have seen initial SEO gains go poof overnight.

At DOM, AI helps us provide a better level of service to our clients. Learn some of the ways we leverage AI in digital marketing.

The DOM Difference Across Industries & Continents

The report from JEGI CLARITY and CIL notes that 2024 looks to be a good year for the digital services industry in Europe after a relatively rough 2023. Great news for European companies!

At DOM, we’re well-versed in the European and broader global market. We’ve been helping European businesses from the United Kingdom to Türkiye and many points in between for over a decade.

It is in part for these efforts that the U.S. Commercial Service recently awarded us with the President’s “E” Award for exporting excellence.  

Industry Partnerships — Keys to Digital Marketing Success

When the economy is rocky, businesses become more hesitant to enter into long-term service agreements. It’s sensible. You don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket, nor even to put a few eggs in a basket that you must commit to for a year minimum. 

DOM stands out by offering month-to-month contracts. We don’t require the lengthy engagements that many in the industry treat as project minimums. 

This month-to-month commitment means that we must prove ourselves to our clients every 30 days. Clients are free to leave at any time. (However, most don’t. Our retention rate stands at over 85%, which exceeds benchmarks for the digital marketing industry.)    

DOM’s uncommon business model and partnerships allow us to weather economic instability. 

Put International Digital Marketing to Work for You

Are you reaching everyone who would benefit from your product or service? Have you reached a point of diminishing returns with your marketing efforts? Thinking of making a change?

Schedule a no-obligation digital marketing consultation with our strategists. We’ll review your website and your current marketing efforts to identify the obstacles and opportunities unique to your business. 

Google IGAP Partnership

DOM is proud to be a Partner in Google’s International Growth Agency Program (IGAP). Google offers this exclusive, invitation-only program to just a fraction of its Premier Google Partners, specifically to those agencies most driven to help clients export.  

Google selected DOM for its ability and track record of helping American organizations sell throughout the world via Google Ads, in addition to managing campaigns for international companies looking to sell outside their borders.

As an IGAP Partner, Google provides DOM with forecasts, tools, and support related to specific global markets and use cases such as lead generation and ecommerce.  

If you’re looking to expand your business into new markets – or simply get more market share in the ones you already export to, contact DOM today to grow the international sales you deserve.

The post Outlook for European Digital Marketing Services in 2024 appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

Selling into international markets is exciting and challenging. There are local rules and regulations to comply with, and customs and etiquette to understand. We’re here to help. Let the international marketing experts at Direct Online Marketing point you in the right direction as you embark on navigating overseas commerce.

Table of Contents

• Stay Alert to Cultural Differences When Doing International Marketing
• Build Links to Bolster International Marketing
• Localize Your Brand When Marketing Internationally
• Consider Establishing a ccTLD for International Marketing
• Observe Advertising and Disclosure Regulations When Doing International Marketing
• Use Hreflang Tags in International Marketing
• Connect to Government Resources for International Marketing
• Comply with Data Privacy Rules When Marketing Internationally
• Test International Marketing Waters with Keyword Research
• Experience the DOM Difference for International Marketing
• Key Takeaways

Stay Alert to Cultural Differences When Doing International Marketing

Navigating international markets requires a deep understanding of cultural diversity. Each country likely has its own unique set of values, behaviors, and expectations. For instance, colors are associated with different things in different cultures. Red signifies good luck in China. In most Western countries, on the other hand, red signifies danger or stop. Marketing strategies must resonate culturally, lest they risk confusing or, worse, offending potential customers.

Build Links to Bolster International Marketing

Getting links from reputable sites back to your site improves your online reputation. In search engine jargon, this is called domain authority. The more connections that exist on the internet from high-quality sites back to your site, the more that search engines will rank your content highly. This is especially important when you are trying to break into a new market in another country. Attaining backlinks that build domain authority is challenging; it is also one of the most potent signals that search engines recognize.

Before backlinks become even a glint in your eye, though, you should populate your website with content that demonstrates your expertise, expertise that’s so definitive it would be recognized by anyone anywhere. This means crafting pages on your major offerings, blogging regularly on industry developments, and collecting customer feedback in the form of reviews and testimonials. Your aim should be to create a multifaceted portfolio of what you do and why you do it well.

Once you’ve produced a meaty set of product pages, blogs, and reviews, you’re ready to start thinking about backlinks. Now along the way to doing this, you may have established yourself as such a name in the field that other sites are already linking to you. Perhaps your blog on repairing industrial automation parts has been cited by another player in the field. This is uncommon, but it also shows what true authority is. It’s when people naturally point to you because you stand out in your field. More commonly, though, you will need to proactively reach out to other websites to ask them to link to your site.

“Building high-quality links is of the utmost importance for business success online today. Link building for international marketing, specifically, presents unique challenges in the form of cultural differences and language barriers. You need to reach out for backlinks in a focused manner to get the most out of your time and energy. Start by using a link-building analytics tool to identify webpages that cover topics similar to what you cover. Then you need to craft an outreach email with an enticing call-to-action. Think about what this site owner will get in return for linking to you. Perhaps you can collaborate by writing guest posts for each other’s blogs. This kind of negotiation is the core challenge of soliciting backlinks.”

Jason Ohsie, Digital Marketing (SEO) Department Manager, Direct Online Marketing

Localize Your Brand When Marketing Internationally

Making your brand accessible to foreign markets means at the very least translating your messaging. Localizing your brand should further involve adapting the tone and content of that messaging to align with local norms and consumer behaviors. For example, McDonald’s offers menu items tailored to local tastes such as the McSpicy Paneer in India and the Teriyaki McBurger in Japan. This strategy not only enhances relevance but also builds brand affinity within diverse markets.

Consider Establishing a ccTLD for International Marketing

Creating a website with a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) can help you target people in that location more efficiently. For example, if your business is based in Mexico and you are trying to reach people in Greece, it might be worth the effort to create a website with an address that ends in the country code for Greece: www.company-name.gr

The two-letter abbreviation for Greece at the end of the URL signals to search engines that the website is designed to be relevant to people in Greece. Setting up a ccTLD can give your business a boost in search engine results because your content will probably rank better than content on sites without the Greek country code.

Learn more about geotargeting for international marketing with Google Search Console from the experts at DOM.

Observe Advertising and Disclosure Regulations When Doing International Marketing

Advertisers in the United States must comply with rules laid down by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC polices dozens of marketing activities, such as influencer marketing, endorsements, native ad placement, and testimonials. Failure to conform to guidance from the FTC can result in fines and lawsuits.

Make sure you research the regulations in every country you are attempting to do business with. It’s crucial to make a good faith effort to comply with local standards about advertising and disclosure. Doing good business also means being a good citizen (of the world).

Use Hreflang Tags in International Marketing

You can use an hreflang tag to indicate to search engines that the page is written in a certain language—and is therefore especially relevant to speakers of said language. So, say, your website is primarily written in English but you have translated some pages into French because you are hoping to sell to people in Paris. In this case, you should formulate the URL of the French page like this: www.company-product-page.com/fr/

The two-letter language code (or hreflang) alerts search engines that the content of the page is written in French. The page will then be more likely to be served to people whose internet browser is set to French.

Connect to Government Resources for International Marketing

Everybody wants their country to have a strong economy. To that end, there are likely resources in place in your region to help businesses that are trying to grow into new markets.

In the United States, the International Trade Administration (nested within the U.S. Department of Commerce) is a government organization that helps exporters. They help U.S.-based companies sell their goods and services overseas. Connecting with the International Trade Administration helps you identify free or low-cost assets like small business associations, state development agencies, the Export-Import Bank, and the local District Export Council.

Get the international perspective of DOM President Justin Seibert in his blog How Online Marketing Helps Global Exporters Grow.

Comply with Data Privacy Rules When Marketing Internationally

You’ve likely spent years building your reputation as a business. Keep that reputation strong by staying in compliance with any data privacy laws in new regions that you are marketing to. Just one mistake, or even the appearance of a mistake, can jeopardize all the goodwill you’ve built up around your name.

Europe takes a strong stance on data privacy. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) defines how user data may be used within the European Union and the European Economic Area. Complying with local data rules, like GDPR, means being explicit and meticulous in how you capture data about people who interact with your business. Broadly speaking, companies must clearly inform users of how their data will be used and get users’ consent to do so. Defying GDPR can lead to company-wide data audits and even fines of millions of Euros.

Test International Marketing Waters with Keyword Research

Gauge the knowledge and interest about a product or service that you provide by conducting keyword research by country.

There’s an old joke about two shoe salespeople who are sent to scout opportunities in a new land. The first salesperson looks around and writes back to the home office, “Nobody wears shoes here. There’s no market for us.” The other salesperson writes to the home office, “Nobody wears shoes here. The opportunities are endless!”

You can get a sense for what people are searching for online in another country with tools like Google Ads Keyword Planner and Semrush. These tools provide an estimate of how many ads are being bought and how much organic traffic there is for a given keyword. Even better, these tools break down that data by country.

If you discover a lot of organic traffic and paid ads for a given keyword, then you know there’s already an established market for that keyword. This also means you’ve already got competition. On the other hand, if there isn’t much traffic or ads, you may have the chance to corner the market.

Experience the DOM Difference for International Marketing

Thinking of branching out to a new country? Try our international digital marketing services for entering new markets.

At DOM, we help our partners sell into foreign markets with strategic planning, account management, website optimization, native translation, keyword & competitive research, international ad creation & testing, country testing & optimization, and analytics & reporting.

We’ve helped clients sell into over 150 countries.

Get in touch for a no-obligation discussion about international marketing opportunities.

Google IGAP Partnership

DOM is proud to be a Partner in Google’s International Growth Agency Program (IGAP). Google offers this exclusive, invitation-only program to just a fraction of its Premier Google Partners, specifically to those agencies most driven to help clients export.  

Google selected DOM for its ability and track record of helping American organizations sell throughout the world via Google Ads, in addition to managing campaigns for international companies looking to sell outside their borders.

As an IGAP Partner, Google provides DOM with forecasts, tools, and support related to specific global markets and use cases such as lead generation and ecommerce.  

If you’re looking to expand your business into new markets – or simply get more market share in the ones you already export to, contact DOM today to grow the international sales you deserve.

Key Takeaways

• International marketing offers significant opportunities to reach new customers and gain market share globally.
• Understanding cultural differences and localizing your brand are crucial for successful international marketing.
• Building high-quality backlinks enhances your online reputation and improves search engine rankings.
• Complying with local regulations and data privacy laws is essential to maintaining your business’s reputation and avoiding legal issues.
• Conducting keyword research by country helps identify potential market opportunities and assess competition in international markets.

The post Go Global With These International Marketing Tips appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

“DOM has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee recognizes DOM’s measurement of client export success supported by the company’s programs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in her congratulatory letter to the company.

In a ceremony on Tuesday, May 14th, at the U.S. Department of Commerce Headquarters in Washington, D.C., DOM and other winners were honored along with other companies for their contributions to U.S. exports. DOM’s Client Services Manager, Jason Ohsie, accepted the award on our behalf.

In addition, DOM was recognized at the U.S. Commercial Service’s Trade Winds event in Istanbul that same day as we and other award winners were attending the trade mission to expand our exporting activities in Türkiye and throughout the region. DOM President Justin Seibert and Director of Operations Nikki Powley represented DOM on stage.

The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition that a company can receive for contributions to U.S. exporting. American companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

History of the Presidential Exporting Award

This year is the 63rd anniversary of the “E” Awards ceremony. President Kennedy signed an executive order in 1961 to create the award, which has its origins in an honor that was given out during World War II to recognize America’s exporters.

The President’s “E” Award (“E-for-Export”) is the highest recognition a person or U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

As an “E” Award winner, DOM has been authorized to fly a blue and white banner, to display a certificate of commendation signed by the Secretary of Commerce in the name and by the authority of the President of the United States, to wear and issue to employees an “E” lapel pin, and to refer to the award in our advertising.

How DOM Helps Businesses with Exporting

For exporters aiming to expand their reach, leveraging search engines to connect with global customers is a highly effective strategy. Digital marketing stands as a crucial tool, whether you’re seeking to boost existing international sales or making your first foray into overseas markets.

At DOM, we know about the challenges and opportunities that exporting presents. We’ve helped our clients sell into 150+ countries through various international digital marketing services:

• Conducting assessments of local demand and online traffic by county
• Running targeted ad campaigns to reach your audience
• Implementing SEO best practices to enhance global visibility
• Connecting you with the U.S. Commercial Service office in your area
• Localizing your content in line with cultural differences
• Analyzing data to track results and achieve business goals

Contact us today for a no-obligation discussion about exporting opportunities for your business!

The post DOM Receives Presidential Award for Exporting appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

Justin has been invited by directors at the USCS to be a panelist during a presentation titled “Regional Lookahead: Supply Chain and Digital Strategy,” scheduled to take place on Wednesday morning during day 3 of the Trade Winds Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.

More Details On Trade Winds 2023

• Who: Justin Seibert and Direct Online Marketing
• What: Trade Winds 2023 – Access ASEAN: Explore Business Opportunities In Southeast Asia and Beyond!
• When: March 10-16, 2023
• Where: Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Why: To explore business opportunities in southeast Asia and beyond with the largest U.S. government-led trade mission and business development forum.

Want more info or to see the full program schedule? Click here.

What Is Trade Winds?

Trade Winds is the largest trade mission and business development forum led by the U.S. government. Our agency has taken part in several of these trade missions over the years as part of our efforts to advise businesses both from and outside the United States on how to grow their businesses through digital marketing.

This annual trade mission is designed to help companies growth and increase visibility in specific global markets. All companies that attend participate in the Trade Winds Forum. This 3-day event includes:

• A business conference
• Meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats
• Networking opportunities
• More than one receptions
• Sponsor exhibitions

Trade Winds Forums in the past have been attended by over 300 business professionals and serves as the main meeting place for all who make the trip from the U.S.

Additional Business Opportunities On This Mission

Matchmaking meetings are also available for U.S. exporters with pre-screened buyers, agents, distributors or joint-venture partners in Thailand as well as:

• Vietnam
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Indonesia

In addition to serving as President of our company, Justin also serves as a board member of a regional District Export Council.  Check out some of our top resources on international digital marketing and how these strategies can help you grow with confidence.

• How Online Marketing Helps Global Exporters Grow
• Advanced Tactics to Generate Foreign Sales Online (Webinar)
• Awesome Government Resources

Looking to grow your exports with confidence? Our team has helped companies from every populated continent sell into over 150 countries. 

Why are we so confident we can help? Because we’re award-winning exporters, too.

The post Helping Exporters Grow With Confidence At Trade Winds 2023: Access ASEAN appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

If so, Justin’s upcoming office hours with the West Virginia Economic Development office would be a great opportunity to start your strategic planning.

Get all of the details on this upcoming virtual event and find the link to register below.

Not able to attend these office hours but have a question about using online marketing to improve your exporting efforts? Reach out to us directly with your question. We’ve been recognized over 20 times for helping companies sell into 150+ international markets using our services. Let’s see how we can help your business grow confidently online.

Office Hours To Improve Your Digital Export Development

In today’s marketplace, having a great website is likely your most important marketing tool. However, unless your great looking website is paired with an effective online marketing strategy, it may never generate the level of international sales you are wishing for.

Looking for general advice on how to make your website more visible to international customers? If yes, join the West Virginia Department of Economic Development virtually on Thursday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to discuss your goals with our agency President, Justin Seibert.

What Are Export Office Hours?

The objective of this Export Office Hours on Online Marketing is for participating companies to ask any questions related to making their website more visible and suitable to promote their products to foreign buyers. If you have more specific questions related to marketing strategy, you can also ask questions about the use of online ads, social media, and SEO campaigns to improve your likelihood for success.

The guest expert is Justin Siebert, our agency Founder and President. In addition to leading Direct Online Marketing, Justin is also a member of the West Virginia District Export Council. His involvement in this organization means he is committed to helping grow the exporting income for the state of West Virginia by sharing his expertise with the community.

Please note that there won’t be a presentation for this event. Any attendees must prepare their own questions on online marketing topics, based on their own needs or knowledge gaps.

Those interested in attending are invited to reserve a 20 minute spot to discuss your challenges and opportunities with Justin.

Want to learn more about our expertise and solutions for international marketing? Check out any of the links below.

• How To Use The Web To Generate Foreign Sales
• Advanced Tactics To Generate Foreign Sales Online
• International SEO Tips: Conquer the SERPs Overseas, Victoriously!
• Dodgy Australian SEO Practitioners Need Regulated
• Set Your Course In Google Search Console With International Targeting
• Google’s Fees for International Ads Explained
• International Search Engine Marketing Services
• Take Advantage Of Digital Marketing In Bolivia
• Why Export?
• Where Should You Sell?
• Awesome Government Resources For Exporting

The post Want To Improve Your Digital Export Development? Join Justin Seibert’s Upcoming Office Hours! appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

Marketing masters leverage blogging, SEO, branding, and design to captivate their audience and put themselves miles ahead of the competition. But harnessing the many hands of marketing takes a little time and a lot of support. Chances are, you do everything you can to magnify your marketing and stretch its positive effects on your business. However, if your company isn’t in the business of marketing, you might not have the luxury of having a full-fledged marketing team in-house.

Your Marketing Manager might be killing it with your social media strategy, SEO, and keeping up with the company blog, but what happens when you’re ready to take your marketing efforts to the next level? This talented employee is already doing the job of three people! So it might be a bit of a stretch to assume they have the bandwidth and skills to build a new website, shoot and edit a new promo video, design an updated company logo, and so on, so forth.

When you’re daydreaming of keeping up the marketing momentum and continuing to soar in your brand awareness efforts, that dream can suddenly lead to a rude awakening when you realize the lack of marketing bandwidth available within your organization.

It is at this very moment you might consider investigating outsourced marketing services. As you should! No matter which business function or department you’re looking to outsource (marketing, IT, accounting, etc.), getting more hands-on-deck allows your internal employees to continue focusing on what they do best. All the while avoiding the pressure of being stretched too thin. You can also leverage a wider pool of incredible talent and skillsets when it comes to:

• Social Media
• Content Marketing
• Advertising
• Email Marketing
• Paid Ads
• Messaging/Branding
• Graphic Design
• Web Design
• UI/UX Design
• SEO
• Web Development
• HubSpot
• Business Strategy

Let Us Get To Work For You

What Is Outsourced Marketing?

Our workloads are ever-evolving, and there are times when we can barely keep our heads above water. Outsourced marketing is one of the smartest ways companies can expand the temporary marketing power they have under the hood. For instance, if your company only has two graphic designers working on multiple projects that require a hefty illustration workload, you could take on outside help without having to hire another permanent graphic designer. Additionally, outsourced marketing can add some much-needed skills to your teams. None of us are good at everything. So, hiring an outside agency to provide expertise in a particular marketing niche is one of the best ways to get stellar deliverables in front of your clients or customers. Outsourced marketing broadens your horizons. And it allows you to seek more opportunities with a greater project scope. Companies today are adapting to new workflows and a unique talent pool. Luckily our new ways of working have made it easier than ever to hire outside of our companies in a growing pool of freelance, contract, and agency talent. Most simply put, outsourced marketing provides the advantage of temporary and expert help when it comes to working on a variety of difficult marketing tasks.

Why Consider Outsourced Marketing?

Outsourcing marketing efforts is one of the best ways to reduce burnout while helping to maintain an intensely focused workforce. It can bring in knowledgeable new talent to provide fresh insight into your marketing efforts with more specialized experience. If your staff is struggling to service accounts during high-volume seasons, it may be the best idea to start looking for partnerships with marketing agencies that specialize in providing top-notch overflow help. This could be a much more cost-efficient option than taking on more permanent salaried positions.

In-house vs. Outsourced Marketing: Pros and Cons

What are some of the benefits and disadvantages of outsourced marketing? We’ve highlighted some of the main advantages and pain points we’ve experienced ourselves and have heard from our clients over the years.

Pros:

• Can provide specialized and dedicated relief to certain areas of your marketing plan
• Less overhead expenses and baggage than hiring more full-time employees
• Offers the increased flexibility of by-project personnel with fresh insights
• Provides calculated, expert help when you need it, with no strings attached

Cons:

• The marketing agency doesn’t understand your culture or brand as well as a full-time employee. However, with branding guides and project briefs, you can communicate your company message well.
• It can be expensive to hire a reputable marketing agency — expert help comes at a premium. But it is much less expensive than burning out your existing teams and hiring new talent on staff.

Is Outsourcing Just Working with an Advertising Agency?

Outsourced marketing isn’t just a fancy term for hiring an ad agency to take care of the creative customer-facing workload. Although marketing and advertising share a few services like graphic design and copywriting, they are different in a few major ways. Advertising agencies are very good at creating advertisements, jingles, copy, and other creative deliverables. However, they can’t provide the same benefits as a full-service marketing agency. Marketing agencies specializing in outsourced work, like Direct Online Marketing, can deploy specialists to work on email campaigns, paid ads, SEO strategy, web design, and the nitty-gritty details that advertising pros won’t touch. Marketing agencies go beyond providing the loose assets that are a part of marketing campaigns. They build strategies, monitor data, code websites, manage outcomes, and much more.

When is the Best Time to Outsource Your Marketing?

The answer to this question will be different for every company. If your teams have too much on their plates and are struggling to meet project deadlines, it could be time to consider outsourcing a particular task to a marketing agency. Here are some other key indicators that could mean it’s time to hire some outside marketing muscle:

• Your in-house marketing team doesn’t have experience in a niche specialty such as web development or email marketing.

• Your marketing team isn’t able to keep up with the workflow during a particularly busy season.

• You want to hire on a contract basis for projects to keep your company as lean as possible.

However, outsourced marketing can also help keep a consistent marketing effort year-round for companies with smaller in-house teams. The flexibility of outsourcing is one of its key benefits.

What Projects Call for Outsourced Marketing?

When your marketing team has too much work to handle reasonably, it’s time to seek out targeted relief. If you have team members working long hours on SEO and content marketing, but they don’t have the bandwidth to write a series of blogs, it’s time to outsource a content team. The same could be said for website design, UX overhauls, or almost any other time and labor-intensive project. If you aren’t seeing the kind of results you like from a project, it could also be time to hire expert marketing help from the outside. Maybe your staff doesn’t have a decade of SEO experience, and that’s okay. You can hire an outside SEO master that can show them a thing or two while boosting ROI for your business.

Is Outsourcing Cost-Effective?

Outsourcing is not only a smart play when your teams are backed up — it’s a cost-effective solution that you can use to free up your MVPs. Often, marketing agencies will package services in a way that will reduce your costs and provide a more holistic solution. This is a great way to avoid charges for any add-on items that quickly stack up. Of course, you will have a variety of cost options when it comes to choosing a marketing service. You will want to choose a company that provides quality results at the lowest possible price point, but this can be tricky. Not every outfit will be able to handle your project. Chances are, if you are the marketing department for a high-profile tech company, a small-time agency won’t cut it—as much as they would love the opportunity. It’s all about the balance of marketing aptitude and cost savings. Direct Online Marketing has some of the brightest minds in marketing working to bring you marketing solutions. We have competitive pricing for any project and work with you to provide the best mix of time and budget.

Doing Your Research on Outsourced Marketing Providers

It’s important to do your research on outsourced marketing providers to find the best fit. It’s ideal to find an agency that has worked with similar companies in your industry as they will understand some of your unique problems. Perhaps the biggest drawback to outsourced marketing is a lack of product or service understanding. You will want to make sure that if they don’t already have a rock-solid understanding of what you do, they will study up on what your company offers.

• Online searches will be able to tell you a lot about an agency. Their website should be clean, modern, and most importantly, it should include case studies and a portfolio of past experience that should impress you. However, if you are looking for a quick project fix, you might just need an individual freelance marketer.
• Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful marketing tools there is. When marketing agencies do a good (or bad) job, word gets out. Ask around for recommendations from your peers. Chances are they will be able to provide you with help they’ve used in a pinch when it comes to copywriting, graphic and web design, or any other services.
• Social media and review sites like Clutch will sometimes give you a great lead on an outsourced marketing agency. Also, it’s possible someone has already tried to reach out to you via LinkedIn or email with their services! Now could be the time to revisit your inbox to take an agency up on an offer.

Don’t make the mistake of going with the first outfit you find, unless they really are the best fit. The only way to be sure is to consult with a few companies and ensure you get the best deal when it comes to a balance of price, time commitment, and experience.

How Will You Know Good Marketing Help When You See It?

When you know, you know. Good marketing help will fight for your business and show you all the ways that they align with your project. They have all the credentials, experience, and knowledge to run with a briefing and provide excellent deliverables. A good marketing agency will have a portfolio handy of case studies that show how they helped companies like yours in the past, the end results and ROI.

What Should You Look for in an Outsourced Marketing Agency?

You should look for a marketing agency that can provide specialized services that will help you finish marketing projects as soon as possible. Often, marketing departments will come to an agency with a tight deadline. A good agency will be able to take on the project quickly and get deliverables to you as soon as possible. Turnaround times are a big part of projects. There are always drafts and redrafts and edits that need to take place to ensure a finely finished product. You should ensure that the agency you are looking at can work within your time constraints. Of course, you may need to pay a premium for a bump up on their priority list, but that can be expected.

Keeping An Eye On ROI

ROI is one of the biggest terms in marketing. Word coming from above always wants to hear about return on investment. Outsourced marketing teams can provide a better ROI while keeping costs low and providing more insight and expertise than your in-house teams originally had. An outsourced marketing team shouldn’t only be able to provide you with the results you need, they should be able to measure them and give you numbers that reflect the value of your decision. At Direct Online Marketing, we carefully measure project ROI so you can see your results in hard data and plain English. Once you find the stellar ROIs that we offer our clients, we are certain you will come to us again when your projects demand it.

Final Thoughts

Outsourced marketing can be the perfect way to free up your in-house marketing teams to perform at their peak. It is a cost-effective strategy to improve your workload while bringing extra expertise onboard to provide their secret sauce. There are a huge number of projects that are ideal for seeking outsourced marketing. If you have a large marketing department or a small in-house team, outsourced marketing can help you deliver better results faster and more cheaply than hiring on more permanent staff.

Everything You Need To Know About Strategic Marketing

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The post Your Guide To Outsourced Marketing appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

As announced in the fall, Google increased the price of ads in Turkey and Austria by 5% and the UK sees an additional 2%. This was the initial roll-out, and we’ve seen additional fees added to France and Spain (2% in both cases). This isn’t some shocking surprise out of nowhere—it was merely the first domino to fall.

The Cost of Doing Business

Google cites that these extra fees have one thing in common: government regulations. As Google announced in an email to Google Ads customers: “The Regulatory Operating Costs are being added due to significant increases in complexity and cost of complying with regulations.” Google’s not being coy about its feelings or who we should blame for these new costs. These fees appear in a specific line item on your bill so you know exactly which piper you’re paying. 

Irish Double, Dutch Sandwich

That’s not an order at the pub, that’s a method of “tax minimization” used by lots of companies. It specifically refers to the process of, for instance, registering IP in Bermuda.

According to CNBC, Google had a subsidiary in the Netherlands. “The subsidiary in the Netherlands was used to shift revenue from royalties earned outside the United States to Google Ireland Holdings, an affiliate based in Bermuda, where companies pay no income tax.”

Everything Google did was legal, if convoluted, which is why new regulations and taxes have been added to the cost of doing business in the countries specifically named in Google’s messages to advertisers.

Just in case you didn’t know already, Google wants to be clear about this: these are taxes levied by governments who have seen Google make truckloads of money from the people who live within their borders and have not received what, to them, is adequate compensation to their government’s coffers. Their response has been to create fresh new taxes. For the record, Google has discontinued these practices as of last year.

Officially, Google calls these fees Regulatory Operation Costs (ROC) and says they, “are being added to cover part of the costs associated with complying with digital services tax legislation in France and Spain.”

In other words, they aren’t necessarily the same as the tax Google faces from an individual country. For example, France’s current digital ad tax rate is 3%, but Google is charging 2% (for now).

When we say this is just the first domino, we’re not just referring to Google’s new tax mitigation strategy (by increasing the ad spend for advertisements in these five countries by a few percent), but the slow awakening of these giants to the money passing under their noses. We would expect that Google is not only going to add more countries to its list of tax-increased ad spenders, but that other companies will likely follow suit. If Facebook or eBay adds a few additional coins to every click they facilitate, you heard it here first.

Update August 2021:

Starting in October 2021, Google let us know that they will be rolling out new surcharges just like the ones we told you about above. They don’t seem to be in addition to the already-existing surcharges, bringing the total for all countries to what you see here. We’ll keep updating this post as new fees start to pile up:

Ads served in Austria: a 5% Austria DST Fee 

Ads served in France: a 2% Regulatory Operating Cost added 

Ads served in India: a 2% Regulatory Operating Cost added 

Ads served in Italy: a 2% Regulatory Operating Cost added 

Ads served in Spain: a 2% Regulatory Operating Cost added 

Ads served in Turkey: a 5% Regulatory Operating Cost added 

Ads served in the United Kingdom: a 2% UK DST Fee added 

To get more information on this topic, contact us today for a free consultation or learn more about our status as a Google Premier Partner before you reach out.

The post Google’s Fees for International Ads Explained (Updated August 2021) appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

But if you’re like us, you don’t have the luxury of living under rocks, and you have to adapt to the world as it is. You’ll remember we spent most of 2020 with travel highly restricted, if not completely curtailed. While 2021 brings a number of vaccines, we’re not looking at a complete return to the normal ways of doing business. 2021 will see us leaning heavily on digital marketing to make up some of those gaps left by the absence of in-person marketing opportunities of years past. This is especially true when it comes to getting those overseas conversions.

As covered in our previous webinar with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Justin Seibert from Direct Online Marketing will talk about how businesses can use digital tools to enhance their export marketing efforts. We went over the basics before, and now we’ll look at some of the more advanced methods

Join us on Tuesday, January 19th at 10 am EST, and take your search engine optimization, digital/social media advertising, and email efforts to the next level. By putting into practice what you learn in this webinar, you’ll be able to increase your export sales in 2021 and you might even be able to get GAP grants to help you pay for it.

This webinar is perfect for exporters who are already attracting interest from overseas and who want to build a successful digital marketing strategy. You don’t need to have joined us for the first installment of this webinar series, but it doesn’t hurt–the SPC and DOM will build on the foundational knowledge shared in the previous webinar.

The post January 2021 Webinar: Advanced Tactics to Generate Foreign Sales Online appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.

By now you may have heard of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that went into effect on May 25, 2018. The GDPR applies to all marketers, especially those located in or who do business within the European Union (EU). If your website is collecting data on prospects or leads, now is the time to make sure you’re in compliance with current guidelines, such as those set forth in the GDPR. Below are five things to keep in mind as you move forward.

1. If you are in the U.S. you probably already have a privacy policy on your website due to the California Online Privacy Protection Act of 2003 (CalOPPA). The link to your privacy policy needs to be visible on your home page and should tell visitors what information you collect, what you will do with it, and how you are going to be protecting their information. It is also best to have your Privacy Policy linked to on any opt-in pages or anywhere else you are asking a user’s permission to contact them in the future.
2. The GDPR applies to your existing lists. If you did not have your current list of subscribers segmented, now is the time to do it. You will need to know who are sending to and where they are located. If you are not sure if your subscribers are in the EU, it would be best to leave them off your list until you can have them re-opt in on a new offer. Your loyal fans won’t object to these extra steps as they are looking forward to seeing the valuable content you are providing them.
3. Moving forward, an opt-in form is only an opt-in for what it says your user will receive. Everyone loves freemiums, but now you cannot require someone to sign up for your general newsletter list to receive a freebie. You will need to have an additional opt-in (sell your benefits!) to have users consent to being on your “newsletter” mailing list as well.
4. Your users must be able to opt-out if they do not want their information collected or if they no longer wish to receive communication from you. We hate to say it, but sometimes people want to leave our lists. Let them go, if they end up being the right fit for your products they will re-engage with you.
5. Make sure you are only asking for the data you actually need. Sometimes as marketers we include “nice to know” questions or lead qualifier fields on our forms. It’s best to only obtain the data you need for the specific reason you are collecting data (a purchase, an opt-in, your newsletter, and so on).

The GDPR sounds like a big change in the marketing world, and it is. The only way to feel comfortable with the constant changes we face today is to embrace them. If one thing is certain, we can expect for there to be more changes as the internet and our ways to reach potential customers evolves.

The post GDPR is in effect. Now what? appeared first on Direct Online Marketing.