How to Change the Primary Market on Shopify

Are you a Shopify store owner looking to expand your business to new countries? You should consider changing your primary market in Shopify.

Changing your primary market can help you reach more customers and boost your sales. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process so you can make this important change with confidence.

Why Change Your Primary Market?

Changing your market lets you tailor your entire shopping experience for customers in specific regions. This can include everything from the language they see on your site to the currency they use for purchases. Whether you’re targeting a neighboring country or eyeing a market across the globe, updating your primary market on Shopify is a key step in growing your business.

Changing your primary market offers several benefits that can help your business grow and better serve customers in different regions:

• Show prices in the local currency: When you change your primary market, you can display product prices in the local currency. This makes it easier for customers to understand the cost without having to convert prices in their heads. It builds trust and makes the shopping experience more comfortable for international buyers.
  
• Display language-specific content: Different markets often mean different languages. By changing your primary market, you can present your store’s content in the local language. This includes product descriptions, checkout processes, and even marketing materials. Speaking to customers in their own language goes a long way in improving their shopping experience. Which in turn increases the likelihood that they’ll make a purchase from your store.
  
• Adjust shipping rates for different regions: Shipping costs can vary pretty widely from country to country. When you update your primary market, you can set shipping rates that make sense for that specific region. This helps you avoid overcharging or undercharging for shipping.
  
• Comply with local tax rules: Every country has its own tax regulations for online sales. By changing your primary market, you can set up your store to automatically handle the correct tax calculations for that region.

Steps to Change Your Primary Market in Shopify

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel:
   
   Open your web browser and go to your Shopify store’s admin page.
   
   
2. Go to Settings
   
   Look for the gear icon in the bottom left corner of your screen and click on it.
   
   
3. Select ‘Markets‘
   
   In the Settings menu, find and click on ‘Markets‘.
   
   
4. Choose ‘Add market’
   
   Look for the ‘Add market‘ button and click on it.
   
   
5. Pick your new primary market
   
   Select the country or region you want to set as your new primary market.
   
   
6. Set up your market details
   
   Fill in the required information for your new market, like:
   • Language
   • Currency
   • Domain (if you want a separate one for this market)
     
     
7. Review and save your changes
   
   Double-check all the information you’ve entered and click ‘Save‘ or ‘Add market.’
   
   
8. Update your products and content
   
   After changing your primary market, make sure to:
   • Update product descriptions for the new market
   • Adjust prices if needed
   • Translate your content if you’re targeting a different language
     

Tips for Success

Changing your primary market is a big step for your Shopify store. To make the most of this change and set yourself up for success, consider the following tips:

Research your new market

Understanding your target audience is key to success in any new market. Take time to learn about local shopping habits, popular products, and cultural nuances. Look into your competitors in the region and see what they’re doing well. This research will help you tailor your offerings and marketing strategies to better appeal to your new customers. For example, if you’re expanding into a market where mobile shopping is more common than desktop, you might want to focus on optimizing your store’s mobile experience.

Consider using Shopify’s multi-currency feature

Even if you’re focusing on one new primary market, you may still get customers from other regions. Shopify’s multi-currency feature allows you to display prices in multiple currencies, making your store more accessible to a global audience. This feature automatically updates exchange rates and shows customers prices in their local currency, which can help increase trust and reduce cart abandonment.

Keep a close eye on your analytics

Pay attention to metrics like conversion rates, average order value, and traffic sources. These numbers can tell you if your new market strategy is working or if you need to make adjustments. If, for example, you notice a high bounce rate from your new market, it might indicate that your content isn’t resonating with the local audience and needs to be adapted.

By following these steps, you can easily change your primary market on Shopify and open up new opportunities for your online store. Remember, expanding to new markets takes time and effort, but it can lead to significant growth for your business.