How to Set Up Shopify for International Selling

How to Set Up Shopify for International Selling

Expanding globally is no longer optional—it's a growth strategy. If you're running a Shopify store and want to sell across borders, you need more than just international shipping. You need a complete international setup that speaks to your global audience, handles currency, language, and compliance seamlessly.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to set up your Shopify store for international selling the right way.

1. Enable Shopify Markets

Shopify Markets is a powerful built-in tool that helps you manage international selling from a single dashboard.

• Go to Settings > Markets.

• Add new markets like Europe, Asia, or specific countries.

• Customize each market’s domain, language, and currency.

Shopify Markets allows you to:

• Set product pricing by region

• Localize language and currency

• Manage duties and import taxes

2. Use International Domains or Subfolders

To improve SEO and user trust:

• Use international domains (e.g., .co.uk, .ca) if possible

• Or use subfolders (e.g., yourstore.com/fr/ for French)

These options help you rank in local search engines and offer a localized experience.

3. Set Up Multi-Currency Support

If you're on Shopify Payments, you can enable multiple currencies.

• Go to Settings > Payments > Shopify Payments > Manage

• Add supported currencies (like USD, EUR, GBP)

Shopify will auto-detect your shopper’s location and display local pricing.

💡 Tip: Use manual exchange rates for better control over pricing in each region.

4. Enable Multi-Language Capabilities

Install a translation app like:

• Translate & Adapt (Shopify’s official app)

• Langify

• Weglot

These apps allow you to:

• Translate product pages, checkout, and metadata

• Auto-redirect users based on browser language

Multilingual stores offer better engagement and lower bounce rates.

5. Set Up International Shipping Zones

Customize shipping based on each region:

• Go to Settings > Shipping and Delivery

• Create shipping profiles for different product types and destinations

• Set up rates with your carrier (like FedEx, DHL, or UPS)

You can also use apps like Easyship or ShipStation for advanced logistics.

6. Add Duties and Taxes at Checkout

Shopify Markets Pro or third-party apps can help you:

• Pre-calculate import taxes

• Display total cost including duties

This transparency builds trust and reduces cart abandonment.

7. Use Geolocation for Smart Personalization

Install the Geolocation app by Shopify to:

• Recommend language and currency based on IP

• Guide users to their regional store version

You can also redirect based on country using Shopify Markets settings.

Final Thoughts

Going international isn’t just about reaching more people—it’s about reaching them in the right way. With Shopify’s built-in tools and a few smart apps, you can create localized, high-converting shopping experiences anywhere in the world.

🌍 Ready to Sell Globally with Shopify?

At RootSyntax, we help brands scale internationally with the right setup, localization, and speed. Whether you’re targeting one country or twenty, we’ll make your Shopify store global-ready.

📩 Contact us today at rootsyntax.com