Taking your eCommerce business global is a thrilling opportunity—new markets, more customers, and increased revenue.
But let’s be honest, international expansion isn’t just about flipping a switch. It comes with its fair share of complexities: foreign regulations, taxes, currency conversion, and logistics, to name a few.
When it comes to cross-border eCommerce, two major solutions stand out—Shopify Markets and Global-e. Both offer unique capabilities to help businesses scale internationally, but they cater to different needs. So, how do they compare? Let’s break it down.
Understanding Shopify Markets: Your Gateway to International Selling
Shopify Markets is a built-in solution that helps merchants expand globally without having to set up multiple stores. Available to all Shopify plan users, it provides essential tools to localize the shopping experience for international customers.
Key Features of Shopify Markets:
1. Localized Shopping Experience – Automatically converts prices into local currencies, translates store content, and offers country-preferred payment methods to enhance the customer experience.
2. SEO Optimization for International Audiences – Helps merchants optimize their store’s visibility in different regions by using custom domains and geolocation-based redirection.
3. Duties & Tax Management – Provides estimated duties and taxes upfront, ensuring transparency and avoiding surprises at checkout.
4. Single Dashboard Control – Merchants can manage all international operations from a centralized Shopify dashboard, making it easy to track performance across regions.
Who is Shopify Markets Best For?
If you’re a small to mid-sized business looking to test the waters of international selling without investing in complex third-party solutions, Shopify Markets is a great starting point. It simplifies global expansion while keeping costs low and manageable.
Shopify Markets Pro: A Step Up for U.S. Retailers
For U.S.-based businesses looking for an extra layer of support, Shopify Markets Pro (now called Shopify Managed Markets) takes things up a notch. It integrates Global-e’s technology directly into Shopify, offering additional services like:
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Merchant of Record (MoR) – Handles tax compliance, duties, and customs on your behalf.
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Fraud Protection & Chargeback Management – Reduces risk in international transactions.
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Expanded Payment Options – Supports more than 130 local payment methods worldwide.
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Automated Compliance & Shipping Management – Takes care of logistics, making international fulfillment smoother.
Who Should Consider Shopify Markets Pro?
If you’re a U.S.-based business with growing international sales, Shopify Markets Pro can take the hassle out of compliance, taxes, and logistics while keeping everything inside your Shopify admin.
Global-e: A Fully Managed International Solution
For brands looking for an enterprise-level global selling solution, Global-e is a powerful option. Unlike Shopify Markets, which requires the merchant to handle a lot of the backend logistics, Global-e takes care of everything—from compliance and payments to localized marketing and logistics.
Why Global-e Stands Out:
Access to 200+ Markets – Instantly scale your brand to reach customers worldwide without handling the heavy lifting.
Advanced Localization – Supports over 100 currencies and 130+ payment methods, ensuring a seamless, localized shopping experience.
Hands-off Logistics & Compliance – Global-e acts as the Merchant of Record, managing all international regulations, customs, and tax remittances.
Data-Driven Insights & Support – Get expert guidance backed by real-time global sales data to optimize pricing, promotions, and customer experience.
Who Should Use Global-e?
If you’re a medium to large enterprise with a significant volume of international orders and want a completely managed solution, Global-e is the way to go. It removes the administrative burden and allows brands to scale quickly and efficiently.
Shopify Markets vs. Global-e: Which One is Right for You?
|
Feature |
Shopify Markets |
Shopify Markets Pro |
Global-e |
|
Best for |
Small to mid-size brands |
U.S. retailers with moderate international sales |
Large, enterprise-level brands |
|
Setup Complexity |
Low |
Moderate |
High (fully managed) |
|
Localized Shopping Experience |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (more advanced) |
|
Compliance & Duties Management |
Retailer manages |
Shopify + Global-e handles |
Fully managed by Global-e |
|
Fraud Protection |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Payment Methods |
Basic Local Options |
Extensive Options |
130+ Payment Methods |
|
Logistics Support |
Merchant handles |
Partially managed |
Fully managed |
|
Dedicated Account Management |
No |
No |
Yes |
Final Thoughts: Choose Based on Your Business Needs
If you’re just starting with international selling and need a simple, low-cost solution, Shopify Markets is a great fit.
If you’re a U.S.-based merchant looking for more automation and compliance handling, Shopify Markets Pro offers a balanced mix of control and convenience.
If you’re scaling fast and need a fully managed, hands-off approach, Global-e will take your global sales to the next level.
No matter which route you take, expanding internationally is a strategic move that can unlock huge growth opportunities. The key is to choose a solution that aligns with your business stage, resources, and long-term vision.
Ready to Expand Your Business Internationally?
At Propero Consulting, we specialize in helping brands navigate the complexities of cross-border commerce. Whether you need assistance with Shopify Markets setup, international SEO strategies, or a fully managed Global-e integration, our team is here to help.
Get in touch today to discuss your global expansion strategy and take your Shopify store to the next level!