In a world where domestic payments are as easy as a tap or scan, our aim at <a href="https://www.skydo.com/?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=demo_click?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=demo_click">Skydo</a>&nbsp;was to make international payments equally seamless and transparent.&nbsp;Our journey began with a simple objective: To challenge the hidden fees that often plague traditional banking systems, be it Swift fees, intermediary bank charges, FX markups, FIRA fees, and processing costs. These covert fees can be hard to track and even harder to understand. The FX markup, in particular, is a sneaky one. Without knowing the benchmark or timing, how are you supposed to figure out your actual costs

This is where we wanted to make a difference. By providing currency conversion at live mid-market rates and a fixed fee, we aim to demystify the process and help you keep more of your hard-earned money. We've put together a detailed breakdown to show you exactly how much you can save. If you’re short on time, feel free to skip ahead to the table in paragraph 6. 

Movin Jain and I founded Skydo in March 2022. Movin, drawing from his experience with India’s major UPI player, dreamed of making B2B payments as effortless as UPI transactions. I, on the other hand, as a long-time exporter, wanted to bring transparency to international payments. Business owners should know exactly what they’re paying without needing complicated spreadsheets.

Since launching, we’ve received fantastic feedback from our customers. This response has humbled us and strengthened our belief that we’re solving a real problem.

Pricing transparency: what does it mean?&nbsp;

Skydo is disrupting the industry by bringing transparency to pricing, challenging the hidden margins long enjoyed by payment service providers. As a result, many providers are lowering their prices, which is great for customers. However, some are only creating the illusion of lower prices without actually reducing them. This post aims to help customers understand the different cost elements involved in FX conversion. You’ll learn to: 1) evaluate if your payment service provider (bank or platform) is truly transparent, and 2) calculate the real FX costs your provider has charged.

When you receive a payment through Skydo, we convert your money at the live Forex rate. We don’t charge any additional fees to either the sender or the receiver nor do we levy extra fees for FIRA or transaction processing. This means your entire invoice value is converted at the live rate. We only charge a flat fee of $19 or $29 for our services. To ensure absolute transparency, we also include the date and time stamp of the FX conversion on the FIRA. With this information, you can verify through any reputable online FX platform that we have charged zero FX markup

When you receive an international payment through your bank, there's a good chance that all the applicable fees may be deducted from your invoice value. This might be zero or as high as $45 (Swift fee and intermediary bank fee), which you may end up losing.&nbsp;

In India, banks typically charge you 3 types of fees:

The final amount you receive in your bank is after these charges are deducted, leaving you with the fun task of using a spreadsheet to figure out the actual FX markup

You're surely familiar with how currencies, like traded commodities, undergo continuous fluctuations relative to each other throughout the trading day (usually 9 am to 3:30 pm). The mid-market rate represents the average between the buying and selling rates of currencies, such as INR to USD, fluctuating by up to 20-25 paise within a single trading day.

Your bank will give you a forex rate, but the tricky part is figuring out if it’s the mid-market rate or an internal bank rate. There are various rates like the inter-bank rate, cash rate, spot rate, tom rate (Tomorrow’s rate), and daily rate. These terms can be confusing—often deliberately so! Plus, banks usually don’t disclose the timing of the conversion. Without knowing the benchmark and timing, it’s hard to know the exact markup you’ve paid. So, is your bank really being transparent? I doubt it

How can you calculate your actual fx cost

I’ve included a spreadsheet below to illustrate this point. It focuses on the cheapest bank payments reported by customers. I’ve excluded payment platforms with high 4% fees and unfavorable forex rates, as well as bank rates that are only INR 1-2 off from mid-market. This comparison is based on a savvy customer who skillfully negotiated with their bank to avoid unnecessary charges. Even under these favorable conditions, Skydo proves to be more cost-effective due to our transparency.

mediaLibraryStrapi

The figures are sourced from our customers' payments received through their banks. Using the payment date and the agreed fx markup, we computed their expected, actual, and Skydo-estimated amounts. If you need clarifications or assistance, don't hesitate to email me. We also have a record of daily fx rates since our inception - happy to share that to help you calculate how much you paid in fx for a particular transaction.

My objective in writing this blog is to dispel myths around the “10 paise” rates that banks supposedly offer, and to help exporters calculate their real costs. For, transparency is never partial - it is either full or absent.

Bank.png

Srivatsan Sridhar

small_Srivatsan.webp

thumbnail_Srivatsan.webp

Hours of refining code and designs might feel futile if your client base remains confined to local boundaries. But what if you could push those limits?

With more and more companies investing in web design to unlock brand value and new revenue streams, the potential to tap into global markets is vast. Yet, attracting international clients in a competitive arena demands mastering certain key strategies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That's why we're here—to share six proven tactics to assist your web development agency in converting global clients.

How do you get International Clients for Web Development?

While timely delivery and quality work are universally demanded parameters, standing out amidst global competition also requires a planned approach. Here are some strategies to focus on:

Deepen Your Understanding of Target Markets&nbsp;

Identify the best countries for finding international clients. While North America and Western Europe emerge as obvious choices, , consider Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America for less competition.&nbsp;

Use tools like <a href="https://marketfinder.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en_in/">Google's Market Finder</a> to spot promising markets based on internet usage, GDP, and language. Refer to market research from industry associations (e.g., World Wide Web Consortium) or pay-walled resources like Gartner and Forrester.

After shortlisting target countries, research market dynamics:

For example, if targeting the Middle East, research holidays, shopping seasons, and design preferences to tailor your services and strategy, avoiding mispricing and mismatched expectations.

Find clients through directories, communities, trade shows, and platforms like:

This streamlines your prospecting efforts and ability to get in front of the right decision-makers.

Specialize in a High-Demand Web Development Niche

Don't try to offer every type of web development service. You'll get lost among thousands of other agencies vying for international clients.

Focus on a specific niche or domain where your agency has proven expertise and a track record of success. Consider domains like:

Obtain certifications to enhance your credibility within the niche. For the ecommerce niche, get certified on platforms like <a href="https://www.shopify.com/in">Shopify</a>, <a href="https://woocommerce.com/">WooCommerce</a>, and <a href="https://business.adobe.com/products/magento/magento-commerce.html">Magento</a>. For the fintech niche, show case studies demonstrating compliance with regulations like <a href="https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/">PCI-DSS</a> and <a href="https://gdpr-info.eu/">GDPR</a>.

If focusing on SaaS web apps, create tutorials, code samples on integrating with popular APIs like Stripe, Twilio, etc.

Find it hard to cold outreach to your international prospects? Follow these <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/checklist-for-cold-outreach">steps</a>.

Leverage Digital Platforms to Access Global Audiences

Get in front of international clients with the right digital marketing strategies:

1. Build an Optimized Global Web Presence:

Your agency's website should be a powerful lead-generation asset. Optimize it for search engines and ensure a seamless multilingual experience with details like:

2. Showcase Work and Thought Leadership on Social Media:

It’s a no-brainer to use professional platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and build an active presence. Mere presence isn’t enough.

3. Utilize Freelance Websites and Digital Marketplaces:

Create professional profiles on top freelance websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.&nbsp;

Highlight your language skills and experience working remotely across time zones. In case you’re worried about Upwork scams, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-spot-scams-on-upwork">click here</a> to solve all your doubts.&nbsp;

Initiate project bidding, demonstrate your skills, and establish relationships with potential global clients.

Join Slack communities like <a href="https://react.dev/">React Developers</a> and <a href="http://node.js">Node.js</a> Community for niche networking.

4. Appear for High-Intent Search Queries:

Establish an omnipresent digital footprint optimized for international audiences.&nbsp;

It is a natural tendency for Google to find solutions, so why not invest in search engine optimization (SEO) to improve your website's visibility on search engines? This allows international businesses to easily discover your agency when searching for web development services.

Here are some strategies to appear for high-intent search queries

Get in front of international clients with effective digital marketing strategies:

a. Build an Optimized Global Web Presence:

b. Leverage Social Media to Showcase Your&nbsp; Work

c. Utilize Freelance Websites and Digital Marketplaces:

d. Optimize for High-Intent Search Queries:

Participate in Global Web Dev Events and Communities

Don't underestimate the power of in-person networking. Attend industry conferences, trade shows, webinars, and meet-ups, including export promotion council events and trade association meetings.

These forums offer guidance and valuable connections for international scaling.

For European markets, explore events like <a href="https://www.wearedevelopers.com/">WeAreDevelopers</a>, <a href="https://cssday.nl/">CSSDay</a>, etc.

By consistently contributing to discussions, people recognize and become more receptive to your services.

Showcase an Impressive Global Portfolio and Testimonials

Showcase your past work and testimonials on your agency's portfolio website. Highlight successful projects for recognized brands across different countries. Use video testimonials to add credibility, especially for cultures that value personal connections. For example, demonstrate how you use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and load balancing for clients with high-traffic global events.

When prospective clients can clearly see your expertise and impact, it builds trust and credibility. And don’t forget to keep your portfolio updated with your latest work.

Bonus tip: Build Processes to Deliver Stellar Global Customer Service&nbsp;&nbsp;

International clients offer invaluable opportunities, but to maximize them, keep these tips in mind:

I. German clients prioritize efficiency and consistency.

II. American clients may have distinct communication styles.

III. Japanese clients value formality and hierarchy.

Use tools like Timezone.io to coordinate working hours across time zones. Consider implementing auto-translation on chat channels using <a href="https://cloud.google.com/translate/docs/reference/rest">Google Translate API</a>. Simple gestures like offering project visibility and prompt resolutions can make a big difference.

Securing those first international clients requires careful planning and perseverance. However, with the internet shrinking distances, reaching and acquiring international clients is more feasible than ever.And when you celebrate landing that first international client, know that Skydo is here to simplify your international payments journey. With a smooth and hassle-free onboarding process, you can receive international payments directly into your bank account without losing a cent to bank fees, forex charges, or any hidden expenses. Join us today to discover the Skydo advantage! 

