According to a 2020 report, 10% of Algarve's population is composed of expats who have chosen to live and start a business in the area. Living and working in Algarve, Portugal, has recently become very popular, but how easy is it to get started?
Fortunately, Algarve has a lot of events for expats where they can meet and mingle with the locals to promote their businesses. So, if you want to set up a business and become successful in Algarve, here are the things that you should do.
Incorporate Local SEO in Your Campaign
It's a general rule that local businesses need local SEO to attract local customers. If you want your expat business in Algarve to be successful, getting local SEO done is one of the critical factors for this success. The keywords should include words commonly searched by potential customers looking for a local business serving their community nearby. For example, an expat living in Praia da Luz may want to start a local business related to scuba diving and run it from there. The keywords chosen would be things like "scuba diving lessons near me" or "diving school near luz."
Choose the Right Platforms for Promoting Your Business
There are different platforms to promote your business, and there's social media, search engines, and blogs. To ensure that you make the most of your online promotions, it's better to choose one or two platforms that will be more efficient for your business. For example, if you have a blog, don't forget to include social buttons on your blog posts so potential customers can easily share them with their friends.
Connect with Local Algarve Communities
Blogs are a handy platform for communicating with local Algarve communities. If you write helpful blog posts related to your field of business, potential customers will be able to see them, and they may even share them. Also, joining forums in your area is another good way of connecting with people who live nearby. And if you have some free time on your hands, why not say hello at an expat event or two? You never know - there could be someone who's also thinking about starting up a business in Algarve.
Speak Portuguese Fluently
This is one significant thing that you need to focus on when starting an ex-pat business in Algarve. The official language spoken in Algarve is Portuguese, although English can be beneficial as a secondary skill for day-to-day life. If your language skills need to be upgraded, consider enrolling in a language class or take an online course. Knowing the local lingo will make your customers feel more comfortable if you learn how to converse with them properly, and it'll be easier to gain their trust too.
Make Yourself Known Locally
People like doing business with people they know. When starting an expat business in Algarve, try to go out, meet new people, or join local events. This way, people will catch on that you are starting up your own company. To start, make it a point to introduce yourself to the people that you meet on a daily basis. If they like your business, there's a good chance that you'll be invited to some local expat events or conferences, which can help you connect with more potential customers.
So, there you have it - these are some of the most important things you should do when starting an ex-pat business in Algarve. Follow these tips and see what happens when you finally start selling your products and services.
