FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know about expanding into Poland. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch.
General
What exactly does glpd do?
We help UK and international e-commerce retailers successfully enter the Polish market. This includes technical implementation (payment gateways, logistics), cultural adaptation (translation, trust signals), and compliance (RODO, consumer protection). We're end-to-end: from initial audit through to launch and optimisation.
Why focus only on Poland?
Poland is Europe's fastest-growing large e-commerce market, but it's culturally and technically distinct from Western Europe. Most 'European expansion' consultancies generalise across markets and miss critical Polish-specific requirements. We go deep on one market so you don't have to.
Do I need to speak Polish to work with you?
No. We're based in Krakow but work entirely in English with international clients. Our team includes native Polish speakers who handle all localisation work, and you'll communicate directly with English-speaking project managers.
How long have you been doing this?
We're a new company, but we know what we're doing. Based in Kraków, the beating heart of Poland's service industry, we have a deep cultural and technical knowledge of the market. We established glpd to address the specific pain points of UK retailers struggling with Polish market entry due to lack of specialised, on-the-ground guidance. We work with trusted freelancers and partners for specific technical implementations.
Process & Timeline
How does the discovery call work?
You book a free 15-minute call via our contact form. We'll discuss your goals and assess whether we can help. There's no obligation and no prep needed.
How long does a typical implementation take?
Most projects launch within 8-12 weeks. Simple integrations (just payments or just logistics) can be 2-4 weeks. Full store builds or complex platform migrations may take 12-16 weeks. We'll give you a specific timeline during the audit phase based on your requirements.
What do you need from us to get started?
For the audit: just your website URL and 30 minutes of your time. For implementation: access to your e-commerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.), any existing Polish market research you've done, and input on brand voice for content localisation. We handle the technical heavy lifting.
Will my website be down during implementation?
No. We do all development work in staging environments. For existing stores, we implement changes via feature flags or scheduled deployments during low-traffic periods. You'll review and approve everything before it goes live.
Technical
What e-commerce platforms do you work with?
We specialise in Shopify but also work with WooCommerce, Magento/Adobe Commerce, BigCommerce, and custom builds. Our expertise is Polish market requirements (payments, logistics, compliance), which we can implement on any platform.
Which payment methods do you integrate?
We integrate all major Polish payment methods: BLIK (essential for the Polish market), Przelewy24, PayU, and traditional card payments. We also configure multi-currency support (PLN, GBP, EUR) and ensure compliance with Polish invoicing requirements.
What's the deal with BLIK?
BLIK is a Polish mobile payment system that dominates e-commerce here. It's like Apple Pay but works across all Polish banks and is trusted by consumers. UK retailers without BLIK see significantly higher cart abandonment. We consider it non-negotiable for Polish market entry.
How do you handle logistics and delivery?
We integrate InPost Paczkomaty (parcel lockers) which the vast majority of Polish shoppers prefer. We also set up local courier networks (DPD, DHL Poland), and establish local returns handling. Home delivery is secondary here compared to parcel locker collection.
Compliance & Legal
What is RODO and do I need to worry about it?
RODO is Poland's implementation of GDPR. If you're processing Polish customer data, you must comply. We handle the technical implementation: cookie consent banners, privacy policies, data processing agreements, and ensuring your store meets Polish standards. This is included in all our implementation packages.
Do I need a Polish business entity to sell there?
Not necessarily. You can sell to Poland from a UK entity, but there are VAT implications. We can advise on the best structure (UK entity + Polish VAT registration, vs. Polish subsidiary) and introduce you to Polish tax advisors if needed. This is part of our compliance consulting.
What about consumer protection laws?
Poland has strong consumer protection laws: 14-day returns are mandatory, specific invoice formats are required, and customer communication must meet certain standards. We configure your store's terms, returns process, and checkout flow to comply automatically.
Is my customer data safe with Polish integrations?
Yes. We only work with established, compliant providers (InPost, Przelewy24, etc.) who are certified under EU data protection laws. We never store payment data and ensure all integrations use encrypted connections. Our implementations undergo security review.
Pricing & ROI
Why don't you list fixed prices?
Every retailer's situation is different. A Shopify store needing payment integration is very different from a Magento rebuild needing full localisation. We scope individually after the discovery call so you only pay for what you need. Our pricing ranges are: Essential, Professional, and Enterprise.
What's the typical ROI?
Industry research suggests properly localised stores can see profitability faster than non-localised entries, and that the cost of a failed DIY market entry (wrong payments, poor logistics, compliance issues) often far exceeds the investment in professional setup. Every project is different, and we'll discuss realistic expectations during your discovery call.
Are there ongoing costs after implementation?
Payment gateways and logistics providers charge transaction fees (typically 1-3%), but we don't take a cut. Some clients choose our ongoing optimisation retainer for continuous improvements. Otherwise, it's just your standard platform and operational costs.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. We typically structure payment as: 40% on project start, 40% at midpoint, 20% on launch. For larger projects, we can discuss milestone-based payments. We want the financial arrangement to work for your cash flow.
Content & Localisation
Do you use Google Translate?
Absolutely not. Machine translation destroys trust with Polish consumers. We use native Polish copywriters who adapt your brand voice for local culture, handle formal/informal register correctly, and ensure your messaging resonates.
Will my brand voice be maintained?
Yes. We start with a brand voice briefing to understand your tone, values, and key messages. Our Polish copywriters then adapt these for local culture while maintaining consistency. You'll review all content before it goes live.
Do you do SEO in Polish?
Yes. We conduct Polish keyword research and optimise your content for how Polish consumers actually search (which differs from English search behaviour). This includes on-page SEO, meta descriptions, and technical SEO for Polish search engines.
What about customer service?
We can help you set up Polish customer service protocols, including template responses, escalation procedures, and cultural expectations. We can also introduce you to Polish-speaking customer service providers if you need ongoing support.
Still have questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Book a free 15-minute discovery call and we'll answer any questions about your specific situation.
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