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Today, consumer behaviour is worlds apart from the previous ages. Before, people used to travel thousands of miles just to buy a niche product. But now, everyone wants to find shortcuts. With smartphones, internet access, and online payment apps, international products are now at their fingertips. They can even explore new brands, look for better prices, unique and popular products, and better quality.
People are shopping online more than ever. In fact, they are not only buying from local brands, but also exploring other countries, with the import value increasing. This has opened a huge opportunity for businesses that want to sell their product in foreign markets.
Today, we will talk about the global markets and how you can sell products online internationally.
Today’s market is quite dynamic. It supports international sellers in many ways. Most specifically, technology plays a big role in how people sell products globally today. Online stores can be made in minutes.
There are many platforms as well, such as B2B marketplaces, that allow you to market your products and reach a global buyer traffic easily. Many other aspects also influence the business industries, such as;
Online payment gateways have made things accessible, accepting many currencies and processing payments within seconds.
There are now tracking systems in the online shopping apps and websites. They allow you to track your shipping and provide after-delivery services.
AI is now a big part of online selling. Chatbots are available 24/7 for effective customer support and quick queries.
Online reviews and ratings have made selling and buying online easier. People can rely on customer experiences to trust the sellers and repeat purchases.
Now, even a small business or a startup brand can enhance its business with online tools to reach a bigger buyer traffic and become a global seller.
The international markets are quite accessible now. They no longer require big corporations and popular brands. Even small and local businesses can easily access it while selling their product globally.
What matters the most is not the company size and its popularity, but rather defining the target market and choosing the right platform is more valuable.
Small to medium-sized businesses can now export from online platforms and marketplaces through international suppliers and make global connections.
Home-based sellers and niche brands can easily reach foreign customers through social media platforms and global marketplaces, without being physically present abroad.
Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and traders can use online B2B platforms to connect with importers and business buyers worldwide.
Now that we have covered the international markets, let’s talk about selling products abroad. The internet has made things faster and more effective. It has become a lot easier to sell the products across the world, since there are now numerous sites made specifically for international sellers.
With this, multiple opportunities have emerged, such as selling via online B2B marketplaces, creating your own website, and even using social media to become a global seller. It mostly depends on what you are selling and your target customers.
Online B2B marketplaces are basically platforms that allow businesses to market their products for bulk purchasing. These types of websites are mostly for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and wholesale sellers who prefer trade markets. They mostly attract business buyers and wholesalers who want to source products in bulk. On these websites, buyers usually request quotations and negotiate for bulk contracts; meanwhile, sellers can market their products with detailed specifications and connect with globally diverse buyers.
B2B MARKETPLACES |
MAIN FOCUS |
KEY STRENGTHS |
| Tradewheel.com | Global trade B2B Marketplace for manufacturers, exporters, and Wholesale buyers. | User-friendly Interface, RFQ system, Private-label and OEM |
| Global Sources | Long-established B2B platform specializing in verified suppliers and manufacturers. | Mainly export-ready factories from top countries, i.e., China, Taiwan, SE Asia. International retailers, large brands, sourcing companies, verified users. |
| Made-In-China | Large trading website focusing on Chinese manufacturers and exporters. | Industry’s top Chinese suppliers and manufacturers. Traditional products, niche buyers, huge traffic, global outreach, wider industry coverage. |
| EC21 | Korea-based trading marketplace connecting global buyers with Asian exporters. | Covers diverse industries, offers promotion tools, and buyer inquiries. Low order quantities, local buyers, quick transactions. |
Many sellers prefer to open their own e-commerce websites through online channels and then add international customers on top of domestic ones. There are many different tools available on the internet as well that cater to creating websites for multiple purposes, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and many more. Through these, you can enable international shipping, currency support, and tax calculations easily.
ASPECTS |
KEY FEATURES |
LIMITATIONS |
| Brand Controls | Full control of the store’s design, branding, messaging, and customer experience. You can easily build a strong, unique brand identity. | Need proper time and resources. You need to create all the content, design, and UX on your own. Require higher skills and a budget. |
| Global Reach | You can alter your store to accept international visitors and orders from almost any region. Market your website to reach a wider buyer network. | You would require much effort to drive your own traffic with SEO, ads, social media, and content creation. Require professional knowledge and connections. |
| Pricing Flexibility | You can decide your own prices, set up discount deals, and seasonal promotions. Handle bundle orders without marketplace rules. | Pricing is a sensitive matter. You must manage your margins carefully, including shipping, duties, taxes, and currency changes. It can be complex. |
| Scalability | Set up your website for digital marketing and scale across borders. Handle more products, traffic, and new markets. | Need proper attention. Poorly planned infrastructure, like hosting websites, apps, and processes, can cause issues and cost you fixes. |
Now, being able to reach international buyers and sell your products in foreign countries sounds quite exciting, but it also comes with responsibilities and consequences. There are approximately 195 recognized countries across the globe, and about 166 of them are actively trading in the industries.
All of them have unique methods and different rules and regulations. You need to understand these things early if you are planning to sell your products online internationally. This will help you avoid problems later and protect your business.
When there is a system, there are system rules. This is a universal truth. Just like that, every country has its own rules and laws, especially for trading and business industries, as they involve relations with other countries. These laws usually differ from each other. What is allowed in one country may be restricted or frowned upon in another country. Hence, it is important to thoroughly check the regulations of the country you are doing business with.
Since the currency of each country differs, the shipping costs will naturally be affected. This is the most common case among dollar-based prices. They vary from country to country depending on their economic level. Most often, the international shipping costs are more than the local shipping costs. Things like distance, weight, and package sizes all influence the prices. Hence, it is important to be strategic and flexible in your pricing.
This is another cost-related issue that many buyers and sellers struggle with. Just like different currency rates of the countries, the online payments also differ. Most often, there are famous payment apps like PayPal that do not work in some countries, limiting the buyers. Some people prefer cash-on-delivery options too, for more trust. Hence, make sure to be flexible in the payment options as well, and consider all types of methods to make it more accessible for diverse countries.
Language plays a big role in international sales. When people search online for products, what they prefer the most is understandable and readable content. They want to understand what they are buying. Culture is also very important for people these days. Even small things like colors, images, and symbols can mean different things across cultures. Understanding these things and allowing flexibility in your content can help you avoid mistakes and make your customers feel respected.
Customer support is the main aspect of business. This is a sign of sincerity in the seller and portrays the positivity of the business. Customers often abandon such orders or lose trust in those sellers who do not provide timely customer support. They need proper services and quick response to questions like order delivery timing, product quality, sample requests, price negotiations, and even the authenticity of the suppliers. Hence, make sure to prepare the answers for them, offer them proper solutions, and build good relationships with them so that they come back for repeat orders.
The global industries are changing rapidly. Selling products internationally is no longer limited to just big brands or rich companies. Today, the global market is open to almost everyone, whether for trading or direct selling. The digital era has enabled even small businesses and home-based sellers to easily reach global customers in foreign countries.
The way customers buy things has changed, too. People now prefer buying products from online platforms because this gives them the flexibility to explore multiple categories, compare prices, and read reviews before buying. This shift has created a strong demand for international sellers and influenced the global trade industry to be more active than ever.
There are many options available online that allow you to effectively sell your products online and market them to reach a wider network. However, there is still much to consider when connecting with international buyers. It requires proper planning and understanding of the countries, as well as their market trends.
This blog covered the most important aspects of how to sell products internationally and what to consider before you start selling. With the right approach, scaling your business globally will no longer be just a risky dream.
