Collecting payment from overseas customers has proven to be one of the biggest headaches for U.S. businesses marketing abroad and for foreign businesses marketing to the United States. Modifying messages and products for local markets, or localization, is a need underestimated by many U.S. businesses, even those with significant experience. Within Western Europe, for example, there can be great variability from country to country in everything from purchasing decisions to tax codes. Lack of technology and infrastructure keeps many countries from establishing a healthy online economy. The USIC points out that widespread Internet access is a long way off for countries in which almost half the adult population has never used a telephone.
Some experts believe the rate of growth has slowed for e-businesses in the United States.
But far from posing a threat, trends toward international expansion could spell opportunity for small online businesses. Helping others get online is the perfect B2B opportunity. Foreign companies will look to their savvier American colleagues for guidance as they try to create a Web presence. You'll have an advantage for the time being, especially if you're already selling products successfully in the United States. Be aware that you'll have a fairly small window of opportunity to establish name recognition in emerging foreign markets.