"How To Grow Your Business Beyond Your Country"

Not long ago, doing business internationally had been the exclusive domain of big corporations. These multinationals have to setup offices and hire employees in different countries. Not only that, these multinational corporations had to spend big money to overcome all barriers. Some had been successful. Some did not.

Doing business internationally is becoming easier now as globalisation pushes forward. With internet, it is now possible for anyone doing business anywhere without spending too much money.

Home Business Going International?

Yes! Again internet makes this possible and affordable.

At this time of writing probably 80-90% online businesses happen in North America. While it can proliferate to other countries, North America remains the bulk of online businesses. So home businesses residing in other countries have to recognize this.

If you are not US resident and would like to do business online and your market is mainly US and Canada, here is what you can do.

You create a website and buy a US address. You can get it for $132 per year plus setup fee. All correspondences and mail forwarding can get through this US address. You will realize that many online services such as affiliate programs, merchant account (3rd party or your own) would require US address. You can get this address at US-Access.

If you are involved with drop shipping in US and Canada, you need to setup a legal company in US. You can order online service and pay around $675 to get a legal company (LLC) registered in Delaware, United States. This service includes US address and tax ID. You can get this online company registration through Valis.

What about other countries?

Basically other countries are easier because there has no much restriction. Besides most online companies reside in US.

Payment Issues

One of biggest problem with international business is payment. In Business-to-Business, the form of payment is usually settled through Letter of Credit (LC) or Telegraphic Transfer (TT). The problem happens when customer has a complaint. This is very much governed to the side of seller. Buyer can use this provided buyer knows exactly what it buys. If necessary buyer has to see and inspect the goods prior to shipment.

In Business to consumer or Consumer to Consumer, there are more choices. You can use check, money transfer, or using merchant account. Actually money transfer is the best method for seller because the money can go directly to his/her bank account quickly. However it is not convenient for the buyer.

Check can also be acceptable provided that the check payment is common. This is very much popular in US, but not so in other countries. Seller would also take a risk of check bouncing and longer banking period.

Seller residing outside North America would probably be settled with selected check and merchant account payment. If you can accept check, it is recommended to receive check from trusted institution, not personal check. In fact payment from merchant account would be in the form of check.

Now the tricky part is merchant account. You have plenty of choices. Paypal is one of biggest third-party merchant account provider. However, you should be aware of some complaints regarding paypal.

One of rising start in merchant account provider is moneybooker. This is truly international merchant account provider. Everyone in all countries can apply. They have a unique process using email. Check it for yourself.