When a business decides to enter a new country, the first research step is often a random web search that produces a mix of outdated blog posts, vendor advertising and forum threads. A more efficient method is to start from curated directories: lists of marketplaces, logistics providers, payment options and local tools organised by country. This article explains how to use that approach and what to watch out for.
Why start with a directory
A good directory gives you the landscape in one view. Instead of discovering the main marketplaces of a country one at a time, you see the major players side by side. That makes it easier to ask the right questions early: which platforms dominate, which payment methods are common, which carriers serve the region, and which tools local sellers use.
Step 1: Map the marketplaces
List every marketplace in the directory for your target country. For each one, note:
- The categories it is known for.
- Whether it accepts foreign sellers directly or through a programme.
- The languages its interface and listings use.
- Its typical customer profile, if known.
Then visit each marketplace as a shopper. Search for your product type and look at prices, number of sellers and review counts.
Step 2: Map payments and payouts
Check which payment methods local shoppers expect: cards, bank transfers, wallets, cash on delivery or instalments. Then check which payout options exist for foreign sellers. A market where you cannot reliably receive money is not ready for you yet.
Step 3: Map logistics
Identify carriers that serve the country, typical delivery times and whether overseas warehousing is available. Note any import restrictions for your product category.
Step 4: Map local tools and media
Directories often list local news sites, social platforms and seller communities. Reading local industry news for a week tells you about current regulations, competition and seasonal events.
Step 5: Verify everything
Directories are a starting point, not the final word. Platforms change policies, tools close and new players appear. Before you make decisions, check each important source directly and note the date you checked.
Turning research into a decision
Summarise the findings on a single page: market size signals, best-fit marketplace, payment and logistics plan, main risks and first-month budget. If the page is full of unknowns, run a small test before committing more resources.
Useful starting points
The Facebook520 cross-border navigation homepage groups marketplaces and tools by country and region, including dedicated pages such as the EU123 European e-commerce navigation and regional pages for the US, Japan and Korea, Southeast Asia, Latin America and India.
Published by Facebook520 Cross-Border Navigation.