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Cross-cultural marketer and international sales specialist - Aligning businesses with different cultures


Why Is International Market Research So Important?

by Cindy on June 13, 2008

International Market Research

Most businesses understand the value of market research. Market research gives businesses essential information on customers, competitors, and market. Businesses use this information to sell their product to their market.

Market research is just as important for international business. And even more so…

Your international success depends on your international market research. It is especially important during your international business planning phase.

Reasons For International Business Planning

There are two very strong reasons to be thorough in your international market research during your international business planning phase:

  • To learn what you can hope to accomplish
  • To learn what not to do and avoid cross cultural blunders

The Difference In International Market Research

The difference between market research for your domestic market and international market research is in the importance of the smallest details. In international markets the smallest details can influence your success.

Different cultures respond differently to your product, your marketing, your business. This implies more than simple interest in your product. International markets may actually use your product differently than you expect. You need to know exactly how your international markets respond to your product, your company, your marketing.

Cross cultural communication differences will influence everything you can think of and more. If you are not intimately familiar with the cultures you are targeting plan for surprises.

Schedule More Time For International Business Planning

This is why it is essential to have a strong international market research strategy. Here is what to do:

  • Schedule more time for market research prior to any international launch.
  • Continue with your international market research.
  • Diversify your market research channels.
  • Use web marketing to stimulate international market feedback.
  • Question everything possible.
  • …And be methodical.

Market Research For Online Businesses

International web marketing allows you to jump into international sales faster than ever before. In fact, if you have an online business you might even get international sales without doing anything in particular to sell your products abroad. But don’t make the mistake of not implementing good international business practices.

You can easily set up an international market research strategy in parallel with your current business.

Once you start getting international sales inquiries, start doing some international market research. This international market research will allow you to see your potential international business opportunities.

You can’t rely on analyzing your online international sales alone. Only market research can give you the whole picture.

Continuous Market Research

It’s important to actively carry out your international market research continuously throughout all of your online sales and marketing efforts. This is key to developing your business internationally.

Internet can be an easy solution and an essential part of your international expansion plan…only if you do sufficient international market research. Don’t simply put your order page up and sit back.

  • Create your website to help you in your market research.
  • Set up a good tracking tool to measure your results.
  • Direct your international market research based on your measurements.
  • Start an international market research plan.
  • Add a little web marketing to get more international market feedback.
  • Continue researching your international markets.

You will learn how to develop your international markets and what not to do. That is why international market research is so important. It is one of the foundations for successful international business.

Here are a few more International Market Research articles:
- Here’s A Blog To Help Your International Market Research
- How Do You Learn About Your International Markets?
- How To Know Where Your International Markets Really Are With Business Blogging
- How Do Your Foreign Prospects Use Their Search Engines
- 5 Factors To Consider When Marketing To Different Cultures
- Target Your Global Market With A Good Understanding Of Their Demographics

Here's to your international success,


Cindy King
Cross Cultural Copywriter & International Sales Specialist
Find out about working with Cindy
Why Is International Market Research So Important?