In the months and years ahead, global e-commerce is expecting explosive growth. Due to vast selection, high-quality specialty goods and unbelievable values, demand overseas for U.S. products is booming. What is bringing all of this value, selection and convenience directly to consumers all over the world? The Internet. In fact, worldwide Internet usage has already surpassed 1.5 billion and is approaching the two billion mark.

Internet penetration rates are also increasing in Europe. These rates are at only 50% in Europe and 17% in Asia, compared with 73% in North America. In some markets, such as Japan, online sales are expected to increase by as much as 40% per year. The growth of search and social networking is also thriving and fueling the viral popularity of e-commerce brands from the U.S.. Such brands which capitalize on such growth will soon be known around the world. These online merchants will find themselves doubling and tripling their current business by doing what comes naturally to smart retailers: never turning away a good customer.

This being said, keep in mind though that there are some challenges associated with international e-commerce. Too often these days, international online shoppers have to jump over lots of hurdles to buy from U.S. e-commerce companies. They have to work too hard simply to find out whether a site will even ship to their country. Shipping costs are often higher than they need be, and delivery is often slow and unpredictable. Plus, prices are not translated into native currency.

To tap into the opportunity presented here, online merchants are getting up to speed on how to create good customer experience. Many understand that they no longer need to navigate the ins and outs of global trade on their own. And these leaders are rewarded with strong international sales. They also retain loyal and high-margin customers, many of whom cost next to nothing to acquire.

Lowering the cost of shipping, some merchants have found, is the easiest way to increase conversion and boost profits. As the costs and complexities of international shipping increase across multiple postal and private carrier networks, shipping may be simplified by engaging a single platform provider. Savvy shippers will fulfill orders by shipping goods to a centralized facility in the U.S.. This easily eliminates the need for cross-border infrastructure or upfront capital purchases-increasing efficiency and capabilities.