Did you know that by the end of 2013, the worldwide number of Internet users had grown to more than 2.8 BILLION people—nearly 40% of ALL the people on the planet?! Did you also know that in 2012, e-commerce sales topped $1 trillion for the first time and is expected to continue to grow by double-digit percentages? With statistics like that, the future of commerce certainly seems to belong online!

Consider as well that although the U.S. led the pack as of December '13 for the percentage of its population online (84.9%), that number still constitutes only 10.7% (and shrinking) of Web surfers worldwide—a relatively small segment of online users!

Studies confirm that the true current and future online growth is and will continue to be in the world's most populous countries, such as China, India, Brazil, Russia and Indonesia. For example, the Asian continent ranks FIRST worldwide for the sheer number of Internet users—1.2 BILLION and growing and has actually surpassed North America in online sales to become the No. 1 e-commerce market. Moreover, since 2000, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America have witnessed an astronomical increase of online users: a cumulative, 14-year 5,219%, 3,061 %, and 1,571% growth rate, respectively!

Not coincidentally, we also continue to see a significant number of new SFI affiliates from these same regions coming in the door, with India, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh all in the top 10!

Make no mistake about it: Asia, India, and these other rising economic powerhouses around the globe represent a HUGE POTENTIAL for every home-business owner. MASSIVE developments in technology, improvements in standards of living, and increasing disposable income are opening the floodgates to a vast array of virtually untapped business possibilities.

That said, it's important to realize that this trend represents MUCH MORE than an interesting sideline marketing strategy for your business. Ignore this burgeoning source of increasing profits, networks, team members, prospects, and resources, and you do so at your own peril. If the U.S. is still your sole online market and source for customers, prospects, and team members, you're GREATLY limiting your reach...AND your profits. After all, what business owner would willingly turn away 90% of the possible customers coming into his store? Answer: The kind of owner who won't be in business much longer!

Fortunately, the worldwide growth and reach of the Internet has leveled the international playing field for the small-business owner. Home-based entrepreneurs no longer have to leave international markets to the "bigger" companies and enterprises with deep pockets. For example, SFI offers lots of features especially designed for the international arena. As a leader with affiliates around the world, you'll want to become familiar with these resources. And keep your eye out for more tools and features specially designed for SFI International Affiliates.

Additionally, you can find a plethora of budget-friendly resources online to help you reach across the globe to prospects, customers, and team members in other countries. Pay-per-click pricing for the popular Google Adwords service and other PPC search engines has risen dramatically for U.S.-targeted advertising. However, many offer country-specific search engines and PPC ad opportunities—often for a fraction of the cost!

Take a few moments now and check out these Websites. They'll make a great starting point for planning your international business focus:

• Google International
  
  
  • Adwords: Global Advertiser —Google offers powerful marketing tools and free translation tools to help you attract, communicate with, and sell to audiences everywhere in the world. Whether you're a team of one or one thousand, you can create and grow a global business today.
    
    
  • Looking for good online advertising sources in a specific country? Try this Google search page. Simply enter the country in which you want to limit your search results, enter your keyword (i.e., online ads, classifieds, etc.), and click the Find Opportunity button.
    
    
  • To find a Google search engine for a specific country, click HERE for a list of Google URLs.
    
    
  • To pick up some tips on viewing Google search results in specific languages or originating from other locations and countries, check out this tutorial.
    
    
• Search Engine Watch: Pay-Per-Click Search Engines—Get information on major PPC search engines, second-tier PPC players, and more.

As an SFI Affiliate doing business and targeting prospects outside the U.S., you've got SFI's powerful, global business opportunity helping bring you the financial freedom you've been looking for...IF you take advantage of it.

Start developing your international focus today. Don't make the mistake of ignoring 90% of your potential market—you can bet your competition won't!

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Statistical Resources:

Internet World Stats - INTERNET USAGE STATISTICS, The Internet Big Picture, World Internet Users and Population Stats

eMarketer - Ecommerce Sales Topped $1 Trillion for First Time in 2012