Last updated on July 20th, 2026 at 10:44 am
The growth of the digital business sector has expanded opportunities for online sales. Today, business owners can not only sell their products in the local market but also reach buyers from various countries through international marketplaces.
For Indonesian business owners, international marketplaces can offer an opportunity to introduce local products to the global market. From fashion items, handicrafts, packaged foods, home goods, and beauty products to wholesale goods, these items can be marketed overseas with the right strategy.
However, before you start selling overseas, there are a few things you need to understand. These range from choosing the right marketplace, understanding the different types of platforms, arranging international shipping, setting your selling price, to ensuring that the payment methods you use are secure and convenient.
This article will discuss what international marketplaces are, the different types, recommendations for the best platforms, and how to sell on international marketplaces from Indonesia.
What Is an Overseas Marketplace?
Overseas marketplaces are online buying and selling platforms that connect sellers and buyers from various countries. Through these platforms, sellers can offer their products to international markets without having to maintain a physical store in the target country.
Unlike local marketplaces, which focus solely on domestic buyers, international marketplaces have a broader reach. The products sold can be discovered by potential buyers from various regions, such as Asia, the Americas, Europe, and other countries.
Overseas marketplaces typically offer a variety of features that support the buying and selling process, such as store pages, product catalogs, payment systems, order management, promotions, and logistics support. With these features, business owners can start selling their products overseas more easily.
For MSMEs and growing businesses, international marketplaces can be one of the first steps toward entering the global market. These platforms help businesses gauge international buyer interest before undertaking a larger expansion.
Types of Overseas Marketplaces
Before choosing a platform to sell on, it’s important to understand the different types of international marketplaces. Each type of marketplace has different characteristics, target buyers, and transaction models.
1. B2C Marketplace
A B2C (Business-to-Consumer) marketplace is a platform that connects businesses with end consumers. This type of marketplace is ideal for sellers who want to sell products at retail to individual buyers.
Examples of products commonly sold on B2C marketplaces include fashion, accessories, beauty products, home goods, electronics, and everyday essentials.
Examples of international B2C marketplaces include Amazon, AliExpress, and Walmart Marketplace.
2. B2B Marketplace
A B2B (Business-to-Business) marketplace is a platform that connects one business with another. These marketplaces are typically used for wholesale transactions, bulk purchases, or collaborations between suppliers and buyers.
This type of marketplace is suitable for manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, or businesses with large production capacity.
An example of an international B2B marketplace is Alibaba.com.
3. C2C Marketplace
A C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer) marketplace is a platform that allows individuals to sell items to other individuals. The items for sale can include new items, used items, collectibles, or unique products.
This type of marketplace is ideal for sellers who want to sell products in limited quantities or items with unique characteristics.
An example of an international C2C marketplace is eBay.
4. Niche Marketplace
A niche marketplace is a platform that focuses on a specific product category. These marketplaces target a more specific audience, making them ideal for products that are unique or offer special value.
One example is Etsy, which is known as a marketplace for handmade, vintage, custom, and creative items.
5. Social Commerce Marketplace
A social commerce marketplace is a platform that combines content, social interaction, and buying and selling transactions. This type of marketplace is well-suited for products that are easy to promote through videos, live shopping, or visual content.
An example of a social commerce marketplace is TikTok Shop, which allows sellers to promote products through content and live selling.
List of the Best Overseas Marketplaces
Here are some international marketplaces that Indonesian businesses can consider to start selling their products to the global market.
1. Amazon
Amazon is one of the world’s largest marketplaces. The platform is widely used by international sellers to sell a wide variety of products to global buyers.
Amazon is ideal for businesses that want to reach a large market, particularly in the United States and several other countries. Products commonly sold on Amazon include home goods, electronics, fashion, beauty products, accessories, and everyday essentials.
2. eBay
eBay is a flexible international marketplace for a wide variety of products. The platform can be used to sell new items, used items, collectibles, and even unique products.
eBay is also known for its auction system, which can be used for certain product categories. This marketplace is ideal for sellers who offer niche products or products aimed at a specific target audience.
4. Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace that focuses on handmade, vintage, custom, and creative products. The platform is widely used by shoppers looking for unique, personalized items with artistic value.
Etsy is ideal for small business owners, creators, or artisans who sell products such as handmade accessories, home decor, illustrations, custom items, personalized gifts, and handmade crafts.
5. Alibaba.com
Alibaba.com is a B2B marketplace that connects suppliers, manufacturers, and buyers from various countries. This platform is ideal for businesses that want to sell products wholesale or in large quantities.
If a business has a large enough production capacity, Alibaba.com can be a good option for reaching international buyers, distributors, or companies looking for suppliers.
6. AliExpress
AliExpress is a B2C marketplace that allows sellers to sell products directly to international consumers. The platform is known for its wide variety of retail products at competitive prices.
Products such as accessories, fashion items, home goods, gadgets, hobby supplies, and lifestyle items are widely available on AliExpress.
7. Rakuten Ichiba
Rakuten Ichiba is a popular marketplace in Japan. This platform can be a good option for businesses looking to enter the Japanese market, especially for products that are high-quality and have a clear positioning.
Products such as fashion, beauty, packaged foods, home goods, accessories, and lifestyle products can be marketed through Rakuten.
8. Walmart Marketplace
Walmart Marketplace is Walmart’s marketplace platform focused on the U.S. market. This platform is ideal for businesses that want to target consumers in the U.S. market.
Walmart Marketplace can be an alternative for brands or businesses looking to expand their sales beyond Amazon, especially if they already have strong operational capabilities.
9. Shopee Export Program
The Shopee Export Program can be an option for Indonesian sellers who want to start selling products to international buyers through the Shopee ecosystem. This program is ideal for sellers who are already familiar with Shopee and want to expand their market gradually.
With this program, sellers have the opportunity to reach buyers from other countries without having to start from scratch on a completely new platform.
10. TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop is a social commerce platform that combines video content, live shopping, and e-commerce transactions. This platform is ideal for products that are easy to promote through visual content.
Products such as fashion, beauty, snacks, accessories, lifestyle products, and even viral items have great potential on TikTok Shop when backed by an engaging content strategy.
11. Lazada Global Selling
Lazada Global Selling is Lazada’s cross-border program that helps sellers reach buyers across Southeast Asia. This platform is ideal for businesses looking to expand their market regionally.
Lazada operates a marketplace ecosystem in several Southeast Asian countries, making it a viable option for businesses looking to expand into neighboring countries before entering the broader global market.
How to Sell on Overseas Marketplaces
After reviewing the list of international marketplaces, the next step is to understand how to start selling. Here are a few steps that Indonesian business owners can take.
Decide Which Products to Sell
The first step is to identify products that have potential in foreign markets. Choose products that are of good quality, unique, and have potential demand in the target country.
Local products such as handicrafts, fashion items, packaged foods, beauty products, accessories, or home goods can have their own unique appeal if they are packaged and marketed properly.
Conduct Market Research
Before you start selling, do some basic research to find out what buyers in your target country are looking for. Pay attention to products that are currently in high demand, competitors’ prices, customer reviews, and emerging trends.
Market research helps sellers determine their pricing strategies, promotional methods, and the product features they want to highlight.
Choose the Right Marketplace
Each marketplace has its own unique characteristics. If you’re selling handmade products, Etsy might be a good option. If you’re focused on wholesale sales, Alibaba.com is a better fit. If you want to reach the U.S. market, Amazon or Walmart Marketplace are worth considering.
Choose the marketplace that best suits your products, target customers, business capacity, and operational capabilities.
Set Up a Seller Account
After choosing a marketplace, create a seller account and complete the registration process. Typically, sellers need to provide personal information, business details, a payment account, a store address, and other supporting documents.
Please make sure all information is entered correctly so that the verification process goes smoothly.
Create Eye-Catching Product Photos
Product photos are one of the key factors in attracting the attention of international buyers. Use clear, well-lit photos that show the product’s details from multiple angles.
If possible, also include photos of the product in use so that buyers can more easily understand its function and size.
Write a Complete Product Description
Product descriptions should be informative and easy to understand. Describe the materials, size, color, function, package contents, instructions for use, and other important information.
Use language that is appropriate for your target market. For international marketplaces, descriptions in English are usually easier for global buyers to understand.
Set the Right Selling Price
Selling products overseas requires more detailed pricing calculations. Sellers need to factor in production costs, marketplace fees, packaging costs, shipping costs, taxes, and profit margins.
Don’t just look at competitors’ prices; make sure your selling price remains profitable for your business.
Set Up International Shipping
Shipping is one of the most important aspects of selling on international marketplaces. Use a logistics service that supports international shipping, has a tracking system, and provides clear delivery time estimates.
Make sure the product is securely packaged so that it remains in good condition when it reaches the buyer.
Optimize Your Product Listings
To make your products easier to find, use titles and descriptions that include relevant keywords. Select the appropriate product category and provide detailed product information.
A well-organized and informative listing can help build buyer trust.
Manage Orders and Customer Service
Once your products start selling, make sure orders are processed quickly. Provide clear information to buyers, respond to questions politely, and handle complaints professionally.
Good customer service can help improve a store's rating and increase the likelihood of repeat purchases.
Send Money Abroad Using Easylink
Overseas marketplaces offer significant opportunities for Indonesian businesses to expand their reach into global markets. With the right platform and thorough preparation, local products can have a greater chance of being discovered by buyers from various countries. To ensure that your international sales process runs more smoothly, make sure you’re prepared for international transactions.
With Easylink, you can send money abroad starting at Rp30,000 to more than 170 countries—conveniently, securely, and easily. Ready to take your business to the next level? Download Easylink now and start making international transactions with greater ease.
