Your best method depends upon what you are trying to achieve. If you are a large company, there are many ways to grow internationally, and most find the simplest solution to be through a network of international resellers. Initially these can be managed from the home office, but care must be taken to assure that the process is properly managed. The vetting of international partners is not always as simple as the process back home. Your prospective partner must be able to demonstrate that he is fully covering the territory you need.
There are a number of problems to watch for: some smaller international resellers attempt to cover too much ground; for example a reseller in Germany may also attempt to cover Switzerland and Austria. But the cultural and market differences that exist in Europe are vastly different from those experienced at home. Many seemingly small countries are widely divided culturally, often in a way that would be difficult for an American to understand. A partner in the Netherlands once told us that there are 10 distinct regions within the country, and often folks in one region mistrust those from others to the point that they don't really want to do business with them. And this in a country of only 10 million people!
Multiply this by every country in which you wish to do business, and it's enough to make you want to give up before you start. But these facts are not meant to discourage you. Indeed, the reasons for expanding internationally are still just as valid; the potential pitfalls merely serve to illustrate the need to seek guidance at an early stage from someone familiar with these issues and how they can affect your plans who can assist you in the process. We always recommend a carefully planned process, where each step is laid out and appropriate milestones can be met.
For smaller companies or even individuals, there are much simpler ways to develop an international business. The reasons are just as valid, plus there is the opportunity to get paid for going to places you like to go. This is why we recommend an international franchise. You should choose a world class brand with a proven duplicatable way of doing things and an excellent track record. There are several good choices, but we particularly like the wellness business, because it is poised to grow dramatically in the coming years. That is why we chose Juice Plus+®. Their "Virtual Franchise" is a true international business combining the best benefits of a franchise with a proven business model that allows the owner to recruit independent representatives in over 20 countries worldwide.