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What are the Benefits and Challenges of Expanding Into New Markets in 2026 ?

10
Min
What are the Benefits and Challenges of Expanding Into New Markets in 2026 ?
Written by
Mayank Bhutoria,
Co-Founder
December 30, 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Expanding into new markets helps businesses find fresh customers and reduce their dependence on one region.
  • Hiring global talent brings new skills and ideas that drive innovation and growth.
  • Understanding local cultures and laws is important for building long-term success in new markets.
  • Strong digital tools and flexible operations help companies handle economic changes and global challenges effectively.

Go Global, Grow Faster: The Power of New Markets

Did you know that 40% of small and medium-sized businesses are planning international expansion by 2026, aiming to tap into new customer bases and diversify growth?

As your business grows, you might find that your current market limits further growth. Expanding into new markets can strengthen and diversify your business, allowing access to new opportunities. But global expansion isn’t without its challenges.

Let’s explore five key benefits and challenges of international expansion.

Why Stick to One? New Markets, New Adventures!

Have you ever thought, "What if my product or service could thrive in other regions?" Expanding into new markets allows you to tap into new customer bases, diversify risks, and access foreign talent. Whether driven by increasing competition, customer demands, or the need for growth, expanding into global markets is a strategic move for many businesses.

5 Game-Changing Perks of Going Global

1. Access to New Customers

Expanding into new markets opens doors to entirely new audiences and revenue streams. It’s a smart way to grow beyond the limits of your home market.

Example: McDonald’s went from one store in California to serving millions across 100+ countries by adapting menus like the McSpicy Paneer in India and Teriyaki Burger in Japan.

To Understand More: Top 10 countries to expand your business internationally (gloroots.com)

2. Diversify Your Risk

When your business operates in multiple regions, you’re better protected from local slowdowns or market disruptions.
Example: Coca-Cola balances its global portfolio when one region faces an economic dip, growth in another keeps overall profits steady.

3. Hire Global Talent

Going global means access to diverse, skilled professionals who bring new perspectives often at competitive costs.
Example: Companies like Google and IBM set up tech hubs in India and Eastern Europe to tap into top-tier talent while cutting overhead.

To Know More: Best Countries to Hire Tech Talent in 2024 (gloroots.com)

4. Get Ahead of Competitors

Expanding early into untapped markets helps you establish brand loyalty before your competitors even enter.
Example: Netflix localized content early in markets like South Korea and Spain, capturing massive audiences before rivals followed.

5. Boost Brand Recognition

A global presence builds credibility and trust, making your brand instantly recognizable wherever you go.

Example: Apple’s consistent brand experience from New York to Tokyo reinforces its image as a premium global brand.

5 Challenges You’ll Want to Tackle in New Markets

1. Cultural and Language Barriers

Expanding into new markets means working with people who speak different languages and have their own customs and business styles. These differences can lead to misunderstandings in marketing, communication, or teamwork.That’s why it’s important to learn about local cultures and adjust your approach. Hiring local experts and providing cultural training can help your team connect better with new audiences.

Example: When Starbucks entered China, it changed store layouts and added tea-based drinks to fit local tastes, which helped it quickly gain loyal customers.

2. Compliance with Local Regulations

Every country has its own rules for taxes, labor, and business operations. It can be hard to keep up with these changing regulations, and breaking them can lead to big fines or legal issues.

Working with local experts or an Employer of Record (EOR) service like Gloroots can make this easier. They handle all the legal and compliance details so your business can operate safely and focus on growth.

Example: Uber works with local legal teams in each country to follow ride-sharing laws and stay compliant.

Read More: Global Talent Mobility: What it is & Importance (2024) (gloroots.com)

3. High Setup Costs

Starting operations in a new market can be expensive. You may need to open offices, hire local staff, and adapt your products or services, which can quickly add up.

Instead of making large investments right away, it helps to start small. Test the market with pilot projects or remote teams before scaling up based on demand.

Example: Airbnb tested new countries with a small team and minimal local presence before expanding fully, saving money and learning what worked best.

4. Market Research and Competition

Each market has its own buying habits, price expectations, and local competitors. Without good research, even a strong brand might fail to attract local customers.
Spending time on market research helps you understand what customers really want. Working with local agencies can give you valuable insights into trends and preferences.
Example: IKEA changes its furniture sizes and product range in every country to match local home sizes and lifestyles, helping it stay relevant everywhere.

5. HR and Payroll Complexities

Managing a global team involves handling different payroll systems, taxes, and benefits. Mistakes in payments or compliance can cause serious problems.

Using global payroll tools or EOR platforms can simplify the process. They ensure employees get paid correctly and on time while staying compliant with local labor laws.

Example: Gloroots helps companies hire and pay employees in over 140 countries without setting up local entities, managing payroll, taxes, and compliance automatically.

Read More : Global Expansion to Asian Markets: How to & Benefits (gloroots.com)

Let Gloroots Be Your Global Expansion Wingman!

Expanding into new markets requires careful planning and expert support. Gloroots simplifies your global expansion by managing payroll, compliance, and HR, allowing you to focus on growth. With Gloroots, you can hire talent from anywhere in the world, navigate local laws, and handle payroll efficiently.

Ready to Take the Leap? Let’s Go Global Together!

Expanding into new markets offers unparalleled opportunities for growth, but it comes with its own set of challenges. From gaining access to new customers and talent to overcoming cultural barriers and regulatory hurdles, each aspect requires careful planning. Whether you’re looking to diversify risks or gain a competitive edge, entering new markets could be the next big step for your business.

Ready to Go Global?

Expand your business with ease hire, pay, and manage teams compliantly in 140+ countries with Gloroots.
Book a Demo

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of expanding into new markets?

Expanding into new markets provides access to new customers, diversifies business risk, allows access to global talent, increases brand recognition, and offers a competitive advantage.

2. What are the key challenges of international expansion?

Key challenges include cultural and language differences, local regulations, high setup costs, market research complexities, and managing HR and payroll across countries.

3. How can companies manage cultural and language differences when expanding globally?

Companies can work with local experts, provide cultural training, and adapt marketing strategies to local languages and customs to ensure effective communication and relevance.

4. What strategies reduce risks of regulatory compliance issues?

Partnering with local legal experts, using global payroll platforms, and leveraging Employer of Record (EOR) services help ensure compliance with tax, labor, and business regulations.

5. How does Gloroots support businesses with global HR and payroll complexities?

Gloroots handles payroll, taxes, and HR across multiple countries, ensuring compliance, accurate payments, and streamlined processes so companies can focus on growth.

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