The latest retail business intelligence indicates that the ecommerce industry is quickly becoming an international affair, leading U.S.-based online merchants to prepare for global customers and sales. Multichannel Merchant recently released its MCM Outlook 2014 Survey, which revealed that only 27 percent of online merchants in the U.S. are ready for global ecommerce. Yet, retailers surveyed for the report indicated that, on average, 8.75 percent of their online sales came from other countries.

"Whether you sell B2B or B2C, U.S.-based merchants need to have a global game plan," said Tim Parry, MCM's managing editor. "There are several emerging economies with a hunger for goods they can only get from the United States, and several ways those U.S.-based merchants can reach those customers."

Perhaps most importantly, you will want to ensure your point of sale is internationally friendly. According to the report, one-third of merchants have created international versions of their online stores that may incorporate POS systems that can provide international payment options. They have also worked with international marketing companies to help gain visibility in other countries. Retailers just testing the waters may want to investigate international marketplaces like Alibaba and Amazon, as 40.5 percent of survey respondents have already begun doing.