Facebook launches new tools to help businesses in the Philippines grow across internationally

In today's globally connected world, technology, especially mobile, is creating more opportunities for businesses to find more customers anywhere in the world. In fact, by 2018 there will be an estimated 2.3 billion people using the Internet on their mobile phones.On mobile, and on Facebook, people engage with the things that matter to them even in other countries. More than 1 billion people on Facebook are connected to at least one business in a foreign country, and 1.57 billion people visit Facebook monthly on mobile. In the Philippines, 59% of people on Facebook are connected to a business in a foreign country.“In the Philippines we know that small businesses make up 99.6% of local economies, driving economic growth and creating jobs. Technology, particularly mobile, helps businesses grow by connecting them with people around the world. In the Philippines more than 54 million people are on Facebook - and 59% of them are connected to at least one business in a foreign country. We are committed to helping small businesses tap into the power of mobile to grow internationally and become global businesses,” said Nadia Tan, Head of SMB, Southeast Asia, Facebook.Facebook wants to help all businesses grow internationally and is introducing new resources and solutions to help them expand across the globe, from wherever they are.Businesses can now use a new feature in the Lookalike Audiences tool to reach customers in new countries who are similar to their existing ones. They can do this by uploading a list of existing customers or high-potential leads.In addition, advertisers with website conversion or mobile app install objectives can use our extended location targeting capabilities by selecting a worldwide region or trade zone. Facebook will then deliver ads to selected regions and then optimize delivery to the countries with the greatest return.Facebook is also introducing solutions to help businesses optimize their global campaign strategy, including webinars on international marketing with Facebook and a handbook on finding the right customers in new countries.Businesses are already using Facebook to expand their business globally.For example, in Southeast Asia local eCommerce players have tapped into the power of mobile and Facebook to drive their business growth internationally. Globizo, an international customized apparel company based in the Philippines, has utilized online turn-key business platforms to sell shirts overseas.Jeff Corpuz, CEO of Globizo, says, "We have been advertising on Facebook for about 5 years now with fantastic results thus far. Our ROI (Return On Investment) has ranged between 30-75% on ad spend. The targeting capabilities and the ease of pinpointing who your exact buying audiences are are simply the best around, no other ad platform can compare. Whether you have a local business needing more customers, or want to take your business globally, Facebook is highly recommended."