How did the Phoenicians established colonies?

Answer 1

The 'colonies' they established were in fact trading stations. This allowed them to trade extensively in local produce and cross-trade between areas as well as just in their own produce of timber, food and dyes.

The exception was their colony Carthage, which grew in strength to establish its own trading colonies in the western Mediterranean.

Answer 2

As trade expanded and security became more important, the ports the operated into from were developed to accommodate war fleets and depots. This became fully fledged at Carthage which became the largest city in the western Mediterranean, while several others became major ports, and in Spain became the basis for the Barca family's fiefdom.