I disagree that wall is useless, if people try to attack you in the early stages it could be because they are stupid rather than you. I have had people attack em constantly with a hundred swords only to lose them all over several attacks just to my wall. And then yay I have myself a new farm
its cheap and takes a long time to build up for when you are just starting to get hq running 24/7 along with your rax and stables.
However I am also a huge fan of big markets early
just keep stacking up the offers and they'll eventually get accepted, or something people need to do more often is increase the allowed distance, although everyone around you may be stressing for iron for their light cavalry, remember out on the rim there is still demand for clay and wood ;p.