7 Tips to Export Your Products Successfully

If you have a product that you want to sell to the global market, you need to know how to export it effectively. Exporting can be a great way to expand your customer base, increase your revenue, and gain a competitive edge. However, exporting also comes with some challenges, such as complying with different regulations, finding reliable distributors, and dealing with cultural differences. In this article, we will share some tips on how to export your products successfully and avoid common pitfalls.

Tip 1: Do Your Market Research

Before you start exporting, you need to do some market research to identify the best countries and regions for your product. You should consider factors such as:

The demand and potential for your product in the target market
The competition and pricing of similar products
The legal and regulatory requirements for exporting your product
The cultural and consumer preferences and expectations
The logistics and transportation costs and options

You can use various sources of information to conduct your market research, such as:

Online databases and reports from government agencies, trade associations, and international organizations
Trade shows and exhibitions where you can showcase your product and network with potential buyers and partners
Trade missions and delegations where you can visit the target market and meet with local authorities and business representatives
Market research firms and consultants who can provide you with customized and in-depth analysis and advice

Tip 2: Choose Your Export Strategy

Once you have identified your target market, you need to choose your export strategy. There are different ways to export your product, such as:

Direct exporting, where you sell your product directly to the end customer or retailer in the target market
Indirect exporting, where you use an intermediary, such as an agent, distributor, or wholesaler, to sell your product in the target market
Licensing or franchising, where you grant another company the right to use your brand, technology, or know-how to produce or sell your product in the target market
Joint venture or partnership, where you collaborate with another company in the target market to share resources, risks, and profits
E-commerce, where you sell your product online through your own website or a third-party platform

Each export strategy has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your product, market, and goals. You should weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that suits your needs and capabilities.

Tip 3: Prepare Your Product for Export

Before you ship your product to the target market, you need to prepare it for export. This means that you need to:

Adapt your product to meet the standards and specifications of the target market, such as quality, safety, labeling, packaging, etc.
Obtain the necessary certifications and approvals from the relevant authorities in the target market, such as customs, health, environmental, etc.
Register your trademarks and patents in the target market to protect your intellectual property rights
Price your product competitively and realistically, taking into account factors such as currency exchange rates, tariffs, taxes, shipping costs, etc.
Provide clear and accurate documentation for your product, such as invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, bills of lading, etc.

Tip 4: Find Your Export Partners

Exporting is not a solo endeavor. You need to find reliable and trustworthy partners who can help you with various aspects of exporting your product. These partners include:

Freight forwarders or logistics providers who can handle the transportation and delivery of your product from your location to the destination
Customs brokers or agents who can assist you with the clearance and compliance of your product at the border
Export credit agencies or banks who can provide you with financing and insurance for your export transactions
Trade lawyers or consultants who can advise you on the legal and contractual issues of exporting your product
Marketing agencies or specialists who can help you promote your product in the target market

You should do some due diligence before choosing your export partners. You should check their credentials, reputation, experience, references, fees, etc. You should also establish clear and mutually beneficial terms and conditions with them.

Tip 5: Promote Your Product in the Target Market

Exporting is not only about sending your product to another country. You also need to market it effectively in the target market. You need to:

Create a strong brand identity and value proposition for your product that differentiates it from the competition
Develop a marketing mix that includes the right product features, price points, distribution channels, and promotional activities for the target market
Use various marketing tools and platforms to reach out to potential customers and generate leads, such as websites, social media, email marketing, online advertising, etc.
Participate in trade events and activities where you can showcase your product and network with potential buyers and partners, such as trade shows, exhibitions, seminars, webinars, etc.
Collect feedback from customers and monitor the performance of your product in the target market, such as sales, satisfaction, loyalty, etc.

Tip 6: Provide Excellent Customer Service

Exporting is not only about selling your product to another country. You also need to provide excellent customer service to your customers in the target market. You need to:

Communicate clearly and promptly with your customers, using their preferred language and mode of communication
Deliver your product on time and in good condition, following the agreed terms and conditions
Provide after-sales support and service, such as warranty, repair, maintenance, training, etc.
Handle customer complaints and issues professionally and courteously, resolving them as quickly and satisfactorily as possible
Build long-term relationships with your customers, offering them incentives, discounts, loyalty programs, referrals, etc.

Tip 7: Evaluate and Improve Your Export Performance

Exporting is not a one-time activity. You need to evaluate and improve your export performance regularly. You need to:

Set realistic and measurable goals and objectives for your export activities, such as sales volume, revenue, profit margin, market share, etc.
Track and analyze your export data and results, using various tools and methods, such as dashboards, reports, surveys, etc.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, successes and failures in exporting your product
Learn from your experiences and best practices, as well as from other exporters and experts in your industry and market
Implement changes and improvements to your export strategy, product, partners,
marketing, customer service, etc.

Exporting can be a rewarding and profitable venture for your business. However, it also requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. By following these tips, you can export your products successfully and avoid common pitfalls.

How to Export Your Product Successfully: A Guide for Small Businesses

If you have a product that sells well in your local market, you might be wondering how to expand your customer base and reach new markets abroad. Exporting your product can be a great way to grow your business, diversify your income, and increase your competitiveness. However, exporting also comes with some challenges and risks that you need to be aware of and prepare for. In this blog post, we will provide you with some tips and resources on how to export your product successfully.

1. Do Your Market Research

Before you start exporting, you need to do some market research to identify the best potential markets for your product. You need to consider factors such as:

The demand and preferences of the customers in the target market
The competition and pricing of similar products in the target market
The legal and regulatory requirements for exporting your product to the target market
The cultural and language differences that might affect your marketing and communication strategies
The logistics and costs of shipping your product to the target market

You can use various sources of information to conduct your market research, such as:

Online databases and reports from reputable organizations such as the International Trade Administration, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the World Bank
Trade shows and missions where you can meet potential buyers, distributors, and partners
Export assistance centers and small business development centers that can provide you with counseling, training, and referrals
Online platforms and tools such as Export-U that can help you learn how to export

2. Develop Your Export Plan

Once you have identified your target market, you need to develop a comprehensive export plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and actions for exporting your product. Your export plan should include:

A description of your product and its unique selling proposition
A profile of your target market and customer segments
A SWOT analysis of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
A marketing strategy that covers your pricing, promotion, distribution, and customer service
A financial plan that estimates your costs, revenues, and profits
A risk management plan that identifies and mitigates the potential risks of exporting
An action plan that specifies the tasks, responsibilities, timelines, and resources for implementing your export plan

You can use templates and guides from various sources to help you create your export plan, such as:

The Basic Guide to Exporting from the International Trade Administration
The Export Business Planner from the U.S. Small Business Administration
The Export Plan Template from the Canada Business Network

3. Find Your Export Financing

Exporting your product can require a significant amount of capital to cover expenses such as production, packaging, labeling, shipping, insurance, taxes, duties, and fees. You might also need to offer credit terms to your foreign buyers to compete in the global market. However, finding financing for exporting can be challenging, as many U.S. banks view loans for exporters as risky.

Fortunately, there are various programs and services that can help you access export financing, such as:

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) from the U.S. Small Business Administration that provides financial awards to state governments to help small businesses with export development
The Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) from the U.S. Small Business Administration that provides loans up to $5 million to small businesses for export-related working capital needs
The Export Express Program from the U.S. Small Business Administration that provides loans up to $500,000 to small businesses for export-related purposes
The Export Credit Insurance from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) that protects small businesses from nonpayment by foreign buyers
The Working Capital Guarantee from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) that guarantees loans from commercial lenders for export-related working capital needs

References:

https://ameriaadvisory.am/armenias-export-of-goods-and-services/

https://eurasianet.org/armenias-economic-boom-hurts-tech-sector

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpsmMW-GsJc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVPl8kpjGK0
https://www.trade.gov/learn-how-export
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/export-products
https://support.bigcommerce.com/s/article/Importing-Exporting-Products
https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/import-export/export-products
https://woocommerce.com/document/import-and-export-of-woocommerce-products/

https://www.export.gov/article?id=How-to-Export