You may already be responding to incoming international orders, but want to become a more proactive exporter. Whatever your level of export experience, take that next step, and determine if your company is ready to export or expand into new markets. As thousands of businesses can already attest, successful exporting requires a broad consensus and long-term commitment among key management on company goals, objectives, capabilities, and constraints, as well as time and money. Businesses must then develop a solid export plan, and be prepared to modify products and services for different markets. Having these elements in place can make the difference between making a few sales and achieving real business growth. Learn more by viewing Are You Export Ready? the second of the three-part Get Ready to Export video set. Then take our export readiness assessment below.

U.S. Exporting

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Qualities of an Export-Ready Company

Export-ready companies possess certain qualities that increase the likelihood that their exporting efforts will be successful:

  • Have commitment from ownership and are prepared to fund exporting activities.
  • Understand the added demands international business can place on key resources.
  • Have realistic expectations regarding return on investments from international activities.
  • Are prepared to modify products and services by market as well as provide training and after-sales service.
  • Have an awareness of U.S. government export promotion and compliance resources.


Assess Your Company’s Export Readiness

Are you ready to make that first export sale or expand into new markets? Start by selecting one of our export assessments to help determine your company's current level of export readiness and any gaps in your export planning. Then, view the U.S. Commercial Service Market Destination videos. Each of the 20 video shorts provides in-depth insight into market opportunities and trends by in-country trade experts at U.S. embassies abroad; destinations which range from entry-level to more challenging export markets.
 
Most businesses that haven’t yet exported will need to take steps to become export ready, and current exporters will need to research and strategize in targeting new markets. The key is developing an exporting business plan, as outlined below.
 

Export Plan Basics

Once you’ve decided to sell abroad or pursue new export markets, a well-thought out export plan increases your chances that the best options will be chosen, resources will be used wisely, and execution will lead to a successful result. Ready to get started? View My Export Plan, the third of the three-video Get Ready to Export set.
  

Get Help

Export.gov, the U.S. federal government’s export portal, also links to many resources, including the following: 

  • If you are an established firm with a record of domestic or overseas sales and are looking to export, your local U.S. Commercial Service office can assist.
  • A Basic Guide to Exporting provides a roadmap for developing an export plan. See Chapter 1: Introduction: The World is Open for Your Business, and Chapter 2: Developing an Export Strategy.