Exporting

Simply having a website that is up-to-date and looks professional is a great help in any attempt to export products, services or for getting a message out to the rest of the world. But there are a number of things that can be done to a website to maximise its potential as an aid to exporting.
For example, ensure that most people in the countries you'd like to export to, no matter what their ethnic background and language, can understand the words and terms you use. Make sure they can readily recognise the buttons or icons you have used for navigation. Ensure your site and e-commerce solution comply with Australian laws and those of the countries to which you are exporting. These and many other do's and dont's need to be addressed if you are to get the full benefit from exporting via the Internet.
What to do
Access the Austrade website and find out how to use the Internet as an aid to exporting. Their website has a great deal of information in it, so you might like to visit the following links to specific sections of the website:
• Undertake one of Austrade's e-business online courses - The free online courses explain how to use email, electronic marketplaces, portals and online collaboration tools effectively in order to maximise export potential. They are designed for businesses that already export or who are planning to do so. Click here to read more about the courses and to register.
• Online export capability tool - Are you thinking about doing international business for the first time, but are unsure whether your organisation has the "capability" to do so? Try the survey: http://www.austrade.gov.au/australia/layout/0,,0_S2-1_2zh-2_-3_PWB17549390-4_-5_-6_-7_,00.html
• What are the steps to begin exporting - checklist, preparing your business, benefits and risks: http://www.austrade.gov.au/steps_to_exporting
• Are you ready to export checklist - this is a readiness checklist: http://www.austrade.gov.au/exportchecklist
• Making your website export-friendly - tips and potential pitfalls, building trust online, pricing and shipping charges, taxation or customs duties: http://www.austrade.gov.au/exportingonline
• Different ways to take your business offshore - exporting a product or service, investment, global supply-chains: http://www.austrade.gov.au/take_business_offshore
• Market entry strategies - choosing a country, how Austrade can help: http://www.austrade.gov.au/market_entry_strategies
• Promoting your business overseas - web promotion, useful websites: http://www.austrade.gov.au/promoting_business
• Australian suppliers database - this currently lists 8,500 Australian companies to which you can add your business: http://www.austrade.gov.au/asd
• Read the latest research - conducted by Austrade and the University of New South Wales looking at the impact of e-commerce on export business. The report provides a wealth of information on the latest developments in e-commerce for export business based on the experiences of the 340 Australian exporters surveyed. http://www.austrade.gov.au/ecommercereport
Austrade has developed a package of services to assist companies make their first export sale and they have export market development grants.