International Business and Technology Blog

At IBT Online, we have a clear mission as we set out to help exporters leverage online tools to expand their global footprint.

Representing the fourth generation of family ownership, Adrian also had a clear vision of being found, understood, and easy to do business with in Mexico and Canada, so he could not find a better partner to embark on this journey to grow exports, sales, brand, and business globally. Our collaboration, marked by success and shared achievements, unfolded as a journey that Adrian describes as, "a complete market analysis, competitor analysis, just looking at everything from A to Z."

Read more on how the IBT Online Global Programs are helping Pioneer grow their traffic, engagement and conversions globally!

China presents huge opportunities for companies looking to expand their exports. To tap into this potential, digital marketing plays a key role in reaching Chinese consumers effectively. However, American exporters face specific challenges in navigating this market, linked to the differences in buying patterns, but also a very different digital landscape.

In this blog, Julian Yeo, International Business Manager at United Electric Controls (UE Online), shares a compelling success story of how IBT Online's tailored approach, Baidu, WeChat, and a localized Chinese website have helped them scale their business in China.

Mexico is one of the largest trade partners of the United States, is well connected, and has a population that is tech-savvy and modern - a dream destination for any exporter. The people of Mexico are well connected, avid social media users, and love to watch videos. 

Use online tools to your advantage to be found, understood, and transact your business in Mexico – one of the most internet-aware markets in the world.

Canada is the United States' second largest trade partner in the world, and number one importer of US goods. Canada has a population that is well connected, close-by, and ready to do business with US companies. With a large population of English speakers, and 90% of them on the internet, it is a great market to enter for exporters!

Use online tools to your advantage to be found, understood, and transact your business in Canada. 

If you want to learn more about this exciting market, make sure to check out our other resources about Canada including our blog, Website Localization Snapshot and our webinar, How to Sell Online in Canada

The infographic below will help you grasp and understand the potential of Canada’s online environment, social media, and ecommerce.

AMSOIL have taken control of their global online presence. AMSOIL is justifiably proud of its reputation amongst ‘gearheads’ for the quality of its synthetic motor oils, fuel additives and lubricants. As one of the few independently owned oil companies, AMSOIL recognizes the value of its brand and uses its website and social media for both B2B and B2C to manage their brand and intellectual property. Management were therefore particularly concerned with many of their export markets where they found their brand could be misrepresented.

In the fast-paced realm of international ecommerce, smaller American exporters often grapple with the challenge of establishing a successful ecommerce presence in global markets.

While your own e-commerce website platforms (think WooCommerce, and Shopify) may seem like the default choice, the process can be a demanding endeavor in terms of resources, both management and budgetary. In this blog post, we explore a more efficient route for smaller exporters looking to dip their toes into the expansive world of e-commerce exports—leveraging international marketplaces.

Exporters: Where to Focus? Which Export Target Markets?

At IBT Online, when helping our clients Online Globally, especially new to export, and smaller businesses, we are often asked “Where to focus?”, and “Which export target markets”? A strategic question.

Nobody is better placed to respond than the enquirer themselves, with a little help! Nataly Kelly has written an excellent, well-researched, and resourced from her successful relevant professional experience, book entitled "Take your Company Global". See Harvard Business Review, LinkedIn and Amazon links below. I enjoyed the easy writing style, methodological and analytical approach, case studies, and key takeaways. If you are asking yourself those same questions, try Nataly’s MARACA model. It is a strategic framework that we hope will help guide you in determining the most promising target markets for your business. As Nataly writes, “Multimarket is the New Multinational”. So when you have decided on your target markets, our Online Global programs will deliver your “Multimarket” online presence to grow your exports, sales, brand and business internationally.

India has the second largest population on the planet, and its people are joining the online world by the millions! Not only are they becoming internet users, they are also participating in ecommerce! For U.S. exporters, India is an up-and-coming export market with ample opportunity for growth. If you get the online presence right, the market can be very fruitful. 

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world boasting over 550 million native speakers across 21 countries. These numbers make the Spanish-speaking world an especially appealing target for exporters. But this major trade language has variations that impact your global trade and online strategy. What are the differences between Spanish in Spain and Latin America? How different is Spanish to English? And most importantly from your online point of view, will one Spanish website cover all Spanish speaking countries? We want to share with you some of our experiences in helping our clients to get found, be understood and do business in Spanish-speaking markets using their online presence. 

The United Kingdom is one of the largest economies of the world (ranked 7th) and the third largest ecommerce market globally. The UK is also amongst the most connected and internet-savvy consumers and businesses anywhere. Some 95% of the population access the internet regularly. For US exporters, the UK is a prime destination market: large, accessible and with a low language barrier. It's a great market for exporters, especially those that get their online presence right!