International Business and Technology Blog

Achieving marketplace recognition overseas to grow your exports, sales, brand, and business globally is not an easy task – you must "look through the lens of the customer!", as Davies Hood, president of Induron Protective Coatings, learned by working with us.

“I like to purchase domestically and in my own language and in US measurements. It made me realize our partners in different parts of the world like to do the same.”

At IBT Online we pride ourselves in being able not only to understand our clients’ businesses and their goals but also to have a tracked record of being able to build and promote brands that go beyond their domestic market.

IBT Online helped Induron think more like their international consumers instead of like marketing and salespeople, according to Hood; "this was a major mindset shift!"

The unique Japanese online environment is difficult to enter but can be extremely rewarding when you are equipped with a localized website and best-practice marketing strategy.

Japan is well known by US Exporters for its large, strong economy – 3^rd largest in the world, and a powerhouse for both import and export. But it is also well known for how difficult it can be to enter!

A less known fact perhaps is how plugged in Japan is, with over 92% of their 127 million population using the internet on regular basis. 

IBT Online has a proven track record of supporting US Exporters to leverage their #1 business development tool - (no, not your sales team) – your website, to be found, be understood, and become easy to do business with in Japan.

With one of the highest internet penetration rates in the world, Japan is very connected and extremely mobile. To ensure your business can not only be found, but that your content can be easily understood by your prospects, you need a localized website.

"My company chose IBT Online, and the results speak for themselves!" says Jonathan Szucs, the President and Founder of Advanced Superabrasives. "Within weeks of going live, our new websites in Mexico and Canada started generating over ten requests for quotes per week!"

That's huge for any small business that's entering a new market, just like Advanced Superabrasives.

Read how ASI worked with IBT Online to launch two new websites in Mexico and Canada and support their online presence in these target markets with tailored international online marketing strategies in both Mexico and Canada.

Now is the time to start selling cross-border, but with only 20% of 2020 sales coming from  the US, if your ecommerce website is designed only towards your US audience, you're missing out on 80% of the sales!

We know that international ecommerce can be daunting. You need a robust ecommerce platform that is equipped to handle cross-border tax rates and shipping functionalities, as well as an enticing online store front. But that's where IBT Online’s expertise comes in with a secret weapon -- Shopify.

You may have heard of this dynamic ecommerce platform, but did you know they operate in over 175 countries around the world? IBT Online Global Programs are designed to leverage this platform by creating optimally localized dynamic ecommerce websites tailored to your target markets, by using Shopify's global platform. The IBT Online team is ready to get your international online shops launched.

Canada's proximity to the US and overall eagerness to do business with America make it ideal for market entry, and you can start online today!

But careful – this does not mean that you should treat Canada as an extension of your US marketing efforts. You need dedicated resources to ensure you will be found and understood by customers across the northern border. A localized website is a perfect way to start, and it will make it easier for your target market to do business with you and buy your products.

By having a dedicated, optimally localized website you will see your local traffic explode, your engagement increase, and your sales will grow exponentially!

How, you ask? IBT Online specializes in building localized websites and this includes Canada! Over the years, we’ve learned how to maximize online visibility in Canada, and we are sharing some of our secrets here. Specifically, why Canada is a critical global market and the top tips on how to showcase your company online, growing your exports, sales, brand, and business.

Whether you have an in-house marketing department to help, or you’re planning on taking the challenge on yourself, website re-design can be a daunting project…

IBT Online Global Programs have been designed to do just that – provide you with optimally localized business development websites, whilst taking the heavy lifting and all the technical aspects off your desk.

You have a well-designed, SEO-optimized US website, but you struggle to reach your Canadian prospects – sound familiar?

Although many Canadians speak English, your current USA-based English-language website is practically invisible to them -- that's how the internet works. The average Google search session lasts just under a minute, and with over 40,000 Google search queries happening every second, you have to stand out.

So how do you stand out? Having a localized website with a localized URL and relevant content for the Canadian market is the most cost and time-effective way to have an immediate online presence and be found in Canada! This will allow your target customers to find you and interact easily with your brand. Your Canadian website will appear amongst the top Google searches in Canada, building trust with Canadian prospects.

You asked, we listened! Every day, at IBT Online we help US exporters navigate the online global environment, supporting them to grow their export, sales, brand, and business internationally.

What was once called the ‘New Online Normal’ is now called the ‘New Reality’! The impact of COVID-19 has compounded the rapid advancement of technologies and the take off-off the online, digitally connected world and this trend is here to stay! So today, companies are facing new challenges that come with this online landscape. So how do you make sure to thrive as a company in this online environment and what are the tools needed? 

To help you stay ahead of the curve, we created a short video that answers the top questions US exporters ask us about growing their business internationally and online today!

Having an optimally localized online presence is key, but don’t stop there! Understanding how your prospects, customers, and why not competitors behave on your website will give you the edge you need to continue growing your exports, sales, brand, and business globally.

Google Analytics is a free, yet fantastic analytics tool that gives you an extremely in-depth look into your Online Global websites' performance and how to leverage it.

Google Analytics is essential for your website as it will allow you to understand whom you are reaching, how they find you, and how they behave and navigate your pages. Having this information at hand will allow you to make strategic decisions for the future and therefore get better results from your website performance.

Having an optimally localized website for each target market helps you be found and be understood but having a clear understanding of the websites’ performance will give you the edge over your competitors.

If you’re asking yourself whether your website looks a little outdated, or maybe it has become slower and users are not interacting with it, wait no longer – IBT Online experts are here to help you make sure you can turn your website into your #1 business development tool.

Website redesign is not - or should not be!- just about the aesthetics; a functional, well-structured, secured website will help you achieve:

1. Higher Traffic
2. Improved Engagement
3. Boost Conversions (or sales, for you and I)

How, you ask? Read more to find out how the IBT Online team of expert have helped US companies develop their website redesign strategy and turn their old websites into their best salesperson (no offence to your current team!).