Exporting for the first time: well prepared for international markets

Would you like to win your first customers abroad with your company, but are not yet sure where to start?

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Knowledge that helps you succeed in exporting

A successful export launch does not require a fully developed internationalisation plan right away. What matters is clarifying the right questions early on: Is your offering a good fit for the target market? What resources are available? Which legal and economic conditions apply? And what support can accelerate your market entry?
 
ICS Internationalisierungscenter Steiermark is the regional point of contact for Styrian companies looking to develop new international business opportunities. We provide guidance for the first steps and show which advisory, information, funding and networking services fit your plans.

B2B conversation at an international matchmaking event

Your first export starts with the right questions

Before you approach a new market, it is worth taking a close look at your company, your offering and your objective. Because not every attractive market is automatically the right market—and not every export opportunity requires the same preparation.
 
To get started, you should clarify in particular:
 

  • Is your product or service competitive internationally?
  • What human, financial and time resources can you allocate to exporting?
  • Which foreign markets fit your offering and your industry?
  • What do demand, competition, price levels and sales structures look like in the target market?
  • Which legal, tax, customs or product-specific requirements must be taken into account?
  • Do you need local customers, sales, cooperation or technology partners?
  • Which grants or financing options are suitable for your project?

How to identify your next meaningful step

At the beginning, not every question has to be answered. What matters is organising the open points and deriving a realistic sequence from them. Depending on your starting position, your next step may be a market analysis, a personal consultation, an export fit check, the search for international contacts, or reviewing a funding option.

Number 01 white

Assess export readiness

Review objectives, resources, competitive advantages and internal requirements.

Number 02 white

Select suitable markets

Compare market potential, demand, competition, barriers to entry and sales channels.

Number 03 white

Clarify the framework conditions

Factor in legal issues, customs, taxes, logistics, certifications and risks at an early stage.

Number 04 white

Build contacts

Identify suitable customers, sales or cooperation partners and use international networks.

Number 05 white

Consider funding

Before the project starts, check which export grants or financing instruments may be relevant to your plans.

Plan implementation

Define priorities, responsibilities, budget and next steps for market entry.

Which support fits your export project?

This page provides initial guidance. For a more in-depth approach, choose the option that fits your current question:

From the first export idea to a concrete project

International markets open up new customer groups, partnerships and growth opportunities. At the same time, the requirements for market knowledge, planning and implementation increase. Those who take a structured approach early on can assess opportunities more realistically and reduce avoidable risks.

Would you like to find out what the next sensible step is for your company? Use our information on getting started with exporting, or switch directly to personal export advice.

Discuss export launch
Consultation at the ICS REUSE2030 stand

Your New Exporters team at ICS

Sandra Tanos, Export Consultant at ICS

Sandra Tanos

Senior Project Management | Export Consulting

T +43 316 601 271 M +43 664 8179379 E sandra.tanos@ic-steiermark.at

Frequently asked questions

Start with a realistic assessment of your offering, your resources and your objectives. Next come selecting suitable markets, reviewing the framework conditions, building contacts and creating a concrete implementation plan. ICS supports Styrian companies in structuring these steps and finding suitable services.

Styrian companies can contact ICS Internationalisierungscenter Steiermark. ICS brings together information and access to personal export advice, market information, funding advice, international networks, events and further services for market entry.

Important factors include a competitive offering, sufficient human and financial resources, a clear export objective, and a realistic view of market potential, competition, sales, legal issues, customs, logistics and possible risks.

A suitable market should not only be large, but also fit your offering, your industry and your resources. A comparison of demand, competition, price levels, market access, legal requirements and possible sales channels is advisable.

Not always. The right market access depends on the product, the target market and the business model. Options include direct sales, local sales partners, commercial agents, cooperation partners or your own structures.

As early as possible. Funding programmes have their own requirements and deadlines; some grants must be applied for before the project starts. That is why reviewing funding should be part of planning, not only implementation.

Export Know-how is a digital knowledge and self-service option for practical export questions and fit checks. In personal export advice, a company’s specific project is assessed individually and further developed together.

In the ICS context, “Neoexporteur” refers to a company at the beginning of its internationalisation. For external communication, “exporting for the first time”, “start exporting” or “export newcomer” is clearer and closer to actual search terms.