Exporting Your Goods

E-Business for Goods Exporters

Use of the Internet for international commerce has become common in most markets. The following 13 questions and answers can help you exploit e-business opportunities:


What does e-business mean?
What are the benefits of e-business applications in exporting?
Does e-business eliminate export paperwork?
How can we use our website for e-business exporting?
What kinds of changes might be needed on our domestic website?
What languages should we use on the website?
What kinds of online security would we need?
What about outsourcing to an Application Service Provider (ASP)?
Where can we find e-leads?
How do we make get paid?
What services does a transactions processing company provide?
How important is electronic customer relations management (eCRM)?
What requirements do we need to meet in terms of privacy protection?

What does e-business mean?

E-business means conducting business on the Internet, including buying and selling products, providing customer service, and collaborating with business partners. Its applications include sales, customer relations, finance, market research, market intelligence, and procurement.

What are the benefits of e-business applications in exporting?
  • Online market intelligence.
  • Real-time online marketing and advertising.
  • Real-time provision of current product information.
  • Faster response to customer queries.
  • Customer access to products and customer service 24x7.
  • More efficient order processing.
  • Option of electronic rather than physical delivery of certain products.

Does e-business eliminate export paperwork?

No, you still have to deal with matters like shipping, customs regulations and work permits, just as you would if you were doing business without the Internet.

How can we use our website for e-business exporting?
  • Provide information that will attract potential customers to your product.
  • Provide an online catalogue and a secure electronic means for your customers to order and pay for your goods.
  • Provide your customers with access to their invoices and records of orders.

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What kinds of changes might be needed on our domestic website?

Exporting requires that you adapt to your export market(s). You may wish to make change in the following:

  • Language of web content
  • Branding that reflects the market’s customs, laws, and traditions
  • An option of conversion to local currency for pricing, shipping, and tax calculations to allow customers to compare prices more easily.
  • Ability to accept payment not only in Canadian dollars, but also in US dollars, Japanese yen, Euro, and the local currency.

What languages should we use on the website?

Consider English, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. If you are targeting India, you will need to decide between the national language of Hindi and regional languages like Punjabi.

What kinds of online security would we need?
  • Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology
  • Software and hardware firewalls
  • Physical site security
  • Secure payment systems
  • Data encryption
  • Server certificates
  • Digital certificates for authenticating the parties to an online transaction
  • Personal certificates to authenticate secure email

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What about outsourcing to an Application Service Provider (ASP)?

An ASP can serve as a hosting company and can provide you with software, security systems, and online tools for functions like:

  • Customer transactions
  • Trade negotiations
  • Foreign exchange services
  • Credit protection
  • Financial operations such as accounts receivable

Where can we find e-leads?

There are a number of sources including:


How do we make get paid?
  • Wire transfer
  • Cheque or money order
  • Credit card
  • Use of a transactions processing company

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What services does a transactions processing company provide?

For a transaction fee, the company will obtain the customer’s payment and then remit it to you. These specialized businesses often integrate their payment systems with services such as:

  • Creation of online storefronts including catalogues, stock control, and order processing
  • Fraud protection
  • Multilingual and multicurrency support
  • Letters of credit
  • Online, real-time transaction processing

How important is electronic customer relations management (eCRM)?

Some form of electronic customer relations management is crucial for ensuring testimonials and repeat business. Several ASPs specialize in this area and may provide the services you need more economically and effectively than an in-house solution.

What requirements do we need to meet in terms of privacy protection?

Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)sets the rules that a business must abide by when it collects, uses or discloses personal information in the course of commercial activity. You can obtain more information about privacy issues from the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.