Technology has shrunk the marketplace. Today, even the smallest UK business can sell to customers on the other side of the world from a laptop. While domestic demand can be unpredictable, global trade offers a powerful growth opportunity: UK exports of goods and services were worth approximately £802 billion in 2024, according to the ONS, and the Department for Business and Trade says UK trade agreements now cover more than 70 countries. For women-led and smaller firms, exporting can be an effective way to diversify income, build resilience and reduce reliance on a single market.
If you are ready to take your small business global, here are five practical steps to help you start exporting from the UK.
Focus your research before you take your small business global
At this stage, resources are probably limited, so it pays to narrow your target market rather than chasing every international opportunity. Good market research will save you from expensive mistakes later. Start with the GOV.UK exporting guidance and the Department for Business and Trade country guides to understand local rules, tariffs, labelling requirements and market conditions. Then ask yourself:
- Is your product or service genuinely distinctive? Competing on price alone is difficult at home and almost impossible overseas. A clear niche, such as deep specialist knowledge of a particular industry, lets you stand out and command higher margins.
- Is there a large and growing customer base for that niche? Look at population trends, disposable income, digital penetration and local competitors.
- Can you expect a reasonable profit margin after shipping, duties, taxes, platform fees and returns?
- Is the legal and regulatory environment manageable?
It is usually better to dominate one or two markets than to spread yourself thinly across many. This is particularly important for women-led firms: the 2024 Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship progress report found that women-led businesses remain significantly less likely to export than male-led businesses, so choosing the right first market matters even more.
Get the finance and customs right
Currency fluctuations, transaction fees, international taxes and delayed payments can quickly eat into overseas profits. Your high-street bank is rarely the only, or cheapest, option for foreign exchange and international transfers.
Compare specialist foreign-exchange providers and multi-currency business accounts, and consider tools such as forward contracts to lock in exchange rates. For larger contracts, UK Export Finance can help protect against buyer default and make it easier to access working capital. UKEF supported £7.4 billion of UK exports in 2023-24, according to its annual report, and its products now cover contracts from £1,000 upwards. You may also want to research export credit insurance to guard against non-payment.
Tax and customs need careful planning too. If your business is in Great Britain, exports of goods outside the UK require an EORI number starting with GB, and since 2023 all customs declarations must go through HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service. You must follow HMRC rules on VAT, customs declarations and Incoterms. Price your goods or services so these costs are covered, and agree payment terms in writing before you ship. If finance or international tax is not your strength, speak to an accountant or export adviser before you send your first order.
Use specialist export support
You do not have to work it out alone. The Department for Business and Trade is the main source of government export support. The Export Support Service can answer practical questions, and DBT trade advisers offer one-to-one help for eligible businesses in every English region.
Your local British Chamber of Commerce is another valuable starting point. Chambers run export documentation services, training, networking events and overseas trade missions. Growth Hubs, sector trade associations and Innovate UK EDGE can also offer tailored advice, grants and introductions to overseas partners. DBT’s free Export Academy is a sensible first step if you want structured training without upfront cost. Talking to founders who already export is one of the fastest ways to avoid common pitfalls.
Build an international online presence
Your own website is important, but many small businesses first break into global markets through established platforms. For handmade and creative goods, consider Etsy, Folksy or Not On The High Street. For services, look at Upwork, Fiverr or PeoplePerHour. For products, Amazon, eBay, OnBuy and Alibaba each reach different audiences. Most allow you to test demand with low upfront cost, so you can validate a market before investing heavily.
If your own website is your main sales channel, make it work for international visitors. That means:
- Localised spellings, measurements and currencies.
- Clear, accurate translation, or professional translation for key markets.
- Country-specific domain names or subfolders where they improve search visibility.
- Transparent international shipping costs, duties and returns policies.
- Payment methods your target customers trust, such as local wallets or buy-now-pay-later options.
- Compliance with data protection rules, including GDPR if you are selling into the EU.
- Customer reviews, case studies and local contact details to build trust.
Search-engine optimisation should also be tailored to each market: the keywords that work in the UK may not be the ones your overseas customers use. If you are dealing with international business partners, clear communication tools and local contact numbers can also help you look credible abroad. A virtual phone number for your target country can make you look local without the cost of a physical office.
Plan for the long term
International success rarely happens overnight. Even with a strong product, building trust, finding partners and adapting to local expectations takes time. Start with a clear export plan, test one or two markets with a soft launch, gather feedback and refine your offer before scaling up.
Set realistic milestones, track your costs carefully and be prepared for cultural differences, longer payment cycles and the occasional logistical setback. Patience, perseverance and a willingness to learn are the real foundations of a successful micro-multinational.
Your next steps to start exporting
- Choose one target market and research it using DBT country guides and ONS trade data.
- Check whether you need an EORI number and register for HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service if you will move goods.
- Compare FX providers, multi-currency accounts and export credit insurance before you quote prices.
- Sign up for the DBT Export Academy and contact your local Growth Hub or Chamber of Commerce.
- Soft-launch on a marketplace or with a localised landing page, then refine before scaling.
Deciding to take your small business global is a significant step, but the UK has more export support available than many founders realise. Use it, plan carefully, and treat your first market as a learning exercise rather than a one-off sale.
