Make your website and communications work for international trade

WHAT IS AN EXPORT COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW?

The Export Communications Review (ECR) is a key service from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the United Kingdom Government’s lead organisation for supporting UK companies in overseas business.

An Export Communications Review provides small and medium-sized UK companies with impartial and objective advice on how to improve international communication & attract more international visitors to websites, increasing competitiveness in existing and future export markets. It also builds confidence & know-how to trade successfully with overseas customers.

HOW DOES THE ECR WORK?

Your company can benefit from a series of Export Communications Reviews to support the development of your international business and review how well you communicate with your export markets.

Each ECR will assess one component of your international communications, typically covering:

  • your website
  • marketing, operational or training materials
  • personal meetings and face-to-face presentations.

An independent accredited export communications consultant will discuss with you how to handle international communication with your global clients, agents, distributors & overseas partners. They will identify communication strengths and weaknesses, including language and cultural issues.

Each ECR includes:

  • A thorough assessment of your communications against international best practice
  • A 2-3 hour visit (or Skype call) to your company by an accredited consultant
  • A full written report with recommendations for action.

ARE YOU COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY WITH YOUR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS, AGENTS, DISTRIBUTORS OR PARTNERS?

A general Export Communications Review will give you tailored, practical recommendations on how you can improve your marketing & operational documentation and face-to-face interaction, so that it is suitable for international English & non-English speaking audiences.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE UKTI GENERAL EXPORT COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW –  email us at [email protected]

IS YOUR WEBSITE GENERATING EXPORT BUSINESS?

A website Export Communications Review will give you tailored, practical recommendations to help you to localise and optimise your website for international trade, so you can enter new markets via the web.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE UKTI WEBSITE EXPORT COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW – email us at [email protected]

AN EXPORT COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW REALLY WORKS!

Hundreds of UK businesses have already benefited from the support of a UKTI Export Communications Review. Recent research shows that two-thirds of businesses have figures to show they have gained business or increased their export turnover as a result of a review.

The ECR has benefited exporters in many different ways:

  • It increases revenue
  • It encourages them to think more broadly
  • It provides an action plan for improving international communications
  • It builds confidence to trade with new and challenging markets
  • A fresh pair of eyes reviews their export activities
  • It makes the website work harder.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE ECR?

Any UK company can apply for an Export Communications Review.

Financial support is currently available from UK Trade & Investment to companies who:

  • are UK-based
  • have fewer than 250 employees
  • have been trading for a minimum of two years
  • are currently exporting or have plans in place to start exporting.

Eligible companies can benefit from up to three UKTI-subsidised reviews. The cost of a review is £500 + VAT (VAT is charged on the full cost of each review). You may be eligible for a UK Trade & Investment subsidy of £250 towards the cost of a review. The cost to eligible companies is therefore £350 (£500 + £100 VAT – £250 subsidy).

CONTACT US TO APPLY FOR A UKTI EXPORT COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW – email us at [email protected]

Topics: Getting Started, Market Research, and Sales & Marketing
Export Action Plan