The Internet has opened up a whole new era of business 
opportunities. Falling trade barriers combining with easy access 
to trade information thanks to the Internet have created dramatic 
possibilities and sparked the growth of global online trade in 
virtually every area.

Many companies are taking advantage of electronic media quite 
aggressively by making new contacts, tapping into new markets 
and reducing costs with the help of online technologies.

Whether you are starting a new import business or planning to 
expand your existing business, you too can use the Internet as 
your primary channel for getting information, sourcing products 
or services, finding suppliers and doing your marketing.

Before the Internet era, finding a viable product for importing 
was not an easy job! Trade shows and traveling to foreign lands 
were the two best options available for getting hands on 
information on a product and its supplier. Today, required 
information on any conceivable product from virtually any market 
is available at your finger tips.

Finding a product

If you know what you are planning to import, a substantial work 
is already done! Otherwise, your first step is to choose a 
feasible product or service to import. Whether you are planning 
to import a general merchandize or an industry-specific product, 
do your homework right.

Browse through Catalog repositories, B2B exchanges, electronic 
trade boards, trade journals and virtual trade shows to find a 
product. If you know the manufacturing country from where the 
product is possible to source, check out the country specific 
portals and exchanges. Here is a list of high quality electronic 
trade boards:

For China made products: http://www.tradesns.com

Sourcing from India: http://www.trade-india.com

For Russian Products: http://www.rusbiz.com

Products from Europe: http://www.europages.com

From South Korea: http://www.ec21.com

our criteria for choosing a product for importing should include:

Your prior knowledge of the product you intend to import and its 
industry. Your possibility of success increases considerably if 
you know the product well.

Access to required quantity of this product. If you spend time 
and effort in developing a local market for a product and unable 
to deliver, you will loose business and reputation.

Quality of the product. This is a crucial aspect for developing 
a market for any product. Quality of the product should be 
consistent with market requirement.

High profit margin. As import incurs many expenses that are 
specific to this type of business only, prior to import anything, 
you should carefully calculate all required expenses and see that 
you still make handsome profits. You can check out the sites of 
your prospective competitors and make a price comparison to get 
initial idea on your products present market price.

Finding supplier

Once you know – what you are planning to import – your next step 
is to find a reliable supplier for this product.

Emarketplace or B2B exchange

B2B exchanges can be a good help in getting suppliers of the 
products you are planning to import.