Nearly a quarter of small businesses tap overseas markets

6/22/2011

With the American economy still on the rebound, a growing number of small businesses are looking internationally to sell their products. According to a new survey conducted by Portfolio.com, nearly 25 percent of American small businesses generate sales abroad, while 6 percent said they plan to export in the near future.

More than one million small business owners are currently engaged in international sales, generating as much as $2 trillion every year from international sales. 

Many entrepreneurs who do export to foreign soil believe their business prospects are much better than their counterparts who work exclusively domestically.

"International business isn't just for multinational corporations anymore. With the power of Internet sales engines and the reach of mobile devices, smaller businesses and entrepreneurs in the United States are able to extend their reach beyond our borders," said J. Jennings Moss, Portfolio.com's editor.

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched a new tool designed to help small businesses determine if their company would succeed by exporting.