The main goal of every company is to maximize its profits. More and more companies are deciding to export their products in order to increase their market shares and hence their profits.In this context, particular attention should be paid to export marketing, which is a key component for a successful placement of a product on international markets. The necessary steps to implement an effective export marketing strategy are:

• Conduct a market research to select specific markets / target groups and gather as much information as possible (e.g. main consumer trends, political, cultural, social and economic data, and potential trade and legal barriers).
• Particular emphasis should be placed on the target market culture, as there are often fatal mistakes in promoting the product due to its inadequate or inappropriate adaptation. Indeed, it is considered necessary the following:
• Differentiation of certain product features (e.g. color, designs, packaging pictures)
• Use of the appropriate language and messages! By placing a product on different target markets, it is possible to use words that have different meanings in another language.
• Competitors’ analysis: It is considered necessary to investigate existing and potential competitors in each target market in order to enable the company to diversify and become more competitive! 
• Choosing the right distribution channels. Distribution channels are not as effective for all markets / target groups. For example, e – commerce is particularly popular in Southeast Asia, while consumers in Europe prefer more traditional retail outlets than on – line shopping.
• Creating a website. It is a necessary step for the effective promotion of the company and its products and must therefore be visually attractive, functional and user-friendly. A website or an e-shop facilitates and supports product sales abroad.
• Right pricing! It is important that when pricing a product one should take into account production costs, transportation and storage costs, the prices of competitors, the cost of promotion as well as the extra costs that may result from the possible diversification or adjustment of the product in each target market.

 
Sources: www.bakermarketingservices.com,  www.independent.ie, www.thebalance.com, www.marketingdonut.co.uk, http://canadabusiness.ca, www.shell-livewire.or