Grow your exports, sales,
brand, and business
Best-practice, optimally localized business development websites, designed with an international focus, so your company will be found, be understood, and be easy to do business with
International online marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Programs, to grow your traffic, engagement and conversions
IBT Online works with THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT (OTI) to deliver the Illinois Online Global Programs to help Illinois companies grow their exports, sales, brand and business. For full details and downloadables of the Illinois Online Global Programs, please see below.
The Office of Trade and Investment (OTI) opens overseas markets for Illinois companies and promotes foreign direct investment in Illinois. OTI strives to raise Illinois’ profile as a global business leader through a network of professionals focused on improving the state’s economy through international sales growth and partnerships. With headquarters in Chicago and six foreign offices around the world, the Department of Commerce's Office of Trade and Investment is dedicated to helping small and medium sized businesses expand their global reach and export abroad.
Illinois’ State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP) program provides Illinois’ small businesses with both financial and technical assistance to increase their exports. The ISTEP program includes Website Localization and eCommerce (WL).
Financial assistance is available for website localization which consists of website translation services, localization for foreign markets, search engine optimization payment functions, hosting, app integration, web services, and cybersecurity; for companies to increase opportunities for export success.
Financial assistance for 50% of costs, not to exceed $10,000 per company.
Lauro Arias, International Trade Specialist, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Trade and Investment. Watch Lauro present the Illinois Online Global programs and its benefits for Illinois companies:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT ILLINOIS EXPORT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CONTACT AN OTI TRADE SPECIALIST
Margo Markopoulos
Director of the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment
Email: Margo.Markopoulos@Illinois.gov
Call: (312) 636-9456
Margo Markopoulos is Director of the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment. Bringing over 20 years of international experience to her position, Margo leads the Department’s strategies to increase Illinois’ exports and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the State.
Kelly Hou
International Trade Specialist - Asia
Email: Kelly.Hou@illinois.gov
Call: (773) 520-4300
Kevin Kim
International Trade Specialist – Asia Pacific
Email: Kevin.Kim@Illinois.gov
Call: (312) 833-3081
Edward Lee
International Trade Specialist – Asia Pacific
Email: Edward.J.Lee@Illinois.gov
Call: (773) 415-8938
Riccardo Navon
International Trade Specialist – Europe & UK
Email: Riccardo.Navon@illinois.gov
Call: (312) 270-6747
Sam Ntum
Senior International Trade Specialist – Africa & Middle East
Email: Sam.Ntum@Illinois.gov
Call: (312) 520-3792
Zdenka Samson
International Trade Specialist – Europe & UK
Email: Zdenka.Samson@illinois.gov
Call: (773) 415-8945
Chris Sedgwick
International Trade Specialist – Americas
Email: Chris.Sedgwick@illinois.gov
Call: (312) 204-9480
Best-practice, optimally localized business development websites, designed with an international focus, so your company will be found, be understood, and be easy to do business with in your target markets
Customer-centric websites, and future extensions, which you will own, will be built and managed for you
Teamwork Project Management, your program and technical team, ensure organized, transparent and effective collaboration, the program management, changes and extensions, meet deadlines and achieve results
One best-practice, optimally localized business development WordPress website
Predefined scope: 35 pages, 10,000 words
Budget: $18,000 @ $180 per hour
Two best-practice, optimally localized business development WordPress websites
Predefined scope: 12 pages, 3,500 words per website
Budget: $18,000 @ $180 per hour
Any number of best-practice, optimally localized business development WordPress websites
Custom scope: ## pages, ##,### words
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
One best-practice, optimally Localized User eXperience (LUX) WordPress website design
Online Global website design for higher traffic, improved engagement, more conversions and clear brand communication
Budget: $10,000 @ $180 per hour
Any number of WordPress websites optimally localized management and support
Management of CMS, hosting, security, geolocation, cloud backup and the 24/7 support portal
Budget: $60 per website pcm @ $180 per hour
Best-practice, optimally localized Shopify and WooCommerce website development services to create a new, or manage an existing, online store, tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Designing a user-friendly interface, integrating payment gateways, and setting up product categories and listings.
Shopify and WooCommerce ecommerce website management services to ensure that the online store operates smoothly and efficiently. Updating product information, managing orders and inventory, monitoring website traffic and analytics, and troubleshooting technical issues.
Teamwork Project Management, your program and technical team, ensure organized, transparent and effective collaboration, the program management, changes and extensions, meet deadlines and achieve results.
One best-practice, optimally localized business development website with Shopify (IBT Online is a Shopify Partner) ecommerce
Sell online in your target markets. Ecommerce Platforms: Shopify, cloud content platforms, deployment, implementation
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
Any number of Shopify (IBT Online is a Shopify Partner) ecommerce websites optimally localized management and support
Management of CMS, hosting, security, geolocation, cloud backup and the 24/7 support portal
Budget: Dependent on scope of work
One best-practice, optimally localized business development website with WooCommerce ecommerce
Sell online in your target markets. Ecommerce Platforms: WooCommerce, Open-source, cloud content platforms, deployment, implementation
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
Any number of WooCommerce ecommerce websites optimally localized management and support
Management of CMS, hosting, security, geolocation, cloud backup and the 24/7 support portal
Budget: Dependent on scope of work
Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Programs, so your company will grow traffic, engagement and conversions, as well as help you connect with your customers, increase awareness of your brand, and boost your leads and sales, in your target markets
Market review, content analysis, buyer persona and journey, rivals, industry, relevant companies, projected conversions and return on investment forecasting
Teamwork Project Management, your program and technical team, ensure organized, transparent and effective collaboration, the program management, changes and extensions, meet deadlines and achieve results
One Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Program
Budget: Set-up $1,800, Monthly $2,700 @ $180 per hour
Two Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Programs
Budget: Set-up $3,240, Monthly $4,680 @ $180 per hour
Any number of Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Programs
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
Any number of Account Based Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
Any number of Social listening, brand monitoring and data analytics programs
Budget: Depended upon scope of work
Any number of Video Marketing Programs. Video Marketing has rapidly become a key element of a well-rounded marketing strategy; easy to digest, entertaining and 12X more engaging than written content
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
CHINA Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Program
Budget: Set-up $2,700, Monthly $2,700 @ $180 per hour
#Tradeshow Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Social Media Marketing (SMM), Email Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Program
Budget: Set-up $3,600 , Delivery $2,880, Follow-up and Reporting $1,440 @ $180 per hour
CHINA International Online Global Ecommerce Marketing Program
Budget: Set-up $15,000, Monthly $5,000 @ $180 per hour