Taking your business global means searching for new customers and new markets. More than 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States. Where in the world are your cross-border customers?...

Here are 12 places to look.

1. The Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA)
www.fita.org/index.html

Furnishes trade leads, news, events and links to 7,000 international trade-related Web sites.

2. globalEDGE
globaledge.msu.edu/

Offers global business knowledge, including country insights, resource desk, knowledge room, community forums and a free newsletter.

3. GlobeTrade.com
www.globetrade.com

Helps entrepreneurs and small businesses expand internationally.

4. International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
www.ita.doc.gov/index.html

Serves as a one-stop shop for those interested in expanding internationally.

5. Kompass
www.kompass.com

Supplies global business information on more than 1.9 million companies spanning across 70 countries.

6. MyExports
www.myexports.com/

Gives U.S. exporters a way to establish contacts and conduct global business.

7. Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration
www.sbaonline.sba.gov/OIT/

Provides localized assistance on global opportunities.

8. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
www.oecd.org/

Covers economic and social issues ranging from macroeconomics, to trade, to education and innovation.

9. PIERS
www.piers.com

Provides business competitive intelligence based on manifests and bills of lading that document import-export activity.

10. Stat-USA / Internet
www.stat-usa.gov/

Delivers vital economic, business, and international trade information produced by the U.S. Government.

11. The U.S. Commercial Service / BuyUSA
www.buyusa.gov/home/

Serves as your global business partner for exporting to or importing from the United States.

12. The U.S. Government Export Portal
www.export.gov/

Provides online trade resource and one-on-one assistance for your international business.