Negosentro | Top tips for setting up your business | Taking the plunge and setting up your own business is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences, but there’s a lot to consider. The road won’t be easy, especially at the beginning, but if this is something you’re passionate about, it will be worth the long hours and hard work.
Where do you start once you have your idea? Our top tips will give you a solid start to doing business the right way.
Do your research
Market research is a crucial first step – look at what products are doing well, what is in demand, what your competitors are doing, and whether there is a niche for your business. This last question is crucial because this will be your unique selling point. You want your product to stand out because people need it, and it’s different (and better!) in comparison. Take your research to the next level by using surveys and interviews to learn what consumers want.
It’s also worth conducting a SWOT analysis. This is where you explore strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which helps you look at how your business could perform in the marketplace. This process also enables you to identify any shortcomings you might not have considered – and every start-up has them – which will benefit you in the long run.
Running a successful business is more than just doing what you love. It also needs to be profitable, and you need to know what you’re doing.
Create a business plan
This is the second crucial step. A business plan is a written document that outlines your business’s future, describes your company’s main activities, and explains how you will reach your goals. You must do your business plan because it will allow financial institutions and potential investors to understand your business and help them decide what support they can offer. It can also further your research about your business and develop your ideas.
A good business plan includes the following:
- An executive summary.
- A marketing strategy.
- Financial planning.
- Your overall budget.
- An overview of what products and/or services your business will offer.
Outsource for extra help
Starting a business by yourself can be daunting, so friends and family will be hugely important in the first months and years. You don’t have to do it alone.
You could seek a business partner or find support through services you can hire, such as a Telephone Answering Service, an accountant, or a virtual personal assistant. Depending on the nature of your business, you could also recruit volunteers and interns to help get the ball rolling and offer professional development in return.
Create a website
After you have done your planning and research, registered your business, and opened your business bank account, you can now look at getting digital.
Every business needs a website and social media to reach key audiences and make the most of tools such as social media adverts, Google Ads, and SEO. Ensure your website explains your business and services, includes your contact details and business address, your logo, visual and written information about your products and/or services, and, ideally, a way to buy directly from your website.