It’s never been easier to start a small business. There are valid arguments for just diving in, and not waiting until you have all the details ironed out. But as the adage goes: You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. An unprofessional launch could set you back, and you may find those things you planned to take care of later always get pushed to the back burner. In the meantime, you could lose business.
1. Set up a website
Your website doesn’t need to be fancy, but make sure it professionally reflects your business and contains the information customers generally need to know, such as how to contact you, business hours, the menu of services (or menu for a restaurant), etc. There are a variety of services that will help you create a simple but professional-looking site; if your needs are more extensive, you may need to hire someone to create it for you. Even if your site is a single page, make it look professional. You can always add more pages later.
A few businesses get away with not having a website, and instead, use a Facebook business page or even an Instagram account. Think carefully about adopting this strategy, however. Almost anyone can access a website, but not everyone is a Facebook or Instagram user. And when you rely on a third-party platform, you lose some control over your prospects’ and customers’ experiences.
2. Get a business phone number
Have you ever called a business and been taken aback when the phone is answered with a blunt “hello” rather than a professional greeting? It doesn’t inspire confidence. That’s why you need a business phone number: If a phone call, text, or email comes in for your business, you can respond appropriately.
Fortunately, these days you don’t have to spring for an expensive business landline if you don’t want to. You can add a second line to your cell phone for just a few thousand a month. Here are Six affordable services you can use to get a business phone number.
3. Use a business address
It’s perfectly fine these days to start your business from home, a coworking space, or really from anywhere in the world. But using a business address can add a layer of privacy and professionalism. If you aren’t ready to invest in office space, consider getting a business address while you work from home, it helps your business to stand out.
4. Establish a social media presence
Your business doesn’t have to be on every social media platform, but find out where your customers congregate and consider developing a basic presence on the most popular ones. At a minimum, grab the social media handles for your business name before someone else does. If you don’t know how it works, you can learn online about it
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