Table of Contents
Sort out your technology
Good tech is the cornerstone of business these days, from task management software to data archival methods.
There’s a lot to know about how to invest in the right technology for your business, so if you can afford it, consider hiring someone with the know-how to set you up for success.
You won’t necessarily need a full-time person for this, and outsourcing is often the best option.Pick the best you can afford. We also suggest setting up good backup systems. See our next point.
Backup
Your power lies in your data. No matter what kind of business you run, you will most likely be relying on some sort of data management system. If you don’t have one consider setting something up and make sure everyone on your team is on board with how to use it properly.
Remember to store your data backups in different locations so that if something happens to it in one location you still have other locations where this information is stored. This cannot be overstated enough!
If this isn’t something you are familiar with, speak to people who know about this so that you get the best advice out there.
Losing information not only costs you productivity but it can be expensive and some information is irreplaceable. You don’t want to land up losing one of your top client’s work due to not backing up in different locations.
Cloud storage is also worth considering, although this can come at a price.
Improve your social presence
Your presence on social media is extremely important and should not be neglected. It’s an excellent form of marketing and can be relatively inexpensive compared to print media options. Set up a Facebook page, get your Instagram up and running, but do also keep in mind who your target audience is and where they are active.
If most of your audience isn’t on Instagram don’t invest too much there. Same goes for other social media channels. Go where your target audience is! And listen.
Listen to what your audience is saying and what kind of content they want. Start a blog and link to articles there from your social media profiles. Keep it interesting and make people want to come back.
Check your online reputation
Do thorough research about yourself and your company by checking search engine results for your company, yourself, and even coworkers.
Results that show negative reviews can severely impact your reputation so the more positive results there are for your company the better.
Improve your SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) too. This is crucial for getting the information you want at the top of search results and making it easier for your target market to locate you. If you cannot afford these campaigns because of budget restrictions, you can opt for small business loans like the ones offered by Kapitus.
Ask for help
It can be a lonely road to walk being a business owner but don’t be scared to reach out and ask for help. Join a business network and mingle with others who are in the same situation as you.
They may not be in the same industry but most small businesses face the same challenges starting up so go out there and talk to people! You may learn a lot from others. Sharing your experiences can also be gratifying.
Insure your precious goods
Everything from business cars to expensive equipment needs to be insured – do your homework and shop around to find a competitive insurance quote that will provide adequate insurance cover.
It’s best not to skimp in this department as not only does losing equipment result in losing time but also data. This takes us back to our second point so that if you lose your equipment your data is still accessible.
An insurance broker will be able to advise you on the best option for your business and may be able to give you a fairly good rate as you are starting out. Don’t be shy to explain your situation.
For more tips for success, read more here. From putting the right team together to going out there and finding mentors who can help you, there are several tips to set you up for success from the get-go.
