Starting your own business is a thoroughly exciting time but the harsh reality is that many start-ups fail within the first six months. However, this doesn’t have to be the case for you.
The key to any start-up is to have a well thought-out plan and ensuring that everything is in order before you take the plunge. The following paragraphs outline the key things that you need to do.
Determine where you are going to work from
The type of work that you are thinking about undertaking will largely dictate the premises in which you work from. You’ll need certain equipment to carry out your job to the highest of standards so it is essential that you find a place of work that meets your needs. Looking for office space is quite a mammoth task. Once you have found the location you’ll likely need to pay for utilities, find an internet provider and purchase furniture. There really is a lot to do!
Thankfully, one way around this is to consider using a serviced office. The main attraction of these is that the office space is fully equipped and ready for you to move in. You’ll walk through the door to find a high-speed internet connection, desks, chairs and usually printing facilities as well. All you need to do is hook up your laptop or computer and you are ready to go.
Think about how you will win business
Competition is fierce and before you even think about starting a business you need to have a well-thought strategy in place for winning work. You don’t need to be a sales and marketing guru, but just by carrying out a few simple tasks you’ll be able to put yourself in a stronger position to generate revenue.
Market yourself online
Everyone is online, even the local baker will have some form of web presence. There are many affordable agencies and freelancers who will be able to produce a website that doesn’t break the bank, so have a search online.
Once your site is live you will need to think about SEO. SEO is a set of techniques that can be implemented to increase a website’s ranking within search engines for related keyword searches. With search engines being the first port of call for most consumers the importance of a number one ranking is greater than ever.
Prepare for any travelling
It might be that your business requires you to travel. If this is the case you’ll need to think about what accommodation you’ll need. Assuming the cost of accommodation is reasonable it can be claimed as a tax-deductible expense. With this in mind, serviced apartments are great. They are available on a short-term basis and are considered ideal for business people who need somewhere to stay for a night or two whilst they meet a client.
Do you think you have launched a successful start-up? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo: kev-shine / Flickr
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