2 answers
grace
Student
Annapolis, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
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How do I start a small business?
What websites should I use?
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2 answers
Catherine Ty
Store Owner/Buyer
10
Answers
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
I'm just a simple small store owner . For me, make sure that your business is located in a high traffic area . You can post your products online and sell them in a good quality. I always use my facebook account to have my customers so that they know my business.
Mona Ahmadi
Art Instructor, Artist
23
Answers
Vienna, Virginia
Updated
Mona’s Answer
Hello Grace. This is a challenging but very exciting step in one's career. I don't know what type of business you wish to start, so my answer is generic. I hope it'd be helpful. Choose whichever part relates to your goal. Sorry, it is going to be a little lengthy.
1) First, identify your business idea: Determine the type of business you want to start. Something that you are passionate about and can actually see yourself doing it for a long time. Consider your skills, interests, and availability for at least the next two years. After that, you should research your idea and assess its potential, practicality, and competition.
2)Start market research: Understand your target market, potential customers, and competitors. Identify the needs and preferences of your target audience. This information will help you shape your business strategy. It means if you see yourself capable of selling items, try to figure out what, where, and to whom. Who would be your customer? What is the demographic of this group? Would it be a local business, or would it also provide international service? By which means and tools do you think you can connect to them ?
3)Create a business plan: Develop a comprehensive business plan that determines your goals, target market, products or services, marketing strategies, financial projections, and operational details.
For example, you should think about how you will let people know about you. Do you already have an excellent social presence that would help your connections and audience know about your newly founded job through your posts, or should you start on that as well? What kind of advertisement would your business need? It definitely needs a good and informative website so that you can lead traffic to it, etc.
You can also hire experts to set up your website, create a business email, and design it with good-quality pictures if you do not want to do it yourself. Or, you can start your website on other platforms that have already been designed to host other small businesses, and since they already have good traffic, your page would have a better chance to be seen as well. In this case, you do not need to worry too much about advertising and marketing at the beginning.
Depending on your business, there are so many websites that you can start your own page on their platform.
Make sure you research a lot before you choose. See what other users say about the platform. What are the reviews of customers? How much will they charge you, and what kind of customer service do they provide? How well are they known?
A wrong choice can hurt your business and lead to disappointment or even debt. So a business plan can serve as a crucial roadmap for your business. Then Set up your operations: You can also establish a physical location for your business, if needed, even in your home, and acquire any necessary equipment or inventory.
4)Secure financing: Determine how you will finance your business. This can involve personal savings, loans from banks or investors, crowdfunding, Family or friends, or other funding options. Consider creating a budget and cash flow projections to manage your finances effectively.
5)Choose a business structure: Decide on the legal system of your business, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), etc. You can consult an attorney or accountant to understand the legal options and tax implications better. Or, if you wish to start by yourself as a sole owner at the beginning, know that you have to learn and understand how to handle your taxes.
6) Choose a name for your business and check its availability. You can register your business name and get any licenses and permits required in your industry and location. You can also register for taxes and call an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if applicable. If you are one person only, you might not need EIN, but make sure to check this in your area. The rules might differ from location to location.
7)Develop a marketing strategy: Create a marketing plan to promote your products or services; utilize both online and offline marketing channels, whether you have the budget for running Ads or you want to market yourself through your social media channels. Focus on learning how to use social media, search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, networking, and partnerships to your advantage. Study a lot about SEO because even on a hosting platform, the titles or names you choose, the listing of your products, and the wording are essential in increasing the visibility of your page in search engines such as Google or even among the many pages of the platform. If you use the correct keywords and bring traffic to your page from random people searching for the same product daily on Google, the platform's algorithm also starts recommending your page to its visitors.
8) After doing these works, you can determine if you need employees to support your business operations at this stage or if you will need them later. Understand the legal requirements for hiring employees, such as payroll taxes, benefits, and employment laws. Alternatively, you may choose to work with independent contractors or freelancers.
9) And, eventually, launch your business: Start offering your products or services to customers. Monitor and evaluate your business performance regularly; this is really important, and keep making adjustments as necessary. Stay agile and adapt to market feedback and changing trends.
Starting a small business requires dedication, hard work, and attention. Seek advice from others, attend entrepreneurial workshops or seminars, and continually educate yourself about the industry. Building a successful business takes time, so I hope you stay patient, motivated, and committed to your goals.
1) First, identify your business idea: Determine the type of business you want to start. Something that you are passionate about and can actually see yourself doing it for a long time. Consider your skills, interests, and availability for at least the next two years. After that, you should research your idea and assess its potential, practicality, and competition.
2)Start market research: Understand your target market, potential customers, and competitors. Identify the needs and preferences of your target audience. This information will help you shape your business strategy. It means if you see yourself capable of selling items, try to figure out what, where, and to whom. Who would be your customer? What is the demographic of this group? Would it be a local business, or would it also provide international service? By which means and tools do you think you can connect to them ?
3)Create a business plan: Develop a comprehensive business plan that determines your goals, target market, products or services, marketing strategies, financial projections, and operational details.
For example, you should think about how you will let people know about you. Do you already have an excellent social presence that would help your connections and audience know about your newly founded job through your posts, or should you start on that as well? What kind of advertisement would your business need? It definitely needs a good and informative website so that you can lead traffic to it, etc.
You can also hire experts to set up your website, create a business email, and design it with good-quality pictures if you do not want to do it yourself. Or, you can start your website on other platforms that have already been designed to host other small businesses, and since they already have good traffic, your page would have a better chance to be seen as well. In this case, you do not need to worry too much about advertising and marketing at the beginning.
Depending on your business, there are so many websites that you can start your own page on their platform.
Make sure you research a lot before you choose. See what other users say about the platform. What are the reviews of customers? How much will they charge you, and what kind of customer service do they provide? How well are they known?
A wrong choice can hurt your business and lead to disappointment or even debt. So a business plan can serve as a crucial roadmap for your business. Then Set up your operations: You can also establish a physical location for your business, if needed, even in your home, and acquire any necessary equipment or inventory.
4)Secure financing: Determine how you will finance your business. This can involve personal savings, loans from banks or investors, crowdfunding, Family or friends, or other funding options. Consider creating a budget and cash flow projections to manage your finances effectively.
5)Choose a business structure: Decide on the legal system of your business, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), etc. You can consult an attorney or accountant to understand the legal options and tax implications better. Or, if you wish to start by yourself as a sole owner at the beginning, know that you have to learn and understand how to handle your taxes.
6) Choose a name for your business and check its availability. You can register your business name and get any licenses and permits required in your industry and location. You can also register for taxes and call an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if applicable. If you are one person only, you might not need EIN, but make sure to check this in your area. The rules might differ from location to location.
7)Develop a marketing strategy: Create a marketing plan to promote your products or services; utilize both online and offline marketing channels, whether you have the budget for running Ads or you want to market yourself through your social media channels. Focus on learning how to use social media, search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, networking, and partnerships to your advantage. Study a lot about SEO because even on a hosting platform, the titles or names you choose, the listing of your products, and the wording are essential in increasing the visibility of your page in search engines such as Google or even among the many pages of the platform. If you use the correct keywords and bring traffic to your page from random people searching for the same product daily on Google, the platform's algorithm also starts recommending your page to its visitors.
8) After doing these works, you can determine if you need employees to support your business operations at this stage or if you will need them later. Understand the legal requirements for hiring employees, such as payroll taxes, benefits, and employment laws. Alternatively, you may choose to work with independent contractors or freelancers.
9) And, eventually, launch your business: Start offering your products or services to customers. Monitor and evaluate your business performance regularly; this is really important, and keep making adjustments as necessary. Stay agile and adapt to market feedback and changing trends.
Starting a small business requires dedication, hard work, and attention. Seek advice from others, attend entrepreneurial workshops or seminars, and continually educate yourself about the industry. Building a successful business takes time, so I hope you stay patient, motivated, and committed to your goals.