If you’re a small business, it is all about doing the little things right. It is a lot of responsibility if you’re just starting.
There are too many things to consider, from marketing and operations to finances. You need to invest a lot to make things work. And it’s not just in monetary terms but also terms of efforts, sacrifices, and dedication.
As per a business insights report conducted by Intuit in 2021, approximately 17 million new small businesses will take shape by the end of 2022.
In this cutthroat competition, you need certain must-haves (that most overlook) to persevere till the end. So, to ensure you don’t miss anything or lag from other rivals, go through this list!
1. Create verified online listings
Just like every other business, yours need to have an online presence in today’s day. Like your competitors, your business must also be included in business directories listings.
If your business has been around for a good while, your account might have already been set up on your behalf on online directories such as Google Business, Yelp, and other directories relevant to your business.
However, just because your business is already up does not mean your job here is done. So, check leading online directories like Google Business to see a live listing.
You need to claim the listing to obtain operational control if you find it. This will enable you to control the information and check and reply to reviews.
If you haven’t yet created a listing, do so immediately to benefit from the free marketing that comes with it. It will also ensure people can find your business online and get more traffic to your business page!
2. Go paperless with premium business cards
Business cards are a must-have if you want to get fundamental information about your business easily and without verbal explanations.
However, about 88% of paper business cards are discarded within the next seven days. Just like everyone else, handing out paper cards to prospective leads will hardly get you any returns.
You can only hope that they will not lose it, forget about it, or toss it away. Further, you can only provide very basic information on a traditional card.
This is your cue to step up your game and get premium business cards. These are environmentally conscious as they’re made of metal, creating a good look for your brand.
All you need to do is tap it on a prospective lead’s phone and get them to scan it to receive all the relevant information about your business and your services or products.
Not only will this fresh approach interest them, but having your information on their phone will increase their chances of reaching out to you!
3. Set up a well-designed website
It is not enough to just have a website. You need a well-designed website to grasp visitors’ attention and provide them with all the necessary information about your business. It should be attractive, communicative, clear, and easy to browse.
For instance, if you are a restaurant owner, your website should have clear information about your menu, timings, reservation details, and other inputs given clearly.
Since that is what a person looking for a restaurant would want to check, you need to provide the visitors with the information needed to understand what you have to offer.
Today, you do not need to spend a fortune to get someone to create a good website for you. You sign up for multiple services that will help you create your own website however you like for very nominal prices.
This removes two potential issues for you. First, you don’t have to depend on someone else for your website. Second, you can edit and alter it however you like!
4. Get a customized business email
It is common for small businesses to use their email for their business. Although it’s not wrong, it appears unprofessional, and you can miss out on important emails due to overcrowding in your inbox.
If you have a separate email for your business, like ‘yourbusinessname@gmail.com,’ that is not a “business email.”
Rather, it is an address that uses the name of your business as the domain name, such as ‘yourname/position@businessname.com’. It makes your email ID look more professional and helps add credibility.
You can also add your business logo to make it more attractive to potential clients.
5. Opt for a Customer Relationship Management Software
Even as a small business, it can get overwhelming to efficiently track every aspect of your customer dealings.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software might sound daunting, but it is neither difficult nor expensive. It will help you organize your clients or customers, provide contact information, and track your leads.
With it, you can also effectively maintain services your business has rendered, bookings and requests, invoices due, and payments made.
The best part is that not only are most good CRM tools easy to use, but many are free. Thus, not only can opting for a CRM tool help you operate more efficiently, but it will also save you a lot of time and also save you good costs on operation expenses.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Most of the must-haves for your small business in 2023 do not require you to spend a lot of time, energy, or money. However, remember that the right tools and services for your business will ensure its future success and growth.
Thus, with these basic ideas, try to stay updated on all the new services and tools to support the growth of your business!
