Thinking of starting an online business but don’t know where to start from? The first step is always the hardest, the rest will follow.
This is especially true if you are creating and maintaining a digital presence for your company or service. It doesn’t matter if you are a new entrepreneur that is kickstarting that first company or a business owner that is adapting to the new normal in 2021; first impressions are always important and planning the next phase of your project can be tricky business.
That’s why today we’re distilling our experience with satisfied Webbiz clients into a how to start an online business in 5 steps in order to build an online business.
From marketing books to 30-second videos on Instagram, every corner of the internet claims to have the most efficient checklist to start an online business.
However, give or take a few additions, the sequence is always a variation of the following:
- Identify a desire in the market
- Communicate your capability of filling that need
- Drive traffic to your website
- Create relationships with your customers and potential customers
- Upscale your business
1- Market Research – Solving Problems
Products and services are solutions to demands. Business owners need to establish the demand before selling anything to their prospective customers. In other words, you need to find the question before telling people you have the answer.
Similarly to the start-up process list, there are many different ways of identifying a market demand that you might have a solution for. Some of the potential ways in which to do so include:
- Using platforms such as Google Analytics or SEMRush that track consumer behavior online via keywords or frequently asked questions.
- Immersing yourself in the community that you are aiming to provide a service for and checking which market potential topics are discussed.
- Identifying any direct or indirect competitors and auditing their content, services, platforms, and products to improve the current offer.
2- Communication
The rule of thumb when it comes to communication is to focus on clarity and efficiency with what is needed. When it comes to an online website, this means investing in design and web development to make your platform as efficient and interesting as possible to the outside world. Luckily for you, creating an online presence for clients is our passion. So, if you need an awesome-looking website, you are in the right place.
Even though most designers and developers will say that there is no formula when it comes to creating the best design, there are some essential building blocks that facilitate communication between brands and people online.
Research indicates that users regard design as the most decisive factor in judging a company’s credibility. So, if you are planning to start an online business, great design is almost a mandatory requirement.
3- Drive traffic to your website
By now you have already defined what are you selling and the proper channels through which to tell your public how they can get a hold of your incredible solution. Now what?
As we mentioned in a previous Webbiz Guide, the internet is a vast ocean of content. How can your business compete against some of the biggest corporations in the world, survive, and thrive?
The answer, as always, is to think intelligently. Good Search Engine Optimization and Data Analysis are only two of the many tools that you can invest in to help you drive leads and generate sales and happy costumers.
4 – Making connections – Building Bridges
The best-known secret to marketing in the 21st century is creating and building connections between you and your audience. It’s no coincidence that social media has become one of the most important areas of the tech industry over the last few years. It is also one of the few industries that were left unscathed by the pandemic.
People crave connections and during these reclusive times, the need is stronger than ever. This doesn’t mean that you have to individually reach out to every potential buyer and talk to them about how your new product is the best thing in Dublin. More than anything, it’s all about promoting your company’s values and using them to create genuine connections with the local community.
Relationships are created by doing a stellar job during the most tricky part of every sale – the sell itself. Satisfied clients might not leave a 5-star review of your company on Google but it certainly beats the alternative of a disgruntled user bashing your product on Twitter. By creating an open space you are more likely to avoid a bad reputation online – and everybody knows that the internet does not forget.
5- Upscaling
So, you have a clear idea of your potential market, you have developed both an amazing website and an astonishing communication strategy, you have invested in SEO tactics and fostered a positive connection with your clients and potential leads. What is the next step then?
We enjoy nothing more than upscaling your business to the next level here at Webbiz. With specialists across the digital marketing spectrum, we can help you to turn a simple idea into a commercial reality.