How to open a business

How to Open Your Business

You have decided to be an entrepreneur. You want to start a business because you want be your own boss, take risks and assume total responsibility. After a careful analysis of your skills and goals in life, you know that you have it in you to become a successful business owner, and you want to open your business.

You now have a business plan, funding, and you’re ready to roll. But wait; there are still a number of things to be done. Here are some tasks you need to do prior to putting that “Open for Business” sign:

1. Review local business orders.

You definitely do not want to start in hot legal water. Before you open your business, check your zoning ordinances. If you are starting a home business, you generally have nothing to worry about, unless you have employees wandering in and out, and generating traffic or parking problems in your neighborhood. Call your county’s clerk office or local chamber of commerce to get information on the proper board or commission to contact for zoning laws. Also run a quick and thorough check for potential infringements and if anyone else is using the business name. Do this before you spend any money on advertising, business cards or stationeries, or signs.

2. Get your business cards ready.

It is wise for a start-up to pay the lowest price to get the quality you need. It doesn’t mean buying the cheapest. Rather, it suggests that you look for the quality that fits your business needs. If you were selling Web design services, you would want a card that projects creativity, quality and professionalism so it is best for you to pay more for your cards. However, if your business is worm farming, you could probably use the cheapest cards you can find.

There are several resources on the Internet to help you create and purchase business cards:

3. Line up suppliers.

Finding the right supplier is one of the important start-up decisions you will make for your new business. Establishing supplier relations is crucial to ensure efficient production and inventory management system, as well as smooth financial flow. Here are some tips on finding and working with the best suppliers:

4. Get furniture and equipment.

As owner of a start-up venture, you do not need to spend money on designer furniture, top-of-the-line computer equipment your business does not really need, or a home office created by an expensive decorator. The goal in buying furniture and equipment is to make you and your clients feel comfortable in your place of work, allow you to save time and increase your productivity. Know the difference between “success spending” and “trappings of success spending.” Reward yourself with a high-end mahogany office system only after you had a really good year. Visit the following sites if you are buying furniture and equipment: Furniture Find, Staples, IBM and Hewlett-Packard.

5. Investigate the option of leasing.

The lease-versus-buy decision depends on your personal preferences – whether you are more comfortable owning or if you prefer to rent. Leasing can save you some dollars if:

6. Obtain business license or permit.

Without the proper permit, you can run into trouble. More so if your business begins to annoy your neighbors, particularly if your business generates too much noise or pollution, and you store materials on your yard. The need to have a business license or permit varies from state to state and from location to location. Registration is required if your business is a partnership or corporation, while some occupations require a permit or license. Typical occupations that require a license or permit in your locality include beauticians and barbers, restaurant owners, employment agencies, pawnbrokers, florists, insurance agents, among others.

7. Get requisite identification number.

These include federal employer identification number, and state employer I.D. number (if applicable). For a home-based entrepreneur, you can opt to use your social security number as the federal ID number for your business. However, if you want to present a more professional image, you can get a separate employer identification number (even if you do not have employees). You will need to file Form SS-4 with the Internal Revenue Service.

8. Know federal and state tax requirements.

Learning about the tax laws that will affect your business before your launching date can save you a lot of headache before the tax deadline comes. Send for the tax forms and study how what taxes you need to pay, the supporting documents you need to have, and the tax deductions you possibly avail.

9. Join a professional organization.

The adage “No man is an island” applies to self-employment as it does in real life. Being part of an organization or group allows you to network, meet new contacts, expose your business, learn industry news, find a support group, or even find a mentor. For solo home business entrepreneurs, this is an important excuse to go out of the house and connect with others in your field. The money spent on joining professional organizations will be repaid in terms of better referrals, better contacts and better knowledge. Right from the very beginning, you need to plan how and what organizations you and your business could benefit from. Then sign up and be active!

10. Set a starting date.

You are now ready to rock and roll! Decide whether you want to start your business with a whimper, or with pomp and pageantry. Many businesses benefit from pre-selling it to the market. You can use word of mouth, starting with your own circle of friends then to your acquaintances, and requesting them to spread the word about your new business. Think of cost-effective marketing strategies to create awareness for your business. If you have a Web site or launching a new online business, you can announce your new business through the following:

Recommended Books on How to Open Your Business:

How to Start a Business: The Complete Guide

So, you want to start a business? To strike out into the unknown, discover new opportunities, change the world, and make some money along the way?

The road to becoming your own boss can be a long one. But we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the steps — from creating a basic business plan to hiring your first employee — that you need to start a successful small business. You’ll learn how to:

So, without further ado, let’s get right to it and learn how to start a business.

The Big Idea

Every creative endeavor has two halves: the idea and its execution.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs can come up with some type of idea but end up struggling with the second part.

Need proof? First, how many friends of yours have revolutionary app ideas? Now, how many have actually developed an app, released it, and built a successful business out of it? Chances are, the answer to the second question is a lot lower.

When you start your own business, you need to have an execution plan ready from the get-go. So, let’s start things off on the right foot and make sure that you break your big idea down into small, realistic steps.

1. Refine Your Business Idea

Few things kill a new business like an idea that’s way too vague. How do you even start building your business if your idea is simply to “make a new type of social network?”

The answer? You don’t. You either refine your idea into something tangible, or you put it to the side.

But most ideas can be saved with a dash of refinement and a bit of polish. The key to doing so is asking the right questions:

By answering these questions, you can turn a vague idea like “start a new social network” into “start a new social network for US-based professionals and recent college graduates to connect and find job opportunities in their alumni networks.”

Once you get through your first round of questions, ask more questions: Why would this target demographic use this over LinkedIn? What are the features that separate it from the competition?

Refining your idea is like making a sculpture out of a block of marble. Start by cutting away big chunks on your first pass, and then chip at the little details once you’re further along.

But remember that sometimes, ideas simply won’t work, and it’s often more important to know when to give up on an idea than how to refine it. There’s no shame in admitting that a business idea isn’t a good one and putting it to the side so you can focus your efforts on another one.

2. Create a Business Plan

The next step is to start working out the nitty-gritty by working out a detailed business plan. Besides serving as a guide, your business plan can also come in handy when looking for investors or grants.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, a traditional business plan should have these elements:

3. Decide on a Business Name

Chances are that if you’ve made it this far, you already have some type of working name. But if you don’t, make sure you iron one out by this point.

When coming up with your business name, keep these tips in mind:

Some entrepreneurs get backed up at this stage. While it’s definitely important to make sure your business name has some allure to it, don’t overthink it and hold your entire business plan up just because you can’t settle on the perfect name. Give yourself a reasonable amount of thinking time, and go with your favorite option after that time has elapsed, even if you’re not thrilled with it.

4. Define Your Brand

Businesses are like people — they have names and personalities.

Once you’ve settled on a name for your business entity, start to consider what other features you want people to recognize your brand by.

At this point, you’ll want to design a logo and set some brand guidelines. What tone will your business take in its communications? What colors represent it?

Oatly, for example, has defined itself through its playful and irreverent copywriting, its logo, and the colors blue, brown, black, and white.

Ideally, your branding should be recognizable enough that even if you release a new product, customers will immediately realize that it’s a new addition to your product line.

Secure Your Space on the Web

With COVID-19 still affecting businesses across the world, maintaining a strong digital presence is more important than ever.

Luckily, starting a website and building a social presence is easy. Here’s how.

Related: 11 Ways Small Businesses Can Pivot to Survive a Crisis

1. Register a Domain

Your domain is the address that people will type in when they want to visit your website. It’s essentially your online calling card.

For example, our domain is dreamhost.com. If your business were called Doug’s Donuts, your domain might be dougsdonuts.com.

Purchasing and registering a domain is a simple process. All you need to do is search for your desired domain on a reputable domain registrar’s website and purchase it. Most registrars will guide you through the process.

Once you’ve got a domain, you’ll need to connect it to your website. Most website building platforms offer instructions on how to do this.

Overall, the hardest part about registering a domain is finding one that isn’t already taken. In some cases, you may need to get a bit creative by adding words, i.e., Doug’s Delicious Donuts, or change your name entirely so you can get a better domain name.

2. Secure Social Media Accounts

It’s estimated that there were more than 3.6 billion social media users in 2020. To ensure your business’s survival in the modern business climate, you need to be where your potential customers are — on social media.

But don’t be intimidated — you don’t need to actually develop your social media presence just yet; you just need to get your usernames. Like domain names, usernames on major social network sites are hot commodities and go fast, so you want to lock them down ASAP.

Unfortunately, it’s fairly unlikely that you’ll end up finding that the same username is available across all social media platforms. Most businesses will need to edit their handles slightly or have different accounts per platform (i.e., @dougsdonuts on Twitter and @dougsdeliciousdonuts on Instagram).

Related: 10 Easy Social Media Tips for Your Hard-Working Small Business

3. Create a Website

What use would your domain name be if you had no website to go along with it? Once you have a domain ready to go, it’s time to start building your website.

These days, there are tons of online website builders that make it easy to get a site up and running quickly.

But if you want your website to run on a powerful, tried-and-true platform, building a WordPress site is one of your best options. WordPress powers approximately 41% of all websites, so there’s no lack of support, powerful features, and communities to get involved in.

DreamHost offers a drag-and-drop WordPress website builder with shared hosting that combines the ease of a website building tool with the raw power of WordPress. This gives the business owner the best of both worlds.

We’ll Support Your Dream

Deal with Laws and Finances

Starting a business can sometimes mean navigating a lot of red tape. Between registering your business, structuring it, and opening a bank account, many entrepreneurs quickly find themselves with their hands full.

Here’s what you need to know to get started.

1. Find an Accountant and an Attorney

If you’re serious about your business’s success, it’s a good idea to start things off on the right foot and hire an accountant and an attorney. Starting a business is a complex process with lots of legal requirements, and this team will be able to guide you through it and answer the many questions you’re sure to have along the way.

If you’re on a very tight budget or starting your business as a side hustle, you may be able to hold off on this step. But keep in mind that you’re running a risk when you don’t have a professional helping you with complex tax, financial, and legal issues.

Plus, an attorney and accountant will help you figure out how to choose a business structure — the next step in your journey.

2. Decide on a Business Structure

Choosing a business structure is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The legal structure you choose will determine how you pay taxes and how your business is viewed by government entities.

Importantly, your business structure will determine whether your profits are taxed on a pass-through basis or not. Owners of pass-through businesses include their share of profits as individual, self-employed, taxable income. Owners of non-pass-through businesses pay themselves a salary and report their income and the business’s profits separately.

The most common business structures in the US are:

3. Register with the Government and the IRS

Most business registration is conducted at a state level, so you’ll need to look into your local laws to see what’s required to legally form your business. An attorney can be a great help here.

Once your business is registered, you might need to file to get a federal tax ID called an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can think of an EIN as a Social Security Number for your business. According to the Small Business Administration, you’ll need an EIN if your business does any of the following:

If you’re running a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC, you don’t need a separate tax ID — your profits are taxed as personal income.

4. Open a Business Bank Account

Having a bank account for your business can help you keep your personal and business finances separate, making accounting and filing taxes much easier. It also offers an extra layer of protection for your personal assets, maintains a professional image, and allows you to open a business credit card.

You’ll need to have all your business’s formation and tax documents, along with a business license and ownership agreements to open a bank account. Your accountant will be able to help you here — especially if you’re considering applying for a business loan.

5. Purchase Insurance

Many business owners forget this step or simply don’t realize how important it is.

Don’t be one of them. Purchasing liability insurance can sometimes be the only wall that protects you against bankruptcy if you get sued for some reason. Plus, if you hire employees, you’ll legally need to have worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance.

Set Up Your Daily Operations

A business is like a machine. To keep it running smoothly, you need to make sure all the parts fit together and stay well oiled.

1. Accounting

Your accounting system is the backbone of your business’s financial operations. Without a good system in place, you won’t be able to process invoices, make payments, etc.

Your best bet here is to speak with an accountant who can help you find a solution that works for your specific needs.

2. Project Management

A robust project management system ensures that projects reach completion in a timely and organized way. Project managers communicate with different team members, contractors, and other external businesses to keep everyone on the same page.

Whether you’re going to be your sole proprietorship’s own project manager or you’re hiring one for your corporation, it can be a good idea to invest in project management software like Asana or Trello.

Related: The 7 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses

3. Payroll

If you plan to hire employees, you’ll need some type of payroll system. Gusto, Intuit Payroll, and Bill.com are all good options.

If you’re hiring contractors, a payroll platform can also help, but it’s not entirely necessary.

4. Communications

If you’re hiring employees or contractors, you’ll need a way to communicate with each other. While email works fine in most cases, many businesses prefer platforms like Slack, which speed up communication and are more convenient than email.

5. Shipping

Businesses that have an e-commerce component will need to set up a shipping system. To figure this out, you’ll need to compare options like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL to see which one best fits your needs.

Related: The 30 Best Apps for Small Businesses in 2020

Build Your Team

A business is nothing without its team members. When building your team, you’ll have to mix and match three types of members.

1. Employees

Employees are full-time or part-time workers. Hiring employees comes with a slew of legal and tax responsibilities, such as paying payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, etc. If things don’t work out with an employee, you can’t just fire them so easily.

However, there are benefits to hiring employees, such as having reliable team members always available at set times. You also get more control over the work produced.

2. Contractors

Contractors are typically independent businesses themselves, so you won’t have any legal responsibilities as their employer (outside of what’s covered in your contract). You can hire them at will without a long-term commitment.

However, contractors are independent and not full team members, so you won’t have the same level of control over the work they produce. Plus, they may not be available when you need them — they have their own schedules and businesses to run, after all.

Contractors are useful for businesses that need specific deliverables, like graphic design, writing, web development, etc. But businesses that need operations run around the clock, like customer service, management, etc., will likely want to hire employees.

3. Vendors

Some businesses choose to outsource some of their work to third-party vendors. For example, you may choose to hire a third-party call center to field all your customer service requests or for on-site security. However, this is typically only required for larger businesses, so it’s something to keep in mind as you grow.

Grow Your Business

Once you’ve planted your business’s seed, you’ll need to water it so that it grows into a successful startup.

1. Develop a Marketing Strategy

Marketing is essential. Without it, no one will even know your business exists.

Marketing comes in many forms, from content marketing and PPC ads to email marketing. If you’re not familiar with these terms already, it’s a good idea to read up on them a bit.

However, to really get your marketing going in the right direction, you’ll likely want to hire a professional.

Related: 12 Marketing Strategies to Promote Your Local Business

2. Set Goals and Create a Growth Plan

Businesses rarely grow without goals. To ensure your business continues to evolve over time, it’s a good idea to set SMART goals — goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

What does that mean? Instead of setting a goal like “grow my business,” write something like “increase sales by 25% by January.” Now, your goal fulfills the smart criteria.

To build a growth plan, you simply outline a series of these sorts of goals for a period of one or two years. Typically, businesses divide this period into quarters, so you’ll ideally have eight goals for a two-year period.

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How to Start Your Own Business: Key Takeaways

Starting a business is a long and arduous endeavor.

But it’s also incredibly rewarding! Few things are as satisfying as seeing others enjoy your hard work and benefit from your products and services.

Really, what could be better than running your own business?

While there are no certainties in business, there is one guarantee: Whatever happens, you’ll learn a lot and grow as an entrepreneur. That much is certain.

About the Author : Ellice

Armed with 10+ years of experience in social (a lifetime in internet years), Ellice is DreamHost’s resident social media marketing expert. A native Angeleno, her passions include trivia, bunnies, bowling, and social justice for all.

How to Open an Online Business

Written by Kayla Carmicheal

I can’t count how many times I’ve come up with an idea and immediately said to my friends, «I should start a business!» I never do, but if I did, I know it would be online.

Plus, online shopping makes the experience easier for the customer since they don’t have to leave their homes to make a purchase.

Another reason I would open an online store is because it would be easier for me. I could use online management systems to execute business functions and set up an ecommerce website to take the place of a brick-and-mortar shop. Aside from physical inventory, almost everything I would need could happen from a computer.

I haven’t yet landed on the online business idea that will catapult me into success, but you most likely have, and are itching to get going. There’s only one problem: where to start.

Starting a business is a hefty and challenging endeavor. Here, we’re going to focus on how to start one that operates online. If you’re interested in starting an online business, we’ve got you covered with these six steps.

How to Open an Online Business

There are some fun aspects of building a business — like picking out a name, creating your branding material, and connecting with leads. On the other hand, there are some aspects that aren’t as fun, like applying for business permits and filling out tax forms.

Here, we’ll explore both the easy and challenging aspects of starting an online business.

1. Create and fine-tune a business plan.

First, you’ll want to create a business plan. A business plan maps out the details of your company. It should serve as the point of reference for information about what your business sells, its structure, and how it will be run.

Business plans generally provide the important factors of your company, including financial projections, legal documentation, and leases or permits. It’s useful for stakeholders, who should be able to picture every facet of your business with the plan. Additionally, it’s a helpful resource for you, since it makes sure you don’t leave any stone unturned when creating your business.

Before you get going, keep in mind these best practices as you work through it. These will make sure your business plan is effective.

Think about how your business sets itself apart from competitors. If your industry is marketing, for example, how will your online marketing services be a better choice than the competition?

You may have to do a competitive analysis to find out how your business will stack up against other online stores. This simply means figuring out the strengths and weaknesses of your competition, so your business plan is accurate and realistic.

When you explain your selling points, stick to simplicity. The plan will cover your bases, so you don’t need to write a 1,000-word essay in each section if you don’t need it. For instance, skip detailing your entire paid ads strategy in this plan — just include that you intend to have one.

Ultimately, a business plan should be a quick point of reference.

Finally, remember that your business will function solely online, so some factors of your business won’t apply to a brick-and-mortar, like rent costs. Frame your plan so that it’s based online.

For an in-depth tutorial of how to create a business plan for ecommerce in particular, this post has you covered.

You can also download this free business plan template. Follow this quick tutorial below if you don’t feel quite ready to write one yet:

To summarize, a business plan will explain your company, its goals, customers, and why they should care. It will also include your product line and services, plan to sell online, and your legal structure. Finally, this’ll provide financial projections and business goals.

Below is an example of a business plan template. Yours doesn’t have to look like this, however. Just include the information needed.

Next, we’re going to get into something that, I’ll be honest, isn’t that fun. Even so, this step is critical for your online store to be able to operate. What I’m alluding to is the legal process, which includes identifying and registering your legal structure, business name, and obtaining a business license.

2. Build your legal structure.

At this point, your business plan is done and looks incredible. Next, let’s go over how to make your online company legal. You’ll have to fill out some paperwork, apply for licenses, and complete tax forms, but first, let’s identify your legal structure.

There are four different legal structures, and we’ll go over the three that new businesses usually fall under. You’ll want to keep in mind the online tax laws for your state as you move through this section. (Note, this is for U.S. businesses only).

Tax information: The proprietor is responsible for every transaction. What that means is that your debts, liabilities, income, and losses are taxed on your personal income tax return at normal rates. You also are subject to payroll taxes and self-employment taxes on the money you earn.

Tax information: Partnerships are formed by registering your business through your state. You can do this through your Secretary of State office.

Tax information: LLCs benefit from a flow-through tax treatment. This means that the owners of the LLC are taxed, not the business itself, which makes taxes easier.

For more information on taxes and IRS tax forms, follow this link. Otherwise, now that you’ve identified your legal structure, you can file those forms and make your business structure legal.

Next, you’ll want to register a name.

3. Pick your business name and register it.

Have you picked out your name yet? That was probably the easiest part of starting your online business, right? Well, now you have to register it to make sure that your amazing name remains in your ownership.

First, make sure the name is available in your state for an ecommerce business, and obtain a trademark. These stipulations will protect your name from being stolen and make sure you don’t have the same name as another online store.

If your business is an LLC, your name will be registered when you register your business. If you are part of a smaller structure, however, you will have to register a «Doing Business As» name, which just distinguishes the owner(s) from the business name.

4. Obtain your business permits and licenses.

Here’s what you need to know about permits for an online business and why you need them. We’ll also include tax information to take note of. (Don’t worry, we’re almost through the legal side of things.)

To apply for a seller’s permit, visit the website of your state’s Department of Revenue. And don’t worry about an application fee, these permits are free to obtain.

U.S. businesses need an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and after you register for one, you’ll be able to see what taxes you’ll need to file. The three types of taxes you can be taxed for are Self-Employment, Employment, and Excise, explained above.

That was a lot of information; are you still with me? I hope you are, because that means you’re done with registering your online business with the government and have permission to operate legally. That wasn’t so bad, right?

So, you’re ready to be open for business! Now, let’s talk about getting that business. For online businesses, your online presence is key, and how you can begin to build your customer base.

You’ll need to find some sort of demand for your product before you can receive funding, so you’ll have to generate customers and keep them. For now, let’s talk marketing.

5. Plan how to market the business.

There’s a bunch of information on the internet about how to market an online business, but this section will focus on the essentials you should absolutely have, regardless of the software or platforms you use.

1. An Audience

If you don’t know who you’re marketing to, your marketing messages will be misguided. Who will be interested in your product?

You might have a general idea, like the location or age-range of your customer. Now, really flesh out your ideal customer if you haven’t already. Think of what makes them tick — their interests, challenges, goals, age, and, most importantly, their web behavior.

Additionally, you need to be knowledgeable about the social platforms your target audience frequents and why, so you can idealize how your store aligns with their online shopping habits. You also must know how your business will fit into their web routines so you can target the right people. Refer to this guide about how to identify your target customer with a buyer persona.

2. Online Brand Identity

A buyer persona is a fictional account of your ideal customer, and provides information about them that will help you frame marketing messages. Concurrently to finding your target customer, you’ll want to build your brand identity.

Brand identity defines how you want customers to feel when interacting with your business, and promotes your company values. What do you want customers to feel or think of when they think of your business? That’s what a brand identity conveys.

3. Social Media Accounts

Social media accounts will be the mascots for your brand identity. You can make them according to your brand colors, audience, mission, and values. For instance, let’s look at HubSpot’s Instagram and identify some brand themes:

What sticks out to you? Whether it’s the color orange, the sprocket logo, or the tagline — all these factors support HubSpot’s brand.

When you make social media accounts, stick to the platforms that support your business goals. This’ll focus your marketing efforts and make sure you’re engaging with your target audience. For instance, Instagram is a visual platform, LinkedIn is a networking channel, and Twitter and Facebook successfully support a mix of long and short-form text.

4. A Professional Website

Additionally, if you’re opening an online business, you’ll need to have a website or online store.

You must make sure your website is easy to navigate and make purchases. When you online shop, what are some features you notice on websites that you can implement on yours to delight customers?

Additionally, there are some website best practices to consider — like ensuring your website is mobile-responsive.

After purchasing a domain, you can build your website on your own, hire a web developer, or work with software that’ll help you set up your website. The design is up to you, but remember to keep the customer experience your top priority.

Some ecommerce software, like Shopify, provide templates for building an ecommerce website, which is useful because you can set up your website and shopping cart software at the same time. This is an in-depth tutorial on how to set up ecommerce on your website, it provides resources for how to make one that glows.

5. Online Selling Capabilities

After setting up your website, don’t forget to find software that’ll help you execute online marketing functions, such as email, conversion, and social media. To streamline these processes, look for an all-in-one content management system, like HubSpot, to keep you organized. Check that your website is compliant with all ecommerce laws, such as COPPA, and Payment Card Industry (PCI).

Once you’ve built your website, social media profiles, and have the necessary tools set in place, you can start generating leads. Lead generation defines the process of turning strangers into prospective customers. Successful lead generation methods keeps your sales options plentiful.

Want to know more about lead generation? We’ve got you covered with this lead generation ultimate guide. Pro tip: Some content management systems offer lead generation tools built into their product, so be sure the one you choose does to keep costs as minimal as possible.

Selling your products or services online

Remember those management software systems mentioned earlier? They’ll really come in handy when you set up your sales structure. They give you a homebase where you can keep client information.

Next, you’ll need to figure out your sales goals. The question you’ll have to answer here is, «How much do I need to make to keep running my business, and how much do I need to sell to earn that number?» You’ll need to do a little budgeting, and for some help there, check out this quick read on budgeting for small businesses.

You’ll also want to hire a sales rep. When you’re a small business owner, you have to think about the essential hires to make, and a sales rep is one of them. You need a person dedicated to understanding your customer and selling to them.

When you hire a sales rep, make sure they’re familiar with ecommerce practices and your audience. They should be able to follow the sales process you’ve put together. To cut down on the tedious tasks of the job, like data entry, you can automate sales tasks so your sales rep can spend more time focusing on other duties.

Be aware of web-specific laws, such as payment gateways and shipping restrictions. A payment gateway is a medium that authorizes credit card payments. For example, when you make a purchase online and see the types of credit cards supported, that’s a description of the payment gateways on that site.

Common ecommerce tools have payment gateways built into their system and support methods from PayPal to AmEx, so check to see what yours provides. When you choose payment gateways, go with the most common choices, such as major credit card providers and an app or two, like Afterpay.

After payments are processed, the product is ready to ship, so be conscientious about shipping laws. These are dependent on your product and your area, so go with a wholesale manufacturer or dropshipper that supports your product when you’re product sourcing.

(For instance, if you sell nail polish or alcohol, you might want to look outside of USPS, because they have restrictions on the shipping of those products). If you’re wondering how much you should charge for shipping based on what you have to pay for shipping, check back to this pricing strategy guide to make sure you and your customers are getting the best deals.

When analyzing your performance and sales, make sure you have analytics software downloaded, otherwise, you won’t be able to measure your success. This software monitors activity in your store and gives you metric reports that detail sales, time spent on your site, etc.

6. Set up your funding plan.

Small businesses need funding or some sort of capital in order to turn a profit consistently. If you can finance your business solo, or with help from friends, that’s called bootstrapping, and can eliminate the need to seek additional funding.

If, however, you need to look for additional funding, here’s the options for startup capital:

Investments can help you with different costs that are essential to running a business online, but too expensive for out-of-pocket purchases. For instance, you have to pay to ship out your products, and you need money for that. Also, a paid ad strategy gets your business out there online, but you might need extra funds to make a successful one.

Migrating your business online

If you find yourself in a place where you have to migrate your business to online, don’t panic. Instead, make a plan. Let’s go over some best practices for successful migration.

First, think about the practices you’re already performing online and how you can expand on them. For instance, do you already use software to help you manage sales? See what else that software offers to help you succeed online. You might not need to invest in extra tools to make the migration.

Next, make sure that your business has filed the necessary paperwork in order to sell online. Your state might require an extra licensure or tax for ecommerce.

Then, follow the steps needed to move to ecommerce. You might need to download an extension, like Shopify, to allow selling on your site. Refer to these resources on ecommerce practices to help you out.

Make sure to let your customers know about your migration and use your best customer service skills to help them navigate the changes. This will keep your customers coming back, even online.

Check your performance metrics to see how the migration is affecting your data. After you migrate, keep a close eye on them to figure out areas by which to improve your customer experience.

Most of all, be patient and calm. Migrating can be a tough process, but you’re not alone by any means. Take your time to provide the best experience for your staff and customers, and you’ll see success on the other side.

We’ve gone over everything you need to know about starting your online business, from business planning, to legal forms, marketing, and sales. I’m still working on my winning idea, but for now, you’re fully ready to get going on yours. Good luck!

Как открыть бизнес 如何开办企业 How to open a business? Пошаговый план 2022

Как открыть бизнес 如何开办企业 How to open a business? Предложим пошаговый план, как быстро начать, открыть и оформить международный торговый бизнес. Бизнес начинается с идеи. Следом идёт выбор ниши и рынка, выход на свою аудиторию и разработка предложений.

如何开办企业？ 我们将提供有关如何快速启动、开设和正规化国际贸易业务的分步计划。 业务始于一个想法。 接下来是选择利基市场和市场，接触观众和制定提案。

How to open a business? We will offer a step-by-step plan on how to quickly start, open and formalize an international trading business. Business starts with an idea. Next comes the choice of a niche and market, access to your audience and development of proposals.

Международные эксперты не только рассказывают и консультируют, но и сопровождают бизнес развитие на всех этапах — становятся партнерами вашего бизнеса.

Консультации по запуску международного проекта WhatsApp +79169906144

Начинающие бизнесмены задаются неправильными вопросами. Например: ”Как я могу начать бизнес, ведь у меня нет стартового капитала?” Или “У меня нет знакомых влиятельных людей, а без этого бизнес не начнешь.” или еще более банальный: “У меня нет высшего образования.” Такие вопросы только тормозят твой старт.

Руководство по открытию бизнеса

Главное правило — спрашивай совет у компетентных экспертов, которые не раз открывали собственное дело, их мнение вряд ли поставит тебя на правильный путь. Думаю, это и так понятно, ищи тех, кто прошел путь, который хочешь пройти ты, и поверь мне, у тебя все получится.

Зачем тебе это надо?

Ответь себе на вопрос: ”Зачем тебе это надо?” Если ответ: ” Хочу больше денег,”- ищи что-нибудь более значимое. Деньги- это всего лишь средство достижения целей.

Рассмотрим, какие шаги тебе нужно пройти, чтобы начать свой бизнес.

1. Проблема и решение

Важно понимать какую проблему я решаю. Решение проблемы клиента- это твоя инновационная идея, это ключ к клиенту. Ведь, если ты не решаешь никакой проблемы, то твой продукт или услуга никому не нужны, а значит никто не заплатит.

На этом этапе нужно определиться с тремя вещами:

Как найти идею для бизнеса

Вот пример: “В один жаркий день ты оказался на улице своего города и тебе захотелось мороженого. Но понял, что с мороженым здесь проблема, более того, местные жители были ли бы не прочь на одной из улиц наблюдать стильную палатку или передвижной фургон со вкусным мороженным, которое так кстати в жаркий день.”

Мы имеем…

Что происходит дальше? Ты, как будущий бизнесмен, начинаешь делиться своей идей с окружающими тебя людьми, так поступают многие, но не все.

Нужно ли делиться своей идеей?

Вдруг твою идею украдут и сами создадут такой же бизнес? Придумать и создать бизнес- это совершено разные вещи. Делиться идей можно и нужно, но слушать советы только тех людей, которые уже создали свой бизнес.

2. Тестирование

Допустим, ты определился с нишей, проблемой, которую можешь решить и даже знаешь, как это сделать. Теперь нужно твою идею проверить, проще говоря, нужно пройтись по потенциальным покупателям и узнать, действительно ли существует такая проблема, которую ты выявил.

И ещё, действительно ли твоя идея решит эту проблему?

Если во время тестирования твои догадки подтверждаются, тогда все в порядке, двигайся дальше.

Если оказалось, что для потенциальных покупателей такой проблемы нет или идея не решает их проблему, тогда возвращайся к шагу номер два.

3. Бизнес-план

На первом этапе тебе хватит мини бизнес-плана, который на 5-10 страницах опишет твой старт.

Стоит обратить внимание на этот шаг, и тебя ждет неимоверное преображение, новое понимание идеи.

Основные вопросы бизнес-плана

4. Регистрация бизнеса

Есть два варианта сделать все самостоятельно или нанять юридическую фирму, все зависит от твоих финансовых возможностей и наличия свободного времени.

5. Действуй

Не стесняйся корректировать направление своего развития относительно рынка. Следуй своей цели, делай, продавай, развивайся и становись лучше.

Паладьев Олег Николаевич

Паладьев Олег Николаевич – международный эксперт по вопросам глобального предпринимательства, и развитию внешнеэкономической деятельности https://wa.me/79169906144. Персональные консультации для собственников и руководителей бизнеса (стратегические сессии, коучинг, аутсорсинг). Предпринимательская практика с 1994 года.

Отзыв EternoGroup. Сыщиков Ю.В:

Работаем с ООО «Союзконсалт» больше года. Совместно и при поддержке реализовали проекты по импорту удобрения в Узбекистан. Консультировались по вопросам организации бизнеса в РФ, открытия счетов нерезидента.

Сотрудничеством довольны. Рекомендуем экспертную сеть, как надежного партнера.

Отзыв Южно-уральский химзавод. Поляков М.

В разгар кризиса пандемии, обратились к экспертам «Союзконсалт» за услугой поиска покупателей на нашу продукция (сульфат магния). Нам были предоставлена база покупателей, и помощь при проведении сделки, от консультаций по договору, до вопросов логистики и таможенного оформления.

Сэкономили время и бюджеты. Рекомендую.

Отзыв Кузбасуголь. Краснояров М.

Больше года назад заключили договор с ООО «Союзконсалт» на абонентское обслуживание по поиску иностранных покупателей. Базы новых клиентов постоянно обновляются. Налаживаем бизнес связи, проводим переговоры. Поиск поставщиков. Поиск покупателей. Отгружаем.

Оперативная и качественная работа экспертов. С Благодарностью.

Ready, Set, Startup Checklist: 20 Steps to Starting a New Business

Before you start your new business, here are 20 tasks to check off your startup to-do list.

By: Emily Heaslip, Contributor

As the world reopens, there are plenty of opportunities to launch a new business venture. Many believe the world’s economic future is bright: Positive post-pandemic momentum is building, making now a great time to consider taking your latest business idea seriously.

If you have a great idea, but you’re not sure where how to get it off the ground, start with this 20-point checklist. Here’s how to do everything from validating your concept to opening for business.

1. Test your concept.

Before you dive in, test your business idea to make sure it’s based on a valid market need. Perform competitive analysis to make sure your product or service doesn’t already exist. Find out if there’s a solid customer base who will want what you have to offer.

2. Build a business plan.

A business plan is necessary for when you apply for funding, as well as to guide your operations. The goal of your business plan, according to the Small Business Administration, is to:

3. Work on your sales pitch.

Hone in on what makes your business different from everyone else’s. When you’re just starting out, you must craft an elevator pitch that articulates what sets you apart and why investors and customers should care. A great sales pitch will explain what you do or sell, to whom and why in two to three sentences.

4. Find funding.

There are many sources of funding for new businesses. Some business financing options include:

Many entrepreneurs also bootstrap their venture using their personal finances or ask their friends and family for initial capital. Use your business plan to decide what option is right for you.

5. Decide on a business structure.

Sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC) or nonprofit: The way you structure your business entity has tax and liability implications. No matter which business structure you choose, if it’s more complicated than a sole proprietorship, you will need a lawyer to help set it up correctly. Consult an expert from the start to avoid any tax complications down the road.

6. Get the right licenses and permits.

Some businesses, like restaurants and cafes, need specific licenses to operate. Depending on where you operate and your industry, you may need several permits and licenses. Check this list from the SBA to find out what, if any, you need to procure.

7. Open a business bank account.

Even when you start a sole proprietorship, it’s critical to keep your business and personal finances separate. Open a separate bank account for your new entity to keep your cash flow organized and trackable for when it comes time to do your taxes.

8. Organize your accounting.

Anticipate tax time and set up your accounting system to make April that much less stressful. Organize your expenses and income into three categories: business income, inventory costs and other expenses (like payroll, rent and other overhead). Find and hire an outside accountant or buy an accounting tool to help you stay organized as you grow your business.

9. Develop your product.

Does your business idea revolve around a new product? Some entrepreneurs need help getting their concept made into a physical prototype. Work with a partner who can take your initial idea, work on a design and get it manufactured for distribution through a partner or online store.

10. File a copyright or patent.

Once you have a solid plan for your product or service, protect your intellectual property with a copyright or trademark. You can file to protect the rights to your company’s name, logo, content, creative ideas or original creations, in addition to a product design or service offering.

Build a business website that tells your story to build excitement before your grand opening and to help people learn about your product or service.

11. Decide where to sell.

There are many companies that launch online before moving into a physical retail space. Warby Parker, Glossier, Casper and Everlane are all companies that were founded as online-first retailers. Launching online can be a good way to keep costs down, but there are some serious benefits to having a brick-and-mortar location.

12. Negotiate a lease.

Should you decide to open a storefront, you will need to find real estate property. That usually means negotiating a business lease. Make sure you know how much space you need, carefully vet the neighborhood and read the contract thoroughly before signing.

13. Get the right insurance policies.

The insurance policies you need will depend on the size of your company (i.e., how many employees you hire) as well as your assets and liabilities. Here are a few policies you might need:

14. Set up a website.

Your website is crucial to help customers learn more about your brand. Build a business website that tells your story to build excitement before your grand opening and help people learn about your product or service. Even entrepreneurs who don’t intend to sell online need a website with their store hours, location and phone number, at a minimum.

15. Register your business.

New businesses may need to register with their state government, the federal government or may not need to register at all. Generally speaking, if you want to file for trademark protection or if you need a federal tax ID, you will need to register with the federal government.

16. Get the right tools.

When you’re just getting started, you don’t need a lot of fancy technology to start selling. But you do need some basics, like a POS system, wireless internet and telephone service.

17. Set up your social media channels.

Social media is how many customers discover new brands. Create Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles for your business. These platforms are where you can share news about your upcoming grand opening, launch your products and generate buzz.

18. Hire an employee.

If you have the budget, it’s time to bring an employee on board. Find someone you can trust to delegate part of the day-to-day operations so you can continue to focus on the big picture. This might be a manager, a partner or your first hourly worker who can oversee the store.

19. Advertise your grand opening.

Ready to meet your first customers? Make sure they know you’re about to open for business. Advertise your grand opening on your social media channels and in local media outlets, like your town newspaper. You might run an opening day discount or promotion to improve foot traffic or work with an influencer who can quickly spread the word about your brand.

20. Open your doors for business.

Congratulations, you’re ready to go. Good luck selling

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

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CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.

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