There are so many things to do when starting up a business. Where do you begin?
Is there a logical order you should follow?
If so, what's first?
Indeed, there is an order to follow when starting up your online business. Follow this sequence to keep you on track . . . and for peace of mind.
First 10 Steps to Starting Up a Business Online
1. Get help. First things first. Don’t try to go it alone. Hire a home business coach, contact SCORE, or join a mastermind group focused on starting up a business.
2. Gather your people. Make sure you have a group of people around you who understand what you are doing and know how to offer support without telling you what to do.
3. Decide on the focus of your business. You must be absolutely sure about the focus of your business and be passionate about it. It is this passion and conviction that will sustain you through the dark moments of doubt and confusion when no one believes in you but yourself.
4. Figure out who your niche market is. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a persona of your perfect client or customer. Then develop an action plan for connecting with them.
5. Develop a viable product or service. Create 2-3 products at different price points that will entice website visitors to buy.
6. Put together a business plan. The most important reason to have a business plan is to guide and clarify your business direction. Make sure you have one.
7. Hire a professional to design and implement your website. Unless you have the design chops to put a website together, don’t try to skimp on money here by doing it yourself. You want a website that looks professional and is optimized with the actual keyword phrases that your niche market is searching with.
8. Build your mailing list. Rarely do people buy, right off, when they come to your home page. So create a special report, PDF, audio CD, or video that you will give away for free when website visitors opt-in to your mailing list.
9. Create a business blog. Make it an extension of your business that further connects you to your niche market. Plan to post 4-5 times a week and put into place an editorial calendar that focuses on four main subjects each week.
10. Brand your business. Branding means increasing the public’s awareness of your business name and logo and creating an image that inspires loyalty and trust in your niche market.
2. Gather your people. Make sure you have a group of people around you who understand what you are doing and know how to offer support without telling you what to do.
3. Decide on the focus of your business. You must be absolutely sure about the focus of your business and be passionate about it. It is this passion and conviction that will sustain you through the dark moments of doubt and confusion when no one believes in you but yourself.
4. Figure out who your niche market is. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a persona of your perfect client or customer. Then develop an action plan for connecting with them.
5. Develop a viable product or service. Create 2-3 products at different price points that will entice website visitors to buy.
6. Put together a business plan. The most important reason to have a business plan is to guide and clarify your business direction. Make sure you have one.
7. Hire a professional to design and implement your website. Unless you have the design chops to put a website together, don’t try to skimp on money here by doing it yourself. You want a website that looks professional and is optimized with the actual keyword phrases that your niche market is searching with.
8. Build your mailing list. Rarely do people buy, right off, when they come to your home page. So create a special report, PDF, audio CD, or video that you will give away for free when website visitors opt-in to your mailing list.
9. Create a business blog. Make it an extension of your business that further connects you to your niche market. Plan to post 4-5 times a week and put into place an editorial calendar that focuses on four main subjects each week.
10. Brand your business. Branding means increasing the public’s awareness of your business name and logo and creating an image that inspires loyalty and trust in your niche market.
What do you think about the order of these 10 steps? Would you put branding before building your mailing list? Or would you suggest creating a blog before a website? Let us know your thoughts!
Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
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