It is not unusual for a business to start by someone with a particular skill set, performing side jobs with the hopes of acquiring enough customers turning it into a full-time enterprise. In fact, most small business owners start in this manner. While this format poses several challenges for your start-up, it is a great way to self-fund.
The process to make side jobs into a full-time business can be long and strenuous. Regardless of what kind of service or product you are providing, at some point, to attain more customers, you have to think about the credibility and professionalism of your company.
What can you do to make your business look more professional?
When I first started my business, I did a few simple, cost-efficient things, which made my business look-like a well-established company. Yet, it was only three months old. Here are a few, economical ideas that will fit anyone’s budget.
Create your own website
This is a no-brainer. You can create a simple, one-page website for nearly nothing. I use Bluehost, it is inexpensive and very reliable. I have used many different hosting companies, and Bluehost has proven to be one of the easiest ones to deal with. Keep in mind that unlike other hosting companies, if you choose Bluehost, you are deemed to use WordPress as your platform. Though it is a fairly easy platform to learn, there is a learning curve that could take time to master.
Another feasible option is to use do-it-yourself website companies. I suggest Weebly. They offer several plans, starting free. It is easy to use and you can create some astonishing websites. This platform is not as flexible as WordPress, but it is a technology that is growing and increasingly becoming more powerful.
Despite the service you choose, when creating your site, be sure to add a section where you talk about yourself. Another important factor is to have your contact information in a conspicuous location on the site. If you are a service provider, add your phone number to the header of the site.
I have written about websites with more details here. Check it out.
During this process, I highly suggest purchasing your own domain, to where you can set up your email using that particular domain, which leads me to the next point.
Email Setup
Gmail, Yahoo, and all other forms of free services are great for personal, but when it comes to your business you want something more robust. Let’s be honest, having an email address using your domain gives your business immediate credibility.
The plus side of having Bluehost is that provides you with an infinite number of email. Though I have Bluehost for all of my sites when it comes to email services, I prefer using the Zoho platform. It is free, up to five emails, and comes with several free apps as well. I have been using their services for a decade now, and it has been very reliable.
One great advantage to have emails with your own domain is that you can create several addresses (contact@yourdomain.com, sales@yourdomain.com, billing@yourdomain.com, etc.) If you are using Zoho, the greatest advantage is that you can have all of those emails dropping into one inbox, and they can be replied with whichever one you prefer.
Logo
Regardless of the company you are running, create a logo for it. If you choose not to use a logo, you should at least write the name with a font that will be used as a logo. Not many people are creative to do a DIY logo and such. The internet has enabled people from all over the world to provide you service. Sites like Fiverr allows you to get a logo done for very little. A well-designed logo will undoubtedly give you a layer of professionalism looks.
Social Media
Social media has been increased its presence amongst the population. As it continues to grow and evolve, businesses must adapt, and increase its presence in those platforms.
Posting pictures of your products or services will increase visibility and credibility. It is also a great business procedure as you can direct your future customer to your social page to check out what you can do. Social networking has worked out great for my business, as I have a portfolio ready to be viewed at any time.
Phone Number
The phone number is by far my favorite option. Phone.com is an incredibly great and affordable service. The company offers three different services, but you can select a local or toll-free number. Even the cheapest plan, which runs about $8/month, offers a variety of features such as:
- Call queuing
- Voicemail to email
- Auto-attendant
- Fax to email
- Call routing
- Hold music
- Text message
You can set up your phone to auto-answer, “If you are calling for scheduling, please press 1… for accounting, please press 2…” Different options will forward the calls to different phone numbers. In my small construction business, when someone selected accounting, the call was transferred to my wife’s cell phone. Similarly, if someone requested a service, the call would be forwarded to me.
P.O. Box
Many small businesses start at home. Do not use your home address for business purposes. Anyone can pull up your house and come pay a visit anytime. Go to a postal office or UPS Store and rent a PO Box. The UPS Store has more functions than a USPS postal box. It provides you with a full-service physical address where you can receive anything, including large shipment boxes, this is not the case for USPS. Further, you can drop off paychecks to your contractors or employees; this comes handy if your workers work in the field.
Hand-out Material
Right, the very first thing that comes to mind is business cards. Yes, cards are a crucial part of legitimacy and a tool that assists getting your name out. But another factor, that is often overlooked by many, are flyers promoting your product or sales. As we rapidly move more towards a digital world, we often tend to forget the benefits of print material. Depending on the industry, your clients might still heavily depend on print-outs. Also, many stores allow you to place your materials free of cost. For instance, if you are a painter, Sherwin Williams allows you to leave cards and business flyers at their store. That’s free adverting!
Unless you are a creative person, do not attempt to DIY on flyers and cards. You can visit sites like Fiverr and pay as little as $5 to have someone professionally create your material. You can also use places such as Vista Print or Overnight Prints to have your cards done professionally.
Company T-Shirts
It is not as expansive as you might think it is. Some companies require minimum orders, making it difficult for a small business, just starting up, to attain. However, companies such as Queensboro can make a single polo shirt for around $20, plus shipping. While that amount might be too much for someone just starting, it is a reachable amount that can be easily obtained by abstaining from Starbucks coffee for a couple of weeks.
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