Running a successful business takes a lot – there’s many plates you need to keep spinning and lots of smaller tasks that all need to come together so your company works in harmony.
Here are 7 things you should be sure to get right if you want to succeed!
1. A Professionally Designed Website.
There are so many advantages of a good company website, and as a business it’s one of the most crucial things to get right. An abundance of research has shown that a well-built websites generates more sales and better customer traffic- which both help to make a business more successful. Issues like slow loading times, error pages, even the wrong colors and fonts can look clumsy and could all be putting people off. Find a trusted web designer, they’ll know that your site should look aesthetically pleasing but without putting style over substance.
2. A Card Reader.
Cash is history, research has shown time and time again that people in the modern world prefer to pay on card (and contactless payments like Apple/ Android pay). You will need to be able to accept card as a form of payment from your customers. A card reader allows you to take secure payments in person, and transforms your iPad or smartphone into a card machine. This allows your business to grow and expand as you’re not missing out on potential customers. Even if you mainly do business online, this is still an important thing that you could be missing.
3. A Well Written Blog.
Writing a business blog has been shown to be highly beneficial for your company. It boost your page rank, and the closer your business ranks to the top of searches, the more sales and profits you’re likely to make. It’s free, and a straightforward technique for promoting your business. Blogging shows that time, effort and care has been invested into your business, and it can also help to build followers and show that you have knowledge/ authority in your field.
4. A Responsive and Interesting App.
It’s no longer enough for your website to just be adequately optimized for different devices (although it still should be, of course). To take it a step further, you need an app. This is a way to get your business onto the phones of your customers and potential customers. All of your information, products and contact details are accessible at the click of a button. Plus it makes you look more trustworthy and legitimate which is what customers want from a business. You will likely need to invest in the services of an app designer, research companies and services before deciding on who you’d like to use.
5. Cloud-Based Systems.
The cloud has changed everything in the business industry. This is a network of online servers which allow people to carry out tasks through the internet, and is already used for a huge majority of tasks which we do online today. The cloud is no longer just used for backing up data, accounting, and sharing documents. For example, if your business is product-based it can now be part of your production process too. A managed service provider platform is used for things like network-based services, applications, and equipment. It means you can integrate your brand into a marketplace which is fully customizable. Doing this allows the client to access a marketplace, to use the MSP products and services twenty-four hours a day.
Many business management softwares are now cloud-based too. For example collaboration software will help to improve your company’s teamwork. Help desk software and email marketing software are also useful and again cloud-based. These kinds of programs are essential, since they provide consistency and also reduce labor costs. It means you can put your staff to their best use, rather than have them do mind-numbing repetitive tasks (or employing someone else to do these tasks). As a business owner, you need to be taking full advantage of the cloud as it has the ability to help you run and manage everything more efficiently.
6. A Well Thought Out Marketing and Social Media Strategy.
Regardless of what your product is and who you sell it to, using social media as a marketing tool can help you grow your brand awareness. It’s not just an added extra and is instead something that needs to be an integral part of your company’s digital marketing approach. It’s free to use and is twice as effective at leading to sales than traditional outbound marketing. A good social following makes you look reliable to customers and provides them with another point of contact. You can have more interaction with your customer base, and get to know what makes them tick. This information could even give you ideas for your marketing strategy.
Make sure all of your social media accounts are linked on an easy to spot place on your website. All of your accounts should be run effectively, getting a social media manager on board your team could be a good move. Using it right will build your relationship with customers. It will make you look more reputable, boost your website with Google and so much more. Software like Whatagraph can simplify areas of your marketing and make results easier to understand at a glace.
Hardworking Employees.
It goes without saying that if you look after your employees, they will look after your clients and customers. Treating your staff well is a proven way to boost the success of your business; start by offering them the right level of pay, and provide them with employee benefits which make your company desirable to work at. Providing them with a good working space is essential too. Your office should be visually pleasing with good equipment. Things like modern computers, software and phones are all things will make their job easier. Supportive computer chairs and furniture that’s set out in a way which makes sense.
For example, desks should be close to windows since it’s been shown that natural light boosts workers productivity and makes workers happier. Depending on the nature of your business, you could have collaborative group work areas as well as separate desks for phone calls and work done individually. Spend some time considering your office space and your employees needs. This will keep them happy so they will work more efficiently for you.
