The first times of your life are indeed the most memorable ones. The first day at school, the first taste of ice cream, your first fist fight, experiencing your first snow, your first Halloween costume, your first child, and even your first kiss, perhaps. All these have an extraordinary impact on our lives that we try to look back and reminisce at some point. Honestly, good memories never fade.
And yet, we can still make a lot of first times in our lives. Our first trip, perhaps our startup business, our first boat ride, or even our first baseball game. Speaking of a startup business, ever wondered how well-known entrepreneurs started? How did they end up where they are now? What are the things that they do or the tools that they used to establish their business?
As memorable as they can be, first times can also be challenging times simply because you have no idea of what you’re going to do, especially if you decide to start a new business. Sure, you may be given some tips and advice from people in the industry that you know, but knowing what tools you need to start a business will surely give you the edge. Here are the best tools to create your entrepreneurship journey.
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1. Business Idea
Source: theforbiz.com
Every great success starts with an idea, and it begins within you. Cliche as it may sound, an idea can lead you to where you want to be. For example, starting a business and generating ideas as to what your business would be is necessary. It is the beginning of everything. What ideas should you consider, and what should you discard?
Good question. The best thing you can do is to make a list of everything that you are passionate about. Go on. Write down all the things you are good at like baking or sports or if you’re into communications or sales, write it down. Honestly, you only need a pen, paper, and extensive brainstorming to achieve this. The next steps will help you sort things out.
2. Create Your Business Plan
After you have an idea of what business you want to start, the next thing you need to do is to create an extensive plan on how you’ll put into reality those ideas. Here, it would help if you consider every factor concerning your startup business. It may include plans about the materials you’ll need, finances, the number of employees, a business website, business software, and more.
You can also utilize various online business planners, including web hosting, financial reports, and even customer review software. Weave can give you the best customer review software there is, which can help you build your startup business.
3. Create Your Website
Source: createyourwebsite.co
Most customers nowadays heavily rely on the internet. If you are a startup business owner crawling its way into the internet world, consider making a website for your business. It will help you a lot. To do this, you need web hosting. Web hosting allows individuals or companies to post their websites or web pages on the internet.
A web host service provider will then give you the technologies and services – like a website address or domain, to display your website on the internet. Potential customers who will search for your business online are going to be redirected to your website.
4. Customer Review Software
As stated above, customer review software can make your business dealings more manageable and with less hassle. Utilizing review management software can get the job done. It can even put you on top of Google searches! One function of review management software is that it will request your customers to leave a review, and the more reviews, the better!
For example, Google recognizes those businesses that respond to customer reviews, and by doing this, you can be the top website on any Google search related to your business! Remember, online customer reviews are essential for your business’ growth. Consider it as building blocks of your online reputation and presence.
5. Business Licenses
Source: yelp.com
For your business to operate, you need to secure business permits and licenses from your area. This is not a want but a need. If you want to establish a business, get those permits now. The requirements for such vary from state to state; that’s why you need to familiarize yourself with those requirements and little by little acquire them.
However, gathering the requirements to secure your business permit and other licenses sure is taxing. One way to minimize hassle is to contact your city’s business license department and ask for the list of requirements needed. These requirements may include a state license, permits from the fire department, air and water pollution control, and more.
Besides, you can always avail of business licensing services like LicenseSuite to simplify your business licensing processes.
6. Know About Business Credit Scores
Business credit scores are not the same as your personal credit score. Your business credit score is linked to you through your Tax ID Number; this is what the government uses to give your business its appropriate tax. Your personal credit score, on the other hand, is tied to your Social Security number.
Using the tools Bplans and Nav, for example, can give you a free pass to discover further your business credit score. Having enough knowledge about these things can undoubtedly help you improve the way you handle your business.
7. Establish Your Brand
Source: goodbarber.com
One way of establishing your brand is creating something unique to you and, at the same time, captures your business entirely. Creating a distinctive slogan is one. A quirky business name, perhaps? Probably the best way to start is by having your unique brand logo. A business logo is a way to go, and all businesses have one!
Creative platforms such as 99designs can give just what you asked for. They design brand logos, graphic designs for your web, and even t-shirts! A profitable business should always have these things because it is one way to outshine competitors.
Takeaway
Starting something for the first time will undeniably take its toll when you realize that you have no idea what to do or what tools to use. Remember that you can always seek help, and help will always find you. Try to consider the tools listed above to start your dream business, and who knows; maybe you’ll need it.
