Today, I will continue on with a list of suggested steps that you can take towards opening a home-based business. If you have not already done so, it is a good time to name your business. I’m one of those people that loves naming things so I would probably have done that as soon as I decided what kind of business to have but I know that not everyone is as obsessed with naming stuff as I am.
Naming your business and deciding on a business structure go hand in hand. If you choose certain types of business formations such as a corporation, LLC, or partnership there may be rules that require that you use words to describe your business structure as part of your business name. For example, a limited liability company (LLC) will have the word LLC at the end of its name. Choosing a good name for your business is important because you want it to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue.
When you think of a good name, make sure that someone else is not already using it for their business. Do a Google search for your proposed name and see whether anything comes up. Also, you can check at the United States Patent and Trademark Office web site to see whether anyone is using the name already. Hopefully you will find that the name you want is yours for the taking. If you will be using the internet as part of your business, why not buy your domain name now too.
After you have chosen your business form and name, it is time to get the word out about your business and secure your very first customers. A marketing plan and a customer service strategy are important tools for deciding how to promote your business and how to keep customers coming back time after time. Take a little time to look over the information in your business plan about the market, your competitors, and your prospective customers. As you read through those things, think about what forms of advertising come to mind. You have a lot of options but you need to choose forms of advertising that will be effective.
Choose from print advertisements, blogs, social media, email, TV, radio, online advertisements like banners and pay per click ads, and more but be careful to choose wisely to get the most out of your advertising budget. Once the advertising is in place, think about how you will care for your customers and provide them with service that will make your business stand out from the crowd. Write up a customer service plan and an advertising plan for your reference so that you do not forget or go off track with those things once the business is up and running.
You are doing great so far and it is almost time to open your doors for business. Stay tuned for a few more suggestions on how to get your home-based business from dream to reality.