Starting a small business can feel like an uphill struggle in the early days. There are many things to organize and manage, as well as a strict budget to make sure that you are adhering to. But one of the things that you need to think about as you launch your business, is launching it right. Because you never get the chance to make a second first impression. So right from the start, it is best to launch things well, so that it can be launched professionally. You will be taken more seriously if it is launched in a professional way, and then you can start off in the right way, with customers rolling in.
But what should you be doing to be taken seriously, and to make your business look professional and trusted? Here are some examples to be thinking about.
Smart Website
In this day and age there is no getting away from the fact that you need to have a website. With the majority of people being online, it is the way that they are going to find out about you, see what you offer, find your social channels, and even buy from you. So to start off with, having a website is a great starting point for potential customers. You can keep it simple if needed, but make sure contact details are on there, as well as reviews of your business, and the products or services that you offer.
Business Phone Number
It can feel a little untrustworthy to simply have a cell phone number as the point of contact or business inquiries. Which is why it is a good idea to have a business phone number. It looks better, and certainly looks more genuine and trustworthy. The good news is that getting one, even a toll-free one, can be pretty inexpensive. You could also look into a virtual reception, where someone external will take calls for you and filter them through. It can help with the workload, as well as making the business look even more professional and genuine.
Professional Email
Like with a phone number that is just a cell phone number, if your email address is a regular address (like a Gmail or Hotmail account), then it can look pretty suspicious and not very trustworthy. In fact, there have been studies that have shown how untrustworthy customers find it. So get a professional email address, that hopefully, lines up with your website address. It will make sure that your business looks much more professional and trusted.
Social Media Channels
Being on social media is a must these days. It helps to build an audience, gets your name out there, and can be used for questions, customer interaction, and customer service too. So it is really important. You don’t have to be on all channels that are out there. But it does help to be on at least two channels (like Twitter and Instagram), and update them regularly, for a professional and genuine approach for your business.