Small businesses (meaning those with 250 employees or less) are flourishing. In other words, they contribute to the growth of the economy — in addition to pioneering innovation and progress. As a small business owner, your role in the industry is important, but how are you supposed to compete and set yourself apart from your larger competitors? Tuwords recommends the following.
Stay on Top of Your Taxes
It might sound silly to mention this right off the bat, but it’s important that you stay on top of the basics — and that includes paying taxes on time. Late fees and penalties can easily cut into your cash, and when you’re starting out, you don’t want to find yourself coming up short when it’s time to pay the government their share. So make sure you have enough in the bank to cover these costs when the time comes! TLDR state taxes money your business makes, and so does the IRS. Make sure they receive their share in order to stay out of trouble!
Become More Knowledgeable
When was the last time you took a step back and focused on learning a little more? The Internet truly is your oyster. For example, there are wikis available to help you learn about almost any topic related to e-commerce, such as brand equity, advertising, search engine marketing (SEM), and public relations. Knowledge is power, and understanding what you want and how to achieve it is the first step. In addition to reading, consider taking things a step further and learning from the experts with an online business course on the topic of your interest/choice.
Focus on Customer Service
One of the big problems with larger companies is that it can feel like you’re unable to talk to a real person. Smaller companies tend to have a smaller clientele; thus, giving you the ability to truly reach your customers and provide an experience that will have them coming back. On the other hand, you may feel like you don’t have enough people to deliver the customer satisfaction you’re after. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Focus on the big items: listening, solving problems quickly, taking feedback to heart, and adapting to the changing needs of the customer. Implement tools to monitor customer satisfaction, too, such as social media, online forums, live chat, surveys, and help ticket systems.
Build Your Reputation
One of the many things you need to constantly work at is building your reputation. Your website says a lot about your company, and more than likely, it’s the customers’ first impression of you. Spend time upgrading your website by thinking about those things you like to see when you visit a page for the first time, such as quality content, social media links, a blog, a clean and eye-catching design, and a version that is compatible on both desktop and mobile devices. Tuwords has comprehensive web design, maintenance, and marketing services that can help you.
Make sure your branding identity is established and recognizable, too, as this will come in handy when you get more involved in the community to build brand loyalty and improve your overall reputation. No matter how good your reputation is, don’t forget to check out your reviews, as well as encourage customers to leave them. Research shows that most customers read four to six reviews before trusting a business.
Limit Overhead with a Home Office
Instead of paying hundreds or even thousands a month to rent office space, set up shop in your home. When designing a home office, make sure there is plenty of organized storage, updated equipment, and an overall method to the madness. Look to locate your office in a low-traffic spot in your home so you can work with limited distractions, and make sure you keep your office as neat as possible if you’ll be having clients and visitors stopping by.
Improve Your Efficiency
You’re a small business, which means fewer employees, making efficiency crucial. However, you don’t want to burn out, so you’ll need to take steps to improve efficiency that do not require overworking yourself or your employees. Automate anywhere and everywhere possible with software and outsource help in areas such as accounting, marketing, and social media. If you’re not sure if something can be automated, all it takes is a quick online search, and you’re bound to find software that can help — or at the very least, get some helpful tips.
Your business may be small, but it can pack a punch. Don’t let the big guys intimidate you! Just remember: Having a small business has its advantages such as the ability to quickly adapt, innovate, and respond, so you’re already one step ahead of your larger competitors. Ready to put your business’s best foot forward? Contact Tuwords now.
Article Courtesy of Chelsea Lamb