Starting an online business is easier than ever. There is a long list of platforms and online how-tos that can help get you moving in the right business direction, taking you from ideation to online business owner in as little as a week. And starting a new business can be pretty fun and exciting.
There are, however, a few critical tips you simply can’t skip or ignore if you want an online business to grow and be as successful as you envisioned. No matter what kind of online business you want to start, the following four tips should be part of the process. Let’s dive in!
1. Set up your business legally
This is a critical first step in launching your first entrepreneur business because there are legal guidelines and tax issues that can arise if you skip this step. So what does setting up your business legally mean? Well, it is pretty simple.
First, you need to form a Limited Liability Company for your business. It’s a pretty painless business must, and you can find professional LLC services online with excellent ratings and reviews.
Next is to get your business banking in place. As a new entrepreneur, this may be overlooked, but it definitely should be priority number one. Having business banking accounts allows you to keep expenses separate, write off expenses on taxes, and help you build your business credit.
Related: How to Start a Streaming Music Business: Building an App Like Spotify
2. Communicate the solution to the problem you are solving clearly
This is maybe one of the most important tips to put into action when starting an online business. By clearly defining the problem or need you aim to solve or fill, you are developing the foundation of your business. This is a must-do, because everything you do, from marketing your business to setting up buyer personas will be based on this one tip for starting an online business.
How do you clearly define the problem or need? First, look within, since you may have come up with this business idea based on a problem or need you had. Next, turn to the internet to communicate with people in forums and social media groups, do keyword research to see monthly search volume, and look at competitors.
3. Develop a very easy to follow buyer journey
This is another very important tip for starting an online business. Content is still very much king, and if you know how to write compelling copy that takes your target audience on a customer journey, you will find yourself with a robust customer base in no time at all.
How do you do this exactly? One of the biggest mistakes new business owners fail to do is to tell their stories. People want a connection with the brands and businesses they buy from now, so let your audience in by telling them the story of how you got your business idea. Then you use that story to lead the audience on a cleverly crafted customer journey.
The basic map of a customer journey includes piquing interest (your story), defining the problem or need, offering your solution, showcasing your authority to solve the problem or fill the need, highlighting testimonials, giving the benefits, showing the offer, having a guarantee, and ask urgently for the purchase.
4. Don’t forget about the importance of engaging with customers online
When starting an online business, you need to ensure your online presence is powerful, because it is basically your storefront. Would you shop at a store that looks hideous inside and out? Probably not, and the same goes for your website since it is your storefront. Aesthetics are not the only issue either.
You also need to provide a strong user experience in order to keep your customers engaging with your site, products, and/or services.
To do this, you need a website planning guide for optimal growth and success. Building a new website is pretty easy these days, but there are still a ton of obstacles to overcome if you want to launch a stellar site. Factors like font, colors, white space, easy navigation, visual content (images and videos), opt-in call to action (CTA), simple checkout, and much more.
Wrapping Up . . .
The above 4 online entrepreneur business tips are only the starting point. There are a lot more little nuances to growing your online business into a thriving success. However, the above are a few of the most important and tips you simply can’t skip. If you do, your journey as a business owner can be more difficult. What is your top business tip? We want to hear from you.
