We all have great ideas for businesses and their products and/or services. But, a great idea only goes so far. You have to have a thorough plan of action to get the business ready and off the ground. Of course, you need a business plan and stable financial backing, but besides that, and the focus of this article, revolves around the aspect of marketing.
Here are some things to consider when it comes to marketing and your business.
First and foremost, you need a website. Your website will be the hub of knowledge and activity for your business, the home ground for any questions and answers customers/visitors may want to know about your product or service. Your website will host information, photos, FAQs, contact information, and more.
But when it comes to having a website, there are many factors that you have to consider. You need to know where you want your website to be hosted, if you want to use a templated site or use HTML/CSS, how you want your website laid out, the correct branding, which colors and typography you want to use… the list could go on and on. A key factor in answering all these questions is to hire a professional website designer. This designer can help guide you in the right direction after discussing with you what you want for your business. They are experts in their field and can point out directions you may have never even considered.
Besides getting the basics of a website set up, whether it be by hiring a professional or by working hard on it yourself, there are still a few more factors that go into getting you an awesome website. You will need to decide on professional photos that expertly promote your company, as well as a competent copywriter to make sure your content is creative, informative, and compelling. Plus, you should even consider getting a newsletter ready to go for when you are up and running. All of this and more can fall into the responsibilities of a website designer or website manager.
Once you have your website situation all figured out, it’s time to move on to setting up your company’s social media. Though you may think that your business doesn’t need social media, but you’d be wrong. Your Facebook page basically works as a second website, as people will find your Facebook page just as simply as your website, sometimes even looking for the Facebook page first. Instagram is another big platform, attracting younger viewers in a more visual way. A lot of the time, your business will seem more legitimate when you have well-branded and well-curated social media platforms.
After everything is all set up, it's time to dive into analytics. Make sure you have a variety of analytics set up so that you can see where all your traffic, clicks, and profits are coming from. You can use the metrics from a variety of different sources, but the most popular option is Google Analytics. You can see your social analytics through the platforms themselves or through any managing platform.
There are many more intricate details that go into starting the marketing aspect of starting a business. Plan, plan, plan, and make sure that there isn’t anything left up to chance. A website professional can help guide you in the right direction while keeping in mind your vision, while also keeping to the designated budget.
