10 Things Every New Business Needs Right Now
Becoming your own boss is exciting and scary at the same time. It can be super overwhelming knowing where to start and to be sure you’re checking off the right boxes. That’s why I’m sharing my list of the 10 things every new business needs right now— so you have clear CTAs to guide you and prepare you for success. These 10 items will help you streamline your process, set you apart as a new business owner, and make you more desirable to work with from the start.
If you want your business to thrive and succeed, it’s a good idea to implement these 10 things Every New Business Owner Needs from the very beginning.
1. Website
Your website should be one of the first things you implement in your new business. Your website will be the online storefront of your business and the main place your customers come to when they need you or to learn about you.
Visiting your website is one of the first credibility checks a person does when they’re considering purchasing from you. If when they go to Google you, your website doesn’t exist, you immediately lose credibility.
Decide on a business name (if you haven’t already) so you can quickly lock in a website domain and create a site online.
Your website doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be user-friendly, easy to find, and include the information people need to learn about you and what you do. In the beginning, even a simple landing page will do.
Where do I start?
Choose a website platform that suits your needs. It should be something you can start with quickly - and adapt as your business grows and evolves.
Our top picks are Squarespace and Showit. We’ve tried them both, but Squarespace has their blog INSIDE their platform instead of as a separate component (a true convenience). Add to that the fact they’ve now rolled out the drag-and-drop system, and we consider it a win-win.
Here are the benefits/features/cons of some of the most popular platforms out there:
1. Squarespace
user-friendly with templates to help you get up and running quickly
lots of online tutorials
loads of Squarespace experts out there that you can hire to help now or down the line
also great for e-commerce brands
2. ShowIt
Drag and drop
Easy to acclimate
NOT blog-friendly (This one gets a ding from us because blogging is done on a separate WordPress Site making it a bit of a hassle for big bloggers.)
3. Wix
probably the most “get up and going’ friendly type
lacking in SEO if you’re looking to bring in organic traffic
4. WordPress
Great for bloggers and seasoned code writers
Plugin updates will drive you insane
Lacking in SEO
Easy to break
5. Shopify
Best for E-commerce
6. Kajabi
Best for courses and educational content
2. Professional Email
This one falls under “credibility” as well. Your business email will be the address people use most often when they’re contacting you. And a professional email address will make a better first impression than an unprofessional one.
The truth is: As your business grows, you’ll eventually need to convert your email from a generic Gmail to a polished one, so why not do it now and save yourself the headache of switching down the line? (I wish I had done this so much sooner!)
I was against changing my email until Google created Gsuite and started offering a professional email service. It’s so WORTH it. For only $6/month, you can position yourself as a professional and benefit from lots of other Google workspace tools.
3. Scheduler
Stop annoying people with multiple emails just to book a call with you or get on your calendar. This practice is unnecessary with the existence of automated schedulers. PLUS, using a scheduler is one of the easiest ways to instantly look more professional and become more organized.
A scheduler is one of the easiest things to implement, and yet it’s often avoided by new (and sometimes seasoned) business owners, and we’re not sure why. Perhaps, people are intimidated by the system or reluctant to pay the additional monthly fee, but please don’t let these things deter you.
Often, you can start FOR FREE and then upgrade as needed.
1. Calendly
FREE for basic
2. Acuity
more features and capabilities than Calendly
also FREE for basic
3. SimplyBook.me
Offers a free trial
Plans for $ 9.90/month and up
4. Email Newsletter
Emails are so important, but most people aren’t ready to send out email newsletters early in their business. And that’s okay! Even if you’re not ready, set yourself up for success down the line. Pick an email program and start collecting emails now.
Why does it matter so much? An email newsletter is another way to stay in touch with clients and potential clients. It’s a great way to let people know about new products or services, upcoming events, offers, and other information.
The best part? You no longer have to rely on arbitrary social media algorithms. When you build up your subscriber list, you have yet another way to connect with your customers – one that actually works.
PLUS - if your social media were to go belly up, you’d have no way of notifying people. And it can happen. You don’t own social media, but you DO own your website and your email list.
Getting started can be FREE with programs like Mailchimp or Google Docs. Later, you can systemize when you’re ready.
Our Recommendation: Flodesk
We think it’s SO beautiful and easy to use!
Use our link to save 50% off your first month or year
5. CRM / Project Manager
CRM stands for customer relationship management and it’s a must-have for any business. A CRM is basically a way to keep track of your clients/leads and their needs, experiences, and feedback.
You can’t plan to do everything manually for long. A CRM helps you stay organized when things get crazy – so you don’t go crazy.
If we could only ever recommend ONE client management program again for service providers, it would be Dubsado. Hands down. This nearly all-in-one system will get and keep your business functioning smoothly by managing and tracking, well, everything.
For project management, we also love ClickUp, Asana, and GQueues (new to the game but part of Google!). Organize yourself and your team and communicate with clients through programs like this.
Whichever CRM you choose, it should be able to help you track clients, tasks, invoices, contracts, workflows, appointments, and more, so you can provide better service to your customers.
6. Business Insurance
Protecting yourself and your assets is important for any business owner. However, many entrepreneurs overlook business insurance, thinking it isn’t something they need. But you NEED to make sure you have the right insurance policies in place.
Talk to an insurance agent and find out which types of policies they recommend for your business. You’ll have to consider things like your budget, how much coverage you want, and the amount of risk your business presents. Major insurance companies, like Progressive, All-state, and Geico, all offer commercial coverage for business owners, as well as specialty business insurance providers like The Hartford or Hiscox. It’s a good idea to ask your current insurance provider first and then compare coverage, rates, and customer satisfaction ratings to make your choice.
7. Contracts
We’ve all heard the old saying, “Trust, but verify.” While you should trust the people you work with, clients, and employees, you also need to verify that everything is as it should be. A contract is a great way to do this.
A contract is a legally binding agreement between you and another person or company. It outlines everything you agree to – payments, deadlines, services, etc. – and is an easy way to protect yourself in case something goes wrong.
If you’re trying to save money, there are lots of small business contract template shops online to help get you started.
8. Business Bank Account
If you’re just starting out, you might be using your personal bank account for your business’s finances. But that’s a bad idea for a couple of reasons:
It’s not fair to use your personal finances when you have a business to operate.
It’s not safe.
It’s a hell of a mess come tax season.
Your business needs its own bank account so you can keep your finances separate from your personal ones. A business bank account will also make it easier to get business loans, allowing you to expand your business if you choose to in the future.
9. Payment Processor
If you’re planning on accepting payments online, you’re going to need a payment processor that is safe and secure enough for your clients to trust. Your payment processor is responsible for collecting payments from clients and depositing the money in your business bank account. As part of this service, you’ll be charged a certain percentage of each payment that goes through their system.
10. Bookkeeping Software
Tracking finances is one of the most important things you’ll do as an entrepreneur. You don’t have to be an accountant to do it, but you do need to know where your money is going.
How much are you spending on ads?
What are your most profitable services?
How much are you spending on overhead each month?
What’s even going on with your taxes?
It’s… a lot. Luckily, there are tons of software options out there for keeping track of finances:
1. QuickBooks
the gold standard for bookkeeping software, but it’s also the most expensive at $40-$80 per month.
2. Google Sheets
Works in a pinch, but is not designed to be a full-scale business accounting solution.
3. Freshbooks
great for the new business owner: inventory tracking, invoice management, and more.
*BONUS: Backblaze
Backblaze is an online backup service that does all the work for you. It offers storage for multiple harddrives and devices, creating a streamlined and secure backup service that you can use at any time. The best part, it’s easy to use and exceptionally low cost. You can set it and forget it, meaning that you will never have to worry about losing critical data again. It’s extremely reliable and offers some of the best service around. Plans start at just $5 per month.
Don’t put this off. Start backing up your computer and saving now. Backups are critical for both new and established businesses. You never know when an unfortunate event will occur that takes your computer or server out of commission. Whether it’s a storm, cyber-attack, or accident, it can take hours or even days to get back up and running.
You’ve got this.
Starting a business can be challenging, especially in the early stages, but taking the right steps now to protect your time and energy will ensure you have enough left over to pursue your business goals.
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