When it comes to starting up an online business, there is a myriad of things that you should consider. Putting together a budget is important, getting the correct insurance to cover you is important and so is hiring the right people – getting someone in to help you with hiring is often recommended.
Alongside these, there are a variety of essentials that you should also be considering. To start with, having an accounts package in place is essential as it will help you keep track of your finances. A website is a must as you can’t have an online business without a website and getting a good brand together is important, as this is how your customers will remember you.
Keep on reading for our guide on three things that are essential when starting up an online business.
Essential things when starting up an online business
Having an accounts package in place
Every business will require an accounts package! It is essential, as you’ll use it to track your income, expenses, and payroll and run reports on it. Your accounts package will be used by your accountant to help when filling your end-of-year books and it can also be connected to your payment software on your website. Here is how to connect Shopify and QuickBooks – this will help save you a lot of time!
Having a website created
Another essential that you will need when starting up an online business is a website – how can you be an online business without one, after all? Getting a website created is a lot easier and more affordable than it once was. You can give one a go yourself using a drag or drop builder, (if you are being careful with your budget) or you can hire a freelance web designer to build one for you. Those of you who have a large budget behind you may want to consider using an agency to build your website as they have plenty of experience and will have worked with a lot of companies to make their websites.
Your branding
Your branding is the heart of your business. It shows who you are as a company and is the thing your customers will remember most about you – we all instantly recognize McDonalds logo or Starbucks logo as an example. When starting up, it’s vital that you get in touch with a branding expert, to help put a brand together for you. They will come up with a logo, and your brand colors as well as help you with your marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, and business cards. Your website will be impacted hugely by your branding! Having someone come in to help you may be expensive, but the return of investment can be huge if done correctly.
What things do you think are essential when starting up an online business? Which of the above tips did you think helped you most? Is there anything missing in our guide that you think we should be adding? Let us know in the comment box below, we look forward to hearing from you.
