Top ways to grow your business

Image credit: Scott Graham from Unsplash

The new year has officially begun which means it's time to think about your business year ahead. We have declared 2021 to be the year businesses make a comeback and and thrive, businesses all over the globe have struggled to keep going, if you are one of the lucky ones that have managed to stay open over the last year then well done, it's now time to start planning to grow and run your business successfully throughout the year ahead.

Make Or Revise Your Business Plan
Every business should have a business plan in place, if yours hasn't been updated or reviewed in a while then take the time to check in and see if you are still on plan. If you are a new business looking to start writing your plan then there are many templates online that you can use. When writing your plan have a time period in mind, whether it be a 1 year, 5 year or 10 year goal this will be helpful to keep you on track to achieving your aims and objectives. Keep reviewing your plan every 6 months to see if your values or end goal has altered. 

Grow Your Online Presence
It is essential for any successful business to have an online presence in 2021, so if you don't already it's time to think about creating a website and / or social media pages for your business. If you already have a website then you might want to consider rebranding or upgrading. Think about what kind of website your business needs. Many businesses use basic websites to display information about their company, and don’t need much more than that. Or, you might need something more dynamic, so make sure you think this through. Ensure your website is optimised for all device types and is easy for customers to navigate.

If you are planning to optimise your site, then you need to make sure that you are using the right SEO service. For instance, if you are running a software business, then you need to explore SEO for SaaS companies. A service like this will guarantee that you don’t slip into any negative tactics.

Once your website is up to scratch, it's time to set up your social media accounts. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the leading social media platforms. Choose one or two main platforms to focus on, having too many accounts running at once can be overwhelming and hard to keep track of. When your social media accounts are up and running you can start using the advertising tools they offer. They allow you to target specific, ages, genders and areas, which will help guide the right customer to your site.

Alternative Ways To Grow Your Business ​Although a large percentage of people now operate online, there is still a significant amount of people who either do not have access, cannot afford it, or simply do not know how to navigate their way online. For this reason, if you are looking for ways to grow your business, it would be beneficial to think about the alternative paths you can explore. Not only will this avenue open up doors that online advertising won't, but some of the marketing strategies can be a lot more simple to implement too.

In the past, one of the best ways to advertise, and grow your business to a vast majority of people would be to hire a space on a billboard. These old-school billboards are now becoming used less and less, not because they are not bringing in new customers, but because they are being replaced by Digital Signage From Display Screens. Thanks to technology you are now able to advertise to the same amount of people as if you used a billboard, however, the information that you display will be many times brighter, more vibrant, and therefore eye-catching to the viewer. Not to mention that you can now incorporate movement in the displays, and put out a lot more information than if it was simply a still picture.

So, if you want to grow your business, make sure to consider all of your options, not just the online ones, or you might just miss out on a bunch of opportunities.

Think About Location 
When running you business location is key, if you are a physical business then you might want to be positioned within a busy highstreet so you get organic walk in traffic. If you are located down a side street it might be hard for your customers to find you so ensure you are somewhere more prominent. If your business is online you might not think that location is important, however people have preconceived ideas about the status of a business based on their location.  A great way for you and any team members to collaborate, or for you to meet with current and potential clients, is to look into a suitable coworking space so that you’ll have the flexibility to utilize it when needed. If you are looking to expand where you conduct business you should get a CBD virtual office to help you grow your business outside your usual area. By setting up a few virtual offices will help you gain customers from all over the world. 

Set up a warehouse
As your company begins to grow, so will the demand for the products you have on offer. For example, if you work in the health industry, you’ll see demand for popular products like pharmacy blister packs increase. As a result, it's important that you are able to meet this increase in demand as swiftly as possible, as customers are much more likely to complain should they have to wait weeks on end for delivery. One way in which you can combat this issue is by investing in a warehouse. By having a warehouse storage space at your disposal, you can stock up on products ahead of time, especially when you are anticipating an increase in sales (such as during the festive period). This will help you to easily cater to customer demand. They can also be useful in storing scrupulous products or materials that you might not need right away but could come in handy further down the line. In short, while you may have started by storing your products in a small space within your offices - as your company grows, it's far better to have (or invest in) your own company warehouse. 

Get Legal Services
For businesses, it is often important to understand the legal implications of their decisions. By taking advantage of legal services, entrepreneurs can gain greater control over the development and success of their company. From forming a corporation to filing necessary paperwork, having professional expertise on their side ensures that all processes are carried out in an efficient and compliant manner. Services provided by Starlegal may also help business owners navigate complex contracts, negotiate better terms with partners and vendors, and protect against potential liabilities.

​Now it's time for you to apply these tips to your business and make it a successful year. While you are here check out Three ways you can reduce your workload in your small business.