If you have already done the hard part and have kept a startup going during these hard times, you need to pat yourself on the back. However, it is easy to go under in a saturated market full of small businesses that offer similar products. Reports show that only 1 in 10 startups manage to succeed, while the rest disappear under the radar. As an entrepreneur, you need to find innovative ways to stand out from the crowd and be seen. Here are a few top tips to help your startup gain a competitive edge.
Get Qualified
Small businesses with a great product and an innovative team can only go so far without an effective leader. As a business owner, you need to ensure your leadership and management skills are up to scratch so that you can make the right call in business. Knowledge about the industry and passion for your product is a good starting point, but you need in-depth knowledge regarding core business practices and a specific set of skills to take you where you want to go. An online Bachelor of Business Management degree will enable you to become more proficient in business and help you hone your skills. The best Bachelor of Business Management jobs graduates can get include careers revolving around management in administration, HR, compensation and benefits, and sales. With this degree, you can use your newfound knowledge to make your startup stand out.
Improve Your Website
Statistics show that 70 to 80 percent of people perform online research on a company before making a purchase. In turn, this means that you could lose this same percentage of potential consumers if you don’t have a website or if it does not work effectively. Therefore, your business website should be attractive and easy to use. It should also be regularly updated with relevant and important information. After all, there is nothing worse than calling a number from a website only to hear a dial tone. If IT and the website design are beyond your capabilities, outsource this job to a specialist. A third-party vendor can create a beautiful, user-friendly website, and they can help you maintain it too.
Create an Online Presence
Social media platforms are a great way to create a buzz around your brand and get your business seen by a wider audience. Make social media a part of your digital marketing campaign and create a business profile to reach out to your target market. Not only can it help startups build their brand, but it also provides onlookers with the chance to reach out with questions about your company. So many people turn to social media when they are searching for a product or a service, an active account filled with quality content can convert visitors to your profile into customers.
Be Seen
The importance of high-quality content doesn’t just apply to social media profiles; you need to make sure your website content is fully optimized too. Search engine optimization (SEO) helps startups reach out and draw in the right people. This process involves many elements, including the placement of popular keywords in your content, that help push your website to the top of search engine results pages.
