New Year’s resolutions are appealing for many reasons. First, they give us a chance to turn over a new leaf. With a new year comes the chance for a fresh start, and having a chance to begin anew is a great feeling. Secondly, they help us build on last year’s mistakes. Bad habits, “failed” projects, and delayed plans can be corrected, revived and put into action, respectively, as we move ahead into the new year. The word “fail” is in quotations because I see it as a “First Attempt In Learning.” One should learn from past “failures” and move ahead with more confidence because they know what not to do again. Last, and perhaps most importantly, New Year’s resolutions keep us from getting too comfortable with the status quo. They prevent stagnation and help us hold ourselves accountable for our previous shortcomings.

Yet, as everyone knows, actually keeping our resolutions isn’t always easy. It helps to have a goal you believe in, a project you can plug away at each day and go to bed feeling satisfied that you made progress on it. And let’s face it, in a challenging economic situation, it also helps if that goal is one that will earn you some extra income along the way.

One such goal is establishing – and successfully running – a small business. It’s something a lot of people dream about. Who among us hasn’t daydreamed at our desk about what it would be like to make our own schedule, decide our own direction and pursue our own business ambitions?

Of course, running a small business isn’t for everyone; it takes a certain kind of person and a particularly high level of determination and perseverance – along with a few helpful tools.

Is starting a small business on your list of New Year’s resolutions? Are you ready to dive into the nitty gritty and make your business dream a reality? If so, here are some simple tips to get you started.

Define Your Business

First and foremost, you need to establish what your business will actually look like. An abstract concept won’t get you very far; you need to have some concrete details written down.
Start with a name. When you introduce yourself to someone for the first time, you tell them your name right away. Names are important identifiers. And the same is true for your business. A good name will make a positive impression on potential customers. Come up with a few options and test them out with friends and family members.

Next, nail down your products and services. If you’re making products, do you have the materials you need to create them? Can you buy those materials in bulk? Examine your calendar and determine whether you’ll have the time to pour into creating or procuring your products. You may need to move some things around and make that time.

Above all else, you need to figure out who your customers are. Are you selling to parents? College students? Athletes? Other business owners? Knowing your target customer and figuring out how to sell to them is half the battle.

Get Your Business Website Ready

These days, a website is an essential tool for any small business. But before you set out to build your site, it helps to do a little prep work. Before investing in an eCommerce platform, for example, ensure you have products or services ready to sell. Nail down your contact information, as it will need to be added to your website’s contact page, and put your product and service descriptions down in a digital format.

You should also write a mission statement for your business. A strong mission statement acts as a guiding light for your small business endeavor, keeping you focused on what’s most important to you. On that note, putting the customer at the center of your mission statement is usually the way to go.

Next, think about what you want to accomplish with your website. Are you creating it just so you have a web presence to direct curious customers to? Will it be a central marketing hub for your business? Do you plan to sell products and services on your site? Decide what you want to use it for, and you’ll be in a better position to find the right package for your particular needs.

If you get stuck on this step, don’t hesitate to reach out to the pros for a little help. Sometimes it helps to talk things through with an experienced website professional.

Market Your Business Effectively

After identifying your target customer, you need to think about how you will reach them. Establish which social media channels you’re going to use to connect with your customers, whether it’s Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, or another platform entirely. Again, really examine your schedule to determine whether you have the time to create compelling content for social media; if not, you might want to outsource your social media marketing.

Next, establish your budget for paid advertising, and determine what advertising opportunities make the most sense for your business plan. Targeted email marketing is often a great way to reach customers, but you need to decide how you will target it and what tools you’re going to use.
You should also look into Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Ranking highly in search rankings is an effective way to show new customers what you have to offer. It may be in your best interest to work with a company that can provide you with ongoing SEO services.

Don’t Go It Alone

New Year’s resolutions aren’t easy. Establishing a small business and beginning to market it online isn’t easy. For that reason, turning to experienced website professionals is often the right choice. Working with the pros could save you a lot of time and energy otherwise spent learning how to do everything yourself. With help from an experienced website company, you’ll get the support you need to get your site up and running without taking too much attention away from the other parts of your business.
Whatever website option you choose, ensure that your provider offers a high-quality website building and design platform, SSL and website security options, SEO tools, and robust marketing capabilities. With a strong website, a solid marketing plan, and a clear vision for your business, you’ll be well on your way to making your small business resolution one you can stick to throughout the new year and beyond.