What To Do In The First 30 Days After Starting A Business

The first days of starting a new business are exciting and nervewracking in equal measure. There’s a lot to get done, and it can be hard to remember them all. Try to have patience with yourself and work steadily through these steps in your first thirty days of business.

Join An Online Business Community

You probably know you should be doing in-person networking, but online business groups, especially ones designed for start-ups can be very valuable too. Connect with others who are facing similar hurdles to you. Ask for feedback and advice, or ask questions about business areas you’re confused about, like recommendations for a business bank account, or expected public liability insurance costs. 

Define Your Customer Profile

If you’re going to succeed, you need to know who your customer is. Create a detailed customer profile include details such as age, gender, income, relationship status, hobbies, lifestyle and more. You can use this profile to better target your offering and marketing. 

Research the Market

You need to do your homework. Research the market place, to make sure you have correctly understood the demand for your product. Don’t just assume there’s a space for you. 

Assess the Competition

Consider who your potential rivals might be and try them out as a customer. What were the costs like? What services do they offer? Are they doing something that is already very close to the idea that you have? It’s better to find out in the early days that someone has already had your big idea than it is to find out later when you’ve invested money into your business. You can also use this research to find ways to stand out, whether by offering better prices or better service. 

Draw Up A Business Plan

A brief business plan is fine at this stage but it’s a good idea to have one to guide you. Draw up a plan that lays out what a successful first year would look like for your start-up. This plan is bound to change as you go, but having some measurable goals can really help with your focus. 

Choose A Business Name

Choose a name carefully, and think about it from both a legal and marketing perspective. Check that nobody else is using your name before you set your heart on one. Check that a suitable domain name and social media channels are available. Search the name, to check it isn’t being used for something else and doesn’t have an unfortunate meaning in slang or a foreign language. Make sure the name fits with your brand identity. 

Register Your Website

When you have decided on your name, register your web address. Claiming this early stops someone else from buying it out from under you. You can start getting your website ready too. 

Make A List Of Suppliers And Distribution Partners

You will need to source suppliers and distributors. Start with Google to find suppliers locally and further afield. For ideas, you could also look at who your competition is using.