January. Traditionally a month for self-improvement, it also provides a fantastic opportunity to start afresh with your small business and bring about positive change. Alongside your efforts to eat healthier or work out more, here are some New Year’s Resolutions for Small Business owners that will kick start your small business’ growth for 2019.
Modernize Your Website
The importance of a clean and modern website for your business can’t be overstated. Your website is your digital storefront and potential customers don’t want to see a dated or careless look. Website design is an ever-changing beast. Look at your competitor sites and analyze how you could make your web presence more enticing. If budget is a consideration, platforms like Shopify offer cheap and aesthetically pleasing templates you can use.
Start a Blog
Once you’ve updated your website, the next item on the checklist is bringing customers through your digital door. In fact, this is one of the most common challenges facing small businesses in the digital age. The gold standard for achieving this goal is to create a blog on your website and update it regularly with compelling content. Search Engine Optimization is the process by which you make your website more “Google friendly.” A blog allows you to create content that incorporates SEO keywords enabling potential customers to find your website. Blogs are also fantastic fodder for sharing on your social media accounts.
Pay it Forward
Starting a business is an unbelievably rewarding endeavor but it can be a tough and lonely road. Who did you turn to for advice during the critical start-up phase? Consider offering your services as a mentor to an entrepreneur in your field. Acting as a sounding board for a fellow entrepreneur is a personally and professionally enriching experience. You will be seen as an expert in your field and your generous act likely won’t go unnoticed!
Prepare for Crunch Time
What are the busy times of the year in your business calendar? It’s easy to put off preparations to the last minute but this is a recipe for unnecessary stress. Start preparing for busy periods like summer, Black Friday and Christmas now. Steps to take include analyzing sales in previous years and planning future orders now, examining staffing levels, preparing online infrastructure like web hosting to accommodate extra load and introducing a robust CRM to make your operation more efficient.
Work-Life Balance
Entrepreneurs are blessed with a “do it yourself” mindset that helps fuel their success. Unfortunately, this personality type can lead to burnout in the long run. It’s natural to want to put in long hours to make your enterprise a success but it’s also vital to make sure you’re looking after your own mental health. Make sure to carve out time away from your business to pursue hobbies and switch off. Learn to lean on your people and empower them to take up more of a leadership role. It can be tough initially to step away but it’s a necessary skill to learn for your own health and the long-term health of your business.
Here to Help
No matter what stage of business, or what problem you face, Small Business BC offers a range of seminars and one-on-one advisory sessions to suit any business.
