Weighs in On Building an Online Business: 7 Steps to Success

Published on: 09 January 2019 Last Updated on: 24 February 2020
Online Business

Building an online business is always challenging, particularly if it’s your first business venture. Competition for customers is high in almost every marketplace, so you need to find ways to stay ahead of your competitors. Planning and preparation are crucial for long-term success

When it comes to online entrepreneurship, the CEO of SMEJapan.com, Joel Devidal enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge for his career with others. He serves as an advisor and board member to companies, helping them create bright futures through decisions around strategy, marketing, and development. His intuition and experience help these organizations eliminate excessive operational costs while still delivering quality to the end users.

Here are seven steps detailed by Mr. Devidal for building a successful online business.

Find a Gap in the Market:

Look for a niche or gap in the market that has not already been filled. This may be as simple as finding an area where your competitors are falling short of customer expectations, or it could mean finding a way to provide extra value or novel additions to your products.

For example, if you want to start a business selling residential smoke alarms, it would be difficult to compete with more well-established companies. However, you could create your niche by making your products from recycled materials and working with a designer to create unique and attractive designs.

Do Your Research:

Proper research forms the foundation for any business, but its importance is often overlooked. Researching your competitors is crucial for planning, starting and growing your business.

Customer research enables you to define and target a specific type of customer, making it easier to market your products and reduce advertising costs.

Create a Platform:

Your website is the storefront of your business; it should contain all the information potential customers will want to know, including your contact details, mission statement, FAQs (frequently asked questions) and any legal notices you need to include.

The design of your website should complement the type of business you’re running. Consider hiring a professional web designer to make your platform attractive and easy to navigate.

Build Your Reputation:

Posting regular content on your website or blog is a simple way to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Create well-researched content that is useful to your customers. Stay informed about developments and important issues in your area. Writing content for trade magazines and other appropriate websites will also help to build your reputation.

Drive Traffic to Your Website:

It takes time to achieve high search engine rankings, but there are other ways to drive traffic to your website.

Social media is one of the cheapest and most effective tools for increasing website traffic, but monitoring several social media accounts can be time-consuming. Focus on maintaining a presence on one main social media platform rather than trying to spread your time across multiple platforms. Alternatively, if your budget allows, you could hire a social media manager.

Paid advertising campaigns can also be highly effective at driving traffic to your website, but you will need to consider whether the results will be worth the cost of running the campaign.

Convert Site Visitors to Customers:

Once visitors arrive at your website, it’s your job to convince them to buy your products. Showcasing your products and services with targeted landing pages will increase your chances of immediate sales. However, visitors often need time and extra information before making buying decisions.

Therefore, the main aim should be to capture the email addresses of your site’s visitors. Once you have their email address, you can work on building a long-term relationship through regular email communication.

Keep Customers Coming Back:

Providing an excellent customer experience is the key to keeping your customers satisfied and ensuring future sales. “Happy customers are more likely to recommend your products to family and friends,” stated Mr. Devidal. Keep in touch with customers by sending regular email updates, exclusive offers, and discounts.

Building an online business is a difficult task, but proper preparation will increase your chances of success. Taking the time to do your research and plan your strategy will make all the difference when setting up a new business.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

CRM Estimating

The Importance Of Accurate CRM Estimating For Your Business

Customer relationship management (CRM) is an essential aspect of any successful business. It involves managing interactions with customers, storing their information, and analyzing their behavior to improve customer experience and increase revenue. However, accurately estimating the cost of a CRM system is often overlooked, leading to unexpected expenses and potential financial losses. In today's highly competitive business environment, it's critical to have a solid understanding of the costs associated with implementing and maintaining a CRM system. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of accurate CRM estimating for your business, including the potential risks of inaccurate estimates, the benefits of accurate estimates, and strategies for ensuring your CRM estimates are as accurate as possible. By the end of this post, you'll have a better understanding of how accurate CRM estimating can help your business thrive. What Is CRM? CRM is an approach to managing customer interactions which seeks to improve satisfaction, devotion and overall company success. By leveraging CRM software, marketing and advertising agencies can streamline their workflow, enhance communication among team members, and make data-driven decisions. a. Definition Of CRM At its core, CRM refers to the strategies, technologies, and practices used by businesses for acquiring new clients while retaining current ones. It encompasses various aspects such as sales management, contact management, customer support services, as well as marketing automation tools that help in building strong relationships with clients over time. b. Benefits Of Using CRM Better client relations: A well-implemented CRM system allows you to understand your clients' needs better by providing insights into their preferences and behavior patterns. Informed decision-making: With accurate data at your fingertips through a centralized database within the CRM platform, it becomes easier for teams across different departments like sales or marketing to collaborate effectively on campaigns or projects. Increase efficiency: Automating routine tasks using a robust CRM solution saves valuable time for employees who can focus more on critical activities that drive revenue growth instead of mundane administrative workloads. Sales forecasting: Accurate sales projections are crucial in planning budgets or allocating resources accordingly; hence having access to real-time analytics provided by modern-day CRMs helps companies stay ahead of competitors when strategizing future plans based on past trends observed within their industry niche markets worldwide. The Importance Of Accurate CRM Estimating For Your Business In today's competitive business landscape, marketing and advertising agencies need to have a clear understanding of their clients' needs and the resources required to meet those needs effectively. This is where accurate customer relationship management (CRM) estimating comes into play. Accurate estimating is critical to ensure that marketing and advertising agencies are able to understand their clients' needs, determine the resources required, and ultimately meet those needs effectively. Why Accurate Estimating Matters Accurate CRM estimation plays a crucial role in determining the success of your agency's projects by helping you: Allocate resources efficiently: With precise estimates, you can better allocate your team members' time and skills to various tasks within a project. Maintain profitability: Underestimating or overestimating costs can lead to budget overruns or wasted resources - both detrimental factors that affect an agency's bottom line. Achieve client satisfaction: When you accurately estimate project requirements from the start, it becomes easier to set realistic expectations with clients and deliver results on time. How To Ensure Accuracy In Your Estimates To improve the accuracy of your CRM estimates, consider implementing these strategies: Break down projects into smaller tasks, making it easier for team members to understand specific responsibilities and deadlines associated with each task. Gather input from all relevant stakeholders involved in a project; this helps create more comprehensive estimations based on collective knowledge rather than relying on a single person's perspective. Utilize historical data from past projects to identify trends and patterns that can inform your current estimates. Gathering multiple perspectives on a project and utilizing historical data can help you make wiser decisions regarding resources, timelines, and financials. The Impact Of Poor Estimating On Your Business Inaccurate CRM estimating can have several negative consequences for your agency: Loss of revenue: Underestimating project costs or overestimating potential profits may lead to financial losses in the long run. Damaged reputation: Consistently failing to meet client expectations due to poor estimation practices could harm your agency's credibility and deter future clients from working with you. Burnout among team members: Overworked employees who are constantly trying to compensate for inaccurate estimations might experience burnout, leading to decreased productivity and higher turnover rates. To avoid these pitfalls, it is essential for marketing and advertising agencies like yours to prioritize accurate CRM estimating as part of their overall business strategy. By doing so, you'll be better equipped to deliver successful results consistently while maintaining strong relationships with both clients and team members alike. Accurate CRM estimating is essential for businesses to ensure their success and profitability. By improving the process, companies can maximize efficiency while reducing costs associated with poor estimates. Let's investigate strategies to refine our CRM estimating process in order to gain optimal outcomes. What Can A CRM Do For An Organization? A CRM system improves organizational efficiency by centralizing customer information in one place. This allows for better communication, collaboration, and decision-making across teams. Agency CRM by Function Point can automate tasks like data entry or follow-ups, saving time and resources. Additionally, a CRM system helps in identifying sales opportunities by tracking leads and nurturing existing clients to drive revenue growth. Conclusion In conclusion, accurate CRM estimating is an essential element for any business that wants to achieve success. It allows businesses to make informed decisions that result in better customer experiences, improved sales, and greater profits. By investing in the right CRM tools and adopting best practices for estimating, businesses can increase their efficiency and productivity while minimizing costly errors. Moreover, accurate estimating enables businesses to stay ahead of the competition by identifying opportunities for growth and expansion. As a result, businesses that prioritize accurate CRM estimating are better positioned to achieve long-term success in today's highly competitive business landscape. Read Also: CRMDialer: A Zoho Alternative 6 Top CRM For Small Businesses In 2019 Cold Calling Script For Successful Sales Persons

READ MOREDetails
Social Entrepreneurship

Social Entrepreneurship – Entrepreneurship Strategies And Many More!

We are living in a world where becoming an entrepreneur is pretty common, and launching your own venture is perhaps more ordinary than we usually assume it to be! So naturally, when concepts of entrepreneurship, investment portfolios, and bootstrapped startups are ruling the business world, it acts as a catalyst for relatively more intrinsic concepts to come up. One such concept is that of social entrepreneurship, something we all must have heard somewhere - from Ted Talks to office meetings, you must have come across this term. Yes, you know what entrepreneurship means or, for that matter, what socials mean. But when the two terms are put together, what does it imply? Keep reading to find out more. What Is Social Entrepreneurship? Let’s Find Out! So what is social entrepreneurship, and who’s a social entrepreneur? Social entrepreneurs are people who pursue novel applications which has the potential for solving problems that are community-based. These individuals are people who want to take the risk and put in the effort for creating the right changes in society through positive initiatives. Social entrepreneurship is based on the idea of finding the road to connecting with the purpose of your life, helping other people find their purpose in life, and ultimately making the right difference in this world. In addition, these entrepreneurs implement several ethical purposes like conscious consumerism, social responsibility in corporates, and impact harvesting. Key Understanding: Social entrepreneurs aim to start businesses for a greater good and not to earn profits. Social entrepreneurs invest in ventures that are often environmental-friendly or philanthropic or even deal with underprivileged communities. Social entrepreneurship is a trend that’s constantly growing, accompanied by SRI (Socially Responsible Investing) and ESG (Environmental Social & Governance Investing). Understanding Social Entrepreneurs:  The social entrepreneurship definition points out how social entrepreneurs are not inspired by the whole profit-earning motive of running a business. In fact, these individuals are different from ordinary entrepreneurs who are motivated by profit-earning abilities and have no mandatory intention of leaving a positive impact on the society around them. Notable economist Adam Smith, in his well-known book, The Wealth of Nations, commented, in this context, “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest.” What Smith wanted to point out was that when people go after their best interests, there is an automatic inclination toward making decisions that usually benefit others. For instance, a florist wants to earn a livelihood for supporting her family. In order to accomplish the same, the florist will produce products that help thousands of people. Read More: How To Become An Entrepreneur? Social Entrepreneurs And Their Goals: Social entrepreneurship seeks to address imbalances such as determining all root causes of major social issues, the social stigmas associated with being part of any community, and the like. The primary goal of social entrepreneurs is to not earn profits. Rather, these entrepreneurs aim towards implementing vast improvements in the society around them. Naturally, social entrepreneurs must be financially savvy for succeeding in their causes. This is where both the ESG and SRI forms of investing make an appearance to save the day. Strategies And Entrepreneurial Ventures: How To Become A Successful Social Entrepreneur? In case you wanted us to define social entrepreneurship, then we are guessing you have understood that part. But what’s the point of finding out the definition if you want to become a social entrepreneur. Moreover, it’s only natural if you are still here, it means that you are curious about the strategies relevant to social entrepreneurship. So without wasting any further time, let’s check out a few effective strategies relevant to social entrepreneurship. Think About The Future Instead Of Being Stuck In The Past The past can be tempting. You can spend days dwelling in the past, reminiscing about social entrepreneurship ideas that made so much sense back. Instead, prioritize the future - become future-oriented in setting your goals. If you are not forward-thinking with your vision, then how will you evolve as an entrepreneur. Secondly, the world we live in is constantly evolving, and if you don’t keep up, how will you make a difference that matters? Be curious and attentive. Observe everything that goes around. Social and creative entrepreneurs are intuitive about future trends and needs. Commit To Making A Difference: The world we live in is always suffering from exploitation and inequality in terms of the availability of opportunities and resources. If you are not committed to making a difference, then are you even doing anything? The whole purpose of social entrepreneurs is to make a difference. These entrepreneurs are always creative in their approach and staunch dedication to creating a positive impact with their work. You May Like To Read This: Small Business Entrepreneurship – Small Business, Strategies And Many More! Did you know that the movement of social entrepreneurship has evolved to include methods and tools for creating an impact and making a difference. If you are interested, then you must check it out. Pursue Opportunities Not Products Or People Peter Drucker is an Austrian-American economist, often known as ‘the father of modern management’ who had pointed out in the past how the catalyst for innovative developments has nothing to do with finding new people or products. Rather, it lies in need to transform the environment. You can either choose to pursue opportunities that matter or run after employees who will bring you profits or, even worse, new products. All the difference lies in your ability to make the right choice. Social entrepreneurship companies around the world followed what Mahatma Gandhi said ages ago, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ You will be able to see and even opt for the opportunities precisely at the right place, only if you want to do so. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 1. What Are The Strategies Of Social Enterprises? The strategies of social enterprises are as follows.1. Focus on the future2. Try to make a difference3. Purse opportunities 2. What Are The 4 Types Of Social Entrepreneurs? The four types of social entrepreneurs are as follows.1. Community Entrepreneur2. Non-Profit Entrepreneur3. Transformational Entrepreneur4. Global Entrepreneur 3. What Are The 5 Strategies Of Entrepreneurs? The 5 strategies of entrepreneurs are as follows.1. Set initial goals2. Create a vision3. Network around4. Keep learning5. Don’t quit 4. What Are The 5 Characteristics Of Social Entrepreneurship? The five characteristics of social entrepreneurship are as follows.1. Deep empathy2. Innovation3. Systemic planning4. Sustainable approach5. Changemakers Logging Out… The world is now filled with social entrepreneurship examples, and if it interests you, then what are you doing, lurking behind blogs, when you can start your venture! Time’s ticking - why wait when you can invest time, money, and efforts in making a difference for a change? Don’t forget to let us know your thoughts on social entrepreneurship in the comments below. Read More: Top 9 Reasons Your Sales Training Isn’t WorkingHow Many Types Of Entrepreneurs Are There In 2022?10 Must Have Marketing Tools To Add In Small Business Growth Strategies!

READ MOREDetails
Salmon Farming

A Viable Alternative to Wild Fish: Can Salmon Farming Be Sustainable?

The demand for salmon continues to soar as it drives the expansion of aquaculture. For many years, conscientious consumers have been advised by the environmentalists to keep away from farmed salmon, but things have begun to change due to the evolving industry. Salmon is rich in protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids which are ideal for your heart’s health. As a result, salmon has increasingly been marketed as a healthy product for consumption. The demand for salmon has increased more than 20% in the past years while consumption is much higher than it was in the eighties. Despite these promising numbers, many people still question the viability of salmon farming. To understand whether or not salmon farming is sustainable, here is what you need to know. Aquaculture Then and Now: Aquaculture, the practice of raising seafood within a controlled setting, has been around for many years. This practice was used by the Australian indigenous people and people from the Roman Empire. In China, aquaculture during the Tang Dynasty resulted in the mutation which created goldfish which is now used as a ubiquitous pet in homes. Currently, the aquaculture industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the entire world. The natural fisheries have placed limitations on the number of fish that can be caught during a particular period of the year. As an alternative, fish farming has offered consistent and large quantities of seafood and fish. The addition of aquaculture stock including oysters and salmon has been instrumental in meeting the current demands for seafood, making aquaculture a more sustainable practice. Today, aquaculture and Salmon farming plays an instrumental role in the economy, offering numerous job opportunities in the operations as well as the ancillary services. The Environmental Defense Fund states that exports of global fisheries now earn more revenues as opposed to any other traded food component such as coffee, cocoa, and rice. This aspect illustrates the sustainable aspect of aquaculture and farmed salmon. What are the Misconceptions? The farmed salmon industry faces so much negative perception, most of which is brought about by the media hype. One of the greatest misconception people have about farmed salmon is that doesn’t offer the same nutrient quality as the wild salmon. Nevertheless, just like the wild salmon, it is imperative to not that farmed salmon has low saturated fat as opposed to other kinds of proteins. Moreover, the rich, pink hue of this kind of fish is created from natural compounds found in their feed. As mentioned earlier, one of the advantages of farmed salmon is its provision of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids which can be seen in most wild salmon varieties. Through a number of independent studies undertaken by the National Cancer Institute, FDA, and other reputable companies or organizations, PCB levels evident in the wild and farmed salmon are safely under the tolerance levels that the FDA has set. Apart from the nutritional misconceptions, there’s some sort of confusion among the public regarding the environmental impact of salmon farming and the feed conversion processes. According to recent studies, the feed conversion ratio of farmed salmon is quite lower compared to the wild salmon. Moreover, the extensive water testing evident in salmon farming has shown that the farming process doesn’t negatively affect the water’s overall quality. Low Impact on the Environment: According to studies conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, aquaculture has less impact on the environment. If anything, this practice can benefit rather than destroy the environment. This is because practices such as salmon farming can be conducted using practices which don’t harm the environment. That way, it becomes possible to meet the ever-growing demand for seafood, thus supplementing the fish that has been harvested in the wild. Although there are documented issues associated with fish farming such as the use of chemicals, water pollution, and threat to natural fish, farmed salmon among other kinds of fish farming is a sustainable solution to the depletion of wild fish. Offshore Expansion: One of the advantages of salmon farming is its flexible nature. To promote sustainability, salmon farming salmon can be moved from nearshore onto land. The ocean is large and there are massive opportunities for farmers to expand the practice in different locations. Farming can be done on land or taken further offshore where the impact on the environment is minimal because farming is done in an open water body where waste can be carried further beyond the sea. However, this can be capital intensive because farmers need systems that are physically stronger to manage the challenges brought about by wave action and wind. As the industry continues to expand, chances are farmed salmon will be moved out into other environments. Given the current trends in technology and innovation, it will not be surprising to see farmed salmon taking the world by storm. Where the practice is today portrays some massive steps from where the practice was some years back, a clear indication that salmon farming is bound to take the world by storm in the coming years. The Future of Farmed Salmon: When visualizing the future of fish farming, it is imperative to establish different components in connection to the practice. Some of these include its environmental impact, its effect on health, and its sustainable aspect. With regard to sustainability, as the demand for protein continues to grow, their production will continue to increase. In such a case, nutritionists will be looking at practices as salmon farming to see how they will continue to provide the much-needed protein. And despite the various challenges associated with farmed salmon, it is imperative to note that aquaculture is an efficient way of producing protein. In that regard, salmon farming leads the way when it comes to innovation in the field of aquaculture, offering a solution to the global problem of protein production. To attain the goal of sustainability, it is important for salmon farmers to continue utilizing new innovation and eco-friendly techniques which have a lesser impact on the environment. Final Word: Aquaculture has been one of the most dependable practices for providing seafood and ensuring the provision of much-demanded protein. Generally, farmed salmon is a sustainable practice and an excellent alternative to wild fish. Read Also: A Few Tips About Reef Fishing On A Fishing Charter The Fishing Industry Needs More Sustainability Awareness

READ MOREDetails