The essential steps to starting a business that I’ve learnt
Knowing where to start with a new business can be daunting. I’ve learnt so much since launching my first business as an architect many years ago. Back in 2000, starting a business felt like venturing into uncharted territory – now here I am running a website business with Fred, and want to share what I’ve learnt along the way.
If you’re about to beginning your business journey, you have the skills, the expertise, and the passion already in place. But how do you translate all that into a thriving business? Here’s the essential steps to starting a business that I’ve learned over the years – the order makes sense to me, but tweak as you need, as long as you get all the steps done.
Step 1: diving deep into your brand
Branding is so much more than just choosing colours and fonts. Branding is about how your business presents itself to the world and, more importantly, how people perceive it. It’s the foundation of your business identity – your “personality” in the marketplace.
Investing in your brand from the start will give you clarity and focus when moving on to the next stages. Your brand becomes the anchor for all your decisions, from marketing to customer service.
Think of branding as the combination of:
- your mission and values: what your business stands for? Why does it exist? These will guide every brand decision you make.
- your tone of voice: how do you communicate with your audience? Are you friendly, professional, fun?
- visual identity: the logo, colours and fonts that’ll make your business stand out and convey your brand values visually.
I recommend two books I’ve found invaluable when I was doing the branding for Flat White Websites:
- How to Style your Brand: this book is packed with practical exercises, including how to give your brand a seasonal personality (e.g., spring, summer, autumn, or winter). It’s a fun and insightful approach to discovering your brand’s visual identity.
- Brand Brilliance: this goes deeper into branding strategy, helping you identify your ideal client and create a brand that truly resonates with them.
Fiona also has excellent resources on her website to get you started.
Step 2: buy your Domain Name
Before you do anything else for your online presence, buy your domain name. Your domain name is your business’s address on the web and an essential part of your brand identity. It will also give you a business email address – essential to show you mean business about your business.
The work you’ve done on your branding will guide you in choosing the perfect name. Make sure it’s simple, memorable, and aligns with your brand.
Read my blog for the answers to the most common questions about domain names.
Step 3: get a website with a Coming Soon page
A website is a vital tool for your business—of course, I’d say that, but it’s true!
However, building a full website takes time and effort, not just in terms of money but also in creating meaningful content.
The best way to start is to launch a simple Coming Soon page. This gives you an immediate presence online while you work on the full website. Include the following on your page:
- contact details: a phone number or email so people can reach you.
- links to social media: add links as soon as you create your accounts.
- a brief description: tell visitors what you’re launching in a clear and concise way – this is where time spent on your branding will really help you nail your message.
- a launch date: if possible, share when your business will officially open.
It’s all too easy to put off getting a website because it will take too long, and you don’t have all the content ready. That’s why this simple step ensures that people can find you, even before your business is fully operational.
Step 4: start one social media account
Social media is crucial for building your audience and generating interest in your business. However, starting with multiple platforms can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on just one.
Choose the platform where your ideal audience is most active. For example:
- Instagram is great for visually driven businesses.
- LinkedIn works well for professional services.
- TikTok is ideal for creative, fun, and engaging content.
At Flat White Websites, we’re all about Instagram (check us out!), but the key is to pick what suits your business. Building your feed takes time and effort, so it’s better to excel on one platform than spread yourself too thin.
Step 5: invest in professional photos
Photos of you, on your website and on your social media, are gold dust. Most of us squirm at the idea of having a photo taken, but there are brilliant, expert brand photographers out there ready to help. They’ll use their expertise not only to put you at ease and make the process more enjoyable, but also produce a range of photos that you can use across your platforms.
Start with a headshot. Find a photographer who offers a short headshot session local to you – you’ll be able to go along for an hour or two, and often meet other small business owners who feel as nervous as you!
Expand the range of photos into a full brand shoot as and when you can afford it.
We’ve tagged some fabulous brand photographers in this Instagram post – click to find out more.
Step 6: collect testimonials
Testimonials are so valuable to add to both your website and your social media.
How do you get feedback when you haven’t started? Two easy ways that I’ve used:
- give samples for free – we gave away three websites when we launched Flat White Websites, and got brilliant quotes we could use on our website straight away
- gather comments on your social media – share helpful tips in your posts, and save all the appreciative comments.
Gathering testimonials is an ongoing process, so don’t stop as soon as your business is up and running – make it a habit to ask for feedback regularly.
In summary
Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but by focusing on these key steps, you’ll lay a solid foundation for success. Remember, branding is your anchor, your domain name is your address, and your website and social media are your storefronts.
Take one of these essential steps to starting a business step now, and check out our website blends to see which one is the best for your business – and each package comes with a domain name and a Coming Soon page to make your life that bit easier:
Category: Demystifying Websites, Uncategorised