If you are thinking of entering the world of the entrepreneur, be prepared for a huge start up bill, and with so many things to take into consideration, it makes sense to outsource what you can. The key to a successful company launch is being able to focus on the essential direction of the business, and not to waste valuable energy on tasks that are beyond our capabilities. There are many things we can outsource, and if you are preparing to go it alone, here are just a few ideas on how to keep that start up budget at a sensible level.
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Enlist the Help of a Call handling Company
In modern business, it isn’t absolutely necessary to have a full time receptionist, and with the high costs of directly employing people, it makes sense to outsource this to a third party provider. You might like to take advantage of their virtual reception service, which means you no longer need to find and rent office space. You can have a prestigious office address, and calls are relayed to the receptionist by way of a virtual number, and your customers have no idea you are using a third party. There is a range of services including overflow call handling, which is ideal for those really busy times, and when things return to normal, your regular staff can deal with all enquiries. Seasonal surges can create problems for some businesses, and by arranging for temporary cover, all of your orders will be processed on schedule and your reputation will be enhanced.
Outsource all IT needs
Obviously, you will need a dynamic website, and the best way to arrange this is to talk to a digital marketing organisation. They can help you design, create and maintain the portal to your global customers, and with their expertise, your business will grow steadily. You will definitely need a strong online marketing strategy, and unless you are very experienced in this, it is wise to enlist a reliable IT expert, who can handle all of your online issues.
Digital Marketing
Social media platforms account for more orders than any other platform, so make sure you create pages with major sites like Facebook and Twitter, and by posting relevant information and images, you will build up a following. One has no choice but to outsource this side of the business, unless you happen to be an IT wizard, and by finding the right partner, all of your IT needs will be professionally looked after. If you are looking for further information, here is an interesting article on the benefits of digital marketing that every entrepreneur should read.
SEO Services
If you want potential customers to find you, search engine optimisation is a must, and there are companies that can improve your visibility with major search engines like Google or Bing, and this process can make a dramatic difference to the number of people that visit your website. This isn’t something that can be done one time, as the search engines regularly change the way they evaluate websites, which means the SEO work must be ongoing. This portion of IT development is so important, that without it, you cannot expect to see the number of visitors to your website, and if your site content is dynamic and informative, the number of visitors will steadily rise.
Virtual Office Space
It is possible to run a major business with a virtual office, and although you will have a prestigious postal address and a first class website, your office doesn’t really exist. Your clients will be put through to a professional receptionist who is located at the virtual office premises, and because they are fully briefed on your business, all enquiries will be handled in a polite and courteous manner. A call handling company would typically offer virtual office services, along with other services that might include:
- Call answering
- Message taking
- Virtual office services
- Emergency response
- Overflow call handling
This service allows very small businesses to have the image of a much larger and more established company, at a fraction of the cost of setting up a bricks and mortar office.
Printed Media
Even in this digital age, we still require printed media, and this is one area where outsourcing really pays. Find a reliable printer and have them handle all your printing requirements, which might include the following:
- Product brochures
- Sales Presentation packs
- Name cards
- Company letterheads and envelopes
- Promotional stickers and other material
Your company image hinges on the quality of your printed media, so this is definitely not an area to cut corners, and with outsourcing all your printing requirements, you can focus on other more important aspects of the business.
Accounting Services
It cost a lot of money to employ a certified accountant, so it makes sense to enlist the help of a third party, who can ensure that your business pays its dues. Taxation and employment issues can be very complex, and by hiring an expert, you will not have to worry about your company’s legal status. They can also take care of insurance renewals and other necessary expenses that need to be paid. As the business grows, it is essential to know how profitable things are, and this will help you to make an informed decision when it comes to growth and expansion. Many small businesses make the mistake of leaving the accounts until the last minute, and this can be costly, with heavy fines for late submissions.
Temporary Cover
You might have a small but effective workforce, and they will eventually need to take a well-earned break, and by using a third party to cover in their absence, the same high standards can be achieved, without the high costs of hiring new staff. Sickness can also be covered, and with a reliable call answering service at your disposal, your fast response time will continue to impress.
These are a few ways a small business can outsource essential services without compromising the quality of service you offer, and with many other services available, your business can reap the benefits of having an alliance with a professional company that can bridge the communication gap whenever you require it.