Make Your Small Business More Professional

If you’re a small business owner who would like to make a big impression, there are some simple ways to stand out and look more professional than your competitors. Read on for some tips to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward when engaging with your clients.

Create a Website

Nowadays, almost no business is taken seriously if it doesn’t have an internet presence.

Many of your potential customers may do a search for precisely the service or merchandise you provide, and if you don’t have a professional-looking website they may never find you.

There are plenty of online services that offer templates to help you design your own site, and you simply pay for the size and style of website you need.

If you aren’t marketing-savvy or simply don’t have the time to take this on yourself, you can always hire someone to create an eye-catching website for you.

Even if you aren’t ready to feature all of your products from the get-go, setting up a simple page with a description of your business and contact information can give you greater credibility than someone with no web presence at all.

Dive Into Social Media

Do some research to determine where your customers might hang out online, then set up accounts in those spaces.

Pinterest and Instagram draw influencers in a variety of areas, so building a following on these and similar platforms can give you a leg up on your competition.

This can also be a great way to advertise to friends and families with whom you connect online.

One thing to keep in mind is that the most successful business owners typically stay very active once they establish their social media presences.

Many people are turned off by outdated or stale posts, so engaging frequently and keeping things fresh can go a long way toward piquing interest in your business.

Obtain a Business Address

Even as commerce increasingly moves online, establishing a street address for your business can be a smart move.

For starters, it creates a sense of professionalism that can make clients feel more confident in your commitment and trustworthiness.

A business address may also give you more personal privacy, as you won’t be required to provide your home address to any potential vendors or customers.

None of this means you need to go out and rent office space or a storefront. To start, simply pay for a box at your local post office or mail service store.

You can either use your box address itself, or in many cases it can be converted so that it appears to be an actual street address.

Set Up a Strong Email Address

Since, again, professionalism is your aim, now is not the time to share your personal email address with the world. Nothing can shatter consumer confidence like receiving an email from “[email protected].”

Instead, obtain an address based on your website domain; email packages can often be purchased as part of your website hosting.

While you’re at it, give your email address some heft.

Although you may be your sole employee for now, you can make your company seem less small by formalizing your address to include both your first and last names. “[email protected]” will likely come across as much more polished than a “Joe@” address would.

Have an Appropriate Phone Presence

A key aspect of putting forth a professional business image is to separate your personal world from your business world in as many ways as possible.

That’s why you should get a business phone number to ensure that calls and texts are routed to your work line.

It’s never been easier to add additional phone lines to your mobile device; your phone will show which of your lines each contact is coming through so you can respond appropriately.

With some services, incoming calls and texts can be routed to multiple devices so you can answer from your phone, tablet or elsewhere.

That way you’ll be less likely to miss an important communication.

No matter how small your business, there are steps you can take to make your enterprise come across as more professional.

Follow these simple guidelines to engage with your existing and potential customers in a productive, polished, and proficient manner.