One of the best ways to establish credibility and trust as a company is to make it seem like a lot bigger than it actually is. Even if you don’t have a large budget, you can invest in services and products which allow to both feel and look like a corporation, even though you’re a small business.
Get a Proper Email
The number of people who even though they have a website still use a generic email address such as outlook or Gmail is amazing.
Think of it this way, you never see anybody in a large business doing that. So, the simple solution is to get a branded email address. Do it, it’s a necessity if you want to be taken seriously.
Getting A Central Business Address
Not only is it dangerous to list your home address online, it also makes your company lose credibility. Instead, you may pay for a virtual office space somewhere in your city, or opt to get a box from a local UPS store, so you’ll be able to receive mail from a standard street address.
These services will often allow you to receive packages from UPS and FedEx, so you can separate your business and home purchases easily. Some services will scan your mail and e-mail it to you, making it easier for you to keep up, without the need for you to pick up mail every day.
Use large invoice numbers
If you’re sending out invoices and quotes to client, start with bigger numbers.
This will make it seem like you’ve been in business for longer than you actually have, facilitating buyer confidence and trust. If the invoice number is something small such as 20 or 32, the customer will get the impression that you just opened the business – even if it’s the case, it’s not an image you want to project to customers.
A variety of invoicing solutions, like Quickbooks and Paypal, will allow you to choose the starting number, so you can keep it all organized for your bookkeeping and accounting needs.
Get A Virtual PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
A PBX is a phone system which allows a company to switch calls between lines whilst allowing employees to share a telephone system. Instead of investing in an expensive, physical PBX system, you can use a cloud-based option which uses VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), such as Skype.
This way, you’ll get to port an existing number over or choose your own, and then provide a variety of extensions for internal dialing within the company. Using a Virtual PBX or hosted PBX, you can get your business a toll-free number as well as a virtual answering service which directs users to the department that can address their issues.
Do Not Use A Formal Title On Your Start-up Business Card
If you are a 1-person operation, you’re obviously the CEO. What’s not obvious is why would the CEO be doing everything in a business. Until your company grows enough to include other employees or contractors, skip using a title on your cards and other means of communication.
Get a Virtual Receptionist for your Start-up
A receptionist looks good when people call and gives your business the professional edge. Additionally, it ensures that all calls are taken and answered and you have no worries about missing out on business. Try a virtual receptionist company like Office Answers and reap the benefits.
Pay Close Attention To Your Website
Your website is open 24/7, and it’s the face of your business on the internet. There is a variety of ways to create a quality, professional looking website, even if you’re on a budget.
By using free platforms such as WordPress, you can invest some money into your domain and hosting, along with a premium theme – then have it all set up in a couple of hours. Otherwise, you may hire a professional designer who’ll be able to create a custom look for you.
Regardless of the route you take, don’t forget to include important information like your phone number, address, operation hours, and e-mail address. Make sure to add a contact form as well, so users can reach you easily.
If you sell physical services or products, a way to make your company seem bigger is to add an online store to your website. This is very easy to do and affordable with a variety of online solutions – just make sure you’re ready to ship orders in time.
When it comes to your website’s content, it’s best to use plural English such as “we” as opposed to “I”. This suggests you have a large team of employees working at your business.
