'If you're not on the Internet, you don't exist', does the phrase ring a bell? It's something that, a few years ago, could make you laugh. But today it is almost a reality because all of us, or almost all of us, search the Internet for what we need, even when we have it just around the corner. That is why many launch to create websites and pages, but, How to start an online business with which you really have a future and do not end up closing after 6 months or a year?
Nobody, and we repeat, nobody can guarantee that your business will prosper when you have finished it. If someone does it, run away. And it is that, sometimes, we lose common sense because of the story of the milkmaid (and we already know how it went). But what we can tell you is that there are a series of steps that it would not hurt to take into account in order, with a cool head, to start an online business that is maintained over time. Do you want to know what those are?
The super important steps to start an online business
Whether starting an idea, creating an eCommerce or anything that has to do with the Internet, the first thing you should keep in mind is that this is not done overnight. To give you an idea; Creating your personal brand, the one that will give you authority and make people know you, can take between one and three years (and most of the time it's closer to three than one). In the case of a business or an eCommerce, this can be extended up to five years. And would you be willing to put up with possible losses during that time? The most possible is that no.
For this reason, decisions cannot be made lightly, it must be studied very well. And these steps can help you do it.
analyze your idea
It is not worth thinking that your idea is great, that everyone is going to love it, that you are going to succeed with it. Ask yourself why it is so good, why other people would want to buy it.
You have to analyze what your product or service is like, if it has a future, if it is scalable... All of this must be answered before even starting any procedure.
Our recommendation is that you try to find an idea that is not very exploited (right now almost everything is invented) or at least that supposes a revolution of what is known. It is the way to stand out from the rest.
Analyze the competition
Now you know your idea perfectly, you know its strengths and weaknesses. You can say everything that implies to this one. But what about your competitors?
Now everyone has competitors and you have to analyze them too, first because they can have the same product as you, and you need to know how you are going to differentiate yourself from the rest; and second because if there is a lot of competition, maybe it is not as profitable a business as you might think at first.
Create your business plan
Although what you want is to create an online business, it is very important that you have a business plan that plans what are your actions going to be in the short, medium and long term, what is the market study, your target customer, your competition, how you are going to distribute, advertising strategies, resources... In short, everything you need to start that project.
When you have it "physically" it is easier to see that it takes shape and that it can have a future. If you don't, you risk having to deal with problems and not having a "cushion" to get around obstacles.
Design your website
Be careful, design well, it is not worth doing anything because if that is the case, they will not enter your page and you will not have good positioning or SEO to get visits. If you don't know how to do it, it's better to hire a professional to do it.
It is true that there are many pages and even hosting companies that have tools with which to create your own website in minutes and without knowledge. But do you really expect to stand out with it? Also, keep in mind that you will have many limitations and at the SEO level they are not the most pleasant or easy to position.
To get a website you will need the following:
- A domain: It is the url of your website, the address that people will have to enter in their browsers for your page to appear.
- A hosting: It is the hosting where all the files that make up your website will be. It is important to choose a quality one so that it is visible and operational 24 hours a day and does not give you any problems.
- An SSL certificate: It is essential now, the security of your website and for Google to see you as a safe business.
Once you have your website, there won't be much else to do.
How to start an online business and formalize it
Before starting to work on your online business, it is important that you have all the legal issues in order. For example, that you are self-employed, or at least you are registered with the Treasury to declare VAT and the benefits you obtain, opt for other legal forms, have a manager or an advisor to help you with these issues, etc.
Start an online marketing strategy
It is something essential because your “market” is really going to be the Internet network and that is where you need to attract customers to be able to retain them and make them buy from you. That is why you have to know how to carry out this process (which we already told you is not overnight) and how to get the most out of it as soon as possible.
And eye, what A marketing strategy not only covers SEO and web positioning, but also content, social networks, email marketing... If you don't define this well, no matter how good your business is, sooner or later it will click.
A visibility strategy can also help with this, as it will make your business better known (through advertising, agencies, etc.).
Once everything is up and running, all you have to do is work and make an effort to make your business known online and be able, in time, to make a living from it if you've done everything right. Do you have an online business that you created from scratch? Can you tell us how was your experience?