Starting out …

So you have had a brilliant idea for a business, you’ve done the research and found there is a market and decided this is something you really want to do.

You then need to decide on what format your business will take and consider other matters such as accounting, staffing, location and licences – look at the advice on www.gov.uk/set-up-business and more general advice on www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline.

 

 

Still want to start your business? 

What is the next thing to think about?

 

 

• • Name
    Come up with a long list of possible names. To help you shortlist, do internet searches for each possibility and see if there is someone else with the same name and check Companies House and see if the name is registered. Also check on web domain companies to see if the name is used in a domain already. Once you’ve crossed off the impossibles, you can then look again at your possibles.
    Double check the internet for reviews with the same name – a list of ghastly reviews for a something anywhere with the same name could be a turn off for potential customers.

 

• • What’s in a name?
    It’s really good to have a story behind your name – it doesn’t have to have anything at all to do with the type business, it could be the name of your first pet, or a word based on a favourite quotation, or anything that actually means something to you. You can always add an explanation to the name such as Rex Computer Services. A bit of research around the subject of your business is good – the history behind it, any notable names linked to it, any images that immediately crop up when you do internet searches.

 

• • Branding and identity
    Your name becomes your brand. The story behind the name can help with the identity of your brand. If you’ve named Rex Computer services after your first dog, the dog could become your brand identity.

 

• • Website
    A website that can be viewed on a mobile, tablet and desktop not only helps potential customers to firstly find out about your business, but also adds legitimacy to your business and helps to reinforce your brand and identity.

 

• • Social media
    Many people will immediately search on social media for your business to look for reviews, more information and to find out a bit about you personally. If you don’t have time to spend on regular updates, there are lots of companies out there that can do this for you. A simple Facebook page, Twitter account and linkedIn profile with your company name, details, branding and identity is a good starting point. Remember not to use these solely as a selling platform – mix in personal posts and photos so potential customers get to know you – and interact with other accounts.

 

• • Business cards and promotional literature
    When you are starting out you need to get the word out there as many ways as possible. Always have business cards with you – you’ll be really keen to talk about your business so make sure you hand over a card to everyone you speak to about it. Even if they are not interested in using your services, they may well know someone who is. Leaflets, brochures and other promotional literature are good for direct mail campaigns, instantly handing over more information at face to face meetings, and great to leave in suitable venues for passing potential customers.

 

• • Stationery
    It may seem old fashioned to have printed letterheads, but sometimes you do need to provide your registered company address and other details on a business letterhead. It is also a good introduction to other local business to send an individual letter on your new letterhead. Remember, the more often your brand and identity is seen, the more likely it is that a potential customer will start to recognise it and remember you and your business.

 

• • Advertising and signage
    There are lots of different ways to advertise yourself. Posters, banners, signage if you have a shop front, magazine adverts, newspaper articles. If you have a company vehicle or van, it is a large, free advertising hoarding – get vehicle signage. Spread the word, shout about what you do and get yourself noticed.

 

 

So, how can we help you?

We can help with name ideas, branding, identity, promotion, print, signage and websites. We can also suggest some experts to help with social media and marketing.

Have a  look at our branding website, By Jimbo! to see some examples of Jim’s work. We have created some great affordable starter websites and of course we specialise in design and print. We won’t persuade you to go full steam ahead with a load of printing that may not suit you at the present moment – we want your business to flourish so we will give you honest advice. We don’t profess to be experts in all aspects of starting a business but we’ve seen a lot of start-ups come through our doors over the past 16 years and we’re good at what we do.

Talk to us when you feel you’re ready to go – we actually love helping to come up with names too, so if you’re struggling, have a word!