Starting an online business can be rewarding but also challenging, especially when you’re trying to create something that hasn’t been done before or trying to make sense of the massive amount of data and resources available to you on the Internet.
We speak from experience! As the Founders of Skytomato Sdn Bhd, we have spent the last three years learning how to start an online business and countless hours (and Ringgits) on websites, web design software, email newsletters, social media marketing, and content creation and more.
Here are six ways we suggest looking at things when starting your online business journey:
1) We Are Wondering If You Really Need a Website:
Before you start designing your website, ask yourself if a website is really needed for your business.
If what you are selling is something physical or semi-physical, then there’s no doubt you need a website.
However, if you sell a service, such as consulting services or freelance writing work, don’t automatically assume that it needs to have its own website.
In fact, many businesses do quite well without having their own site. They can do so mainly because they market themselves in other ways.
So before you go spending money on a new website, consider whether you might be able to reach your target audience through other means first.
Some common marketing channels that don’t require a website are:
- Email newsletters
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
- YouTube or other video-sharing sites
- Podcasts
- Blogging (on someone else’s site)
There are many other ways to market your business without a website, so don’t feel like you HAVE to have one in order to be successful.
2) We Want To Sell More Than Just Your Products:
When starting an online business, getting caught up in the idea of selling products is easy.
But if you want to be successful, you need to sell more than just products. You need to sell solutions to your customer’s problems.
The best way to do this is by creating content that educates, entertains, or both.
By providing helpful and informative content, you will build trust with your audience and position yourself as an expert in your industry. And when people see you as an expert are more likely to do business with you.
Here are some ideas for content that you can create:
- Blog posts
- Videos
- Infographics
- Podcasts
- eBooks
- Guides
- Courses
The sky is the limit when it comes to content, so get creative and think about what would be most helpful for your target audience.
Keep in mind that your goal is to provide value first and foremost, and the sales will follow.
3) We Believe You Should Focus on ONE Thing:
When you’re first starting out, it’s tempting to try to do everything at once. But the truth is, you can’t be all things to all people. It’s important to focus on one thing and do it well.
You might be thinking, “But I have so many great ideas! How can I choose just one?” The answer is, you don’t have to choose just one. You can always create more businesses down the road. But for now, it’s important to focus on making your first business successful.
So what should you do if you have multiple ideas? The best thing to do is choose the one you are most passionate about. Because if you’re not passionate about it, you’re not going to stick with it.
It’s also important to choose an idea you have experience with. For example, starting a web design business is probably a good idea if you’re a web designer. But if you have no experience in web design, then it might be better to choose something else.
4) Customer Service Will Always Come First:
We know that customers can be frustrating, especially when they’re having trouble with your product or service. But our philosophy is that it’s probably our fault if a customer has a problem. It’s up to us to fix it and do so quickly and efficiently. The way we see it, we don’t really exist unless people are using our stuff, so every interaction with a customer should reflect that importance.
This is why customer service will always come first at our company. No matter how big we get or how many employees we have, we will always prioritize the needs of our customers. They are the reason we exist, and we will never forget that.
5) Don't Underestimate The Power Of Advertising:
Many people think that advertising is a thing of the past, or that it’s ineffective. But the truth is that advertising is still one of the most powerful marketing tools available. And if you know how to use it correctly, it can be extremely effective.
Of course, there are a lot of different ways to advertise, and you need to find the right method for your business. But some of the most common and effective methods include:
- Google AdWords
- Facebook Ads
- Instagram Ads
- YouTube Ads
There are many other options as well, so do some research and find the best fit for your business. And don’t be afraid to experiment because you never know what might work.
FAQs
Get all the information you need to make an informed decision, right here to check out the answer to some frequently asked questions.
Conclusion:
If you’re starting an online business, it’s important to have a clear perspective on what you’re doing. Here are five ways to look at things from our point of view so that you can make the most of your website and start generating sales. Thanks for reading! We hope this article has been helpful in giving you some ideas about how to approach your online business. If you need help with your website design, SEO, or Google Ads, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’d be happy to assist you in any way we can.
We combine insightful and creative digital strategy with cutting-edge technology to deliver a full suite of web management services from infrastructure to website design and digital marketing strategies.