Many entrepreneurs begin with a great idea and then try to figure out how they’re going to make it work. Over time they may be securing premises and employing staff or looking at product design and marketing. It’s unlikely that one person will possess all the necessary skills to get the company off the ground. They’ll soon discover the perks of using dedicated hosting for their business or getting advice from external consultants or companies.
Perhaps you are just starting out with a new business enterprise. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the key services that may be able to help you succeed.
IT Support
Startup founders often don’t initially realize how much their business’ success depends upon reliable computer systems and internet connectivity. If someone’s laptop crashes or the wifi connection is lost it doesn’t matter how great your product or website may be, because you’ll be severely limited without access to your email or online tools.
Generally, companies who have more technical needs will want dedicated in-house technology staff or an outside team that can provide remote services. When it comes to IT support for Startups you can learn a lot online by visiting specialist websites. They can help you identify your IT support needs and find local solutions. You can discover the priorities and specialties of local tech support providers before you conduct interviews and make your final decision.
Website Designers
Having a great website is often key to success or failure since it’s usually how customers will initially learn about your products or services. This especially applies if people don’t already know you on social media channels like Facebook or Twitter. You could try designing a website yourself because there are tons of free templates out there. Having said that, it’s best to get a professional to do the job unless you’re good with HTML, CSS and Javascript. External companies can also create something that is more bespoke for your needs.
Outside specialists can help make sure your website presents a clear brand. They can also enhance the navigation and make sure it runs equally well on PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Considering your website will be the central hub of your online activities, it’s crucial that you don’t cut corners in this area.
SEO Services
Their job is to make your website discoverable online when people are searching for the things that you provide. 97% of users never look past page one on Google search results, so it’s key that a professional company can optimize your company website.
The professionals can make sure your web pages (including blogs) are populated with key search words and strong call-to-action messages. They’ll also help you ensure your social media posts are SEO optimized and that they direct online traffic to your sales pages.
An Accountant
Organizing your finances is an important part of running any business, but it can be especially challenging for startups to manage the books without outside help. The last thing you’ll want to do is miss tax submissions to the IRS or get your figures wrong. If you do, you could incur penalties or even be closed down as a result. An accountant can help you set up a bookkeeping system and file quarterly or yearly taxes, as well as keep track of payments due (and what’s already been paid) throughout the year.
The right accountant will also give you valuable advice on what record-keeping practices are best suited for your company size and type – whether that means using online tools like FreshBooks or Xero or organizing paper receipts, or a mix of both. The costs will vary depending on what kind of service you need (e.g. full-service or tax prep and filing only), but it’s generally more affordable than you might think. In time you may even be able to outsource your payroll functions or even your entire HR department.
A Lawyer
There are many lawyers who specialize in business law, including patents, trademarks and intellectual property law. Not only will having an IP lawyer help you protect your product or idea from being stolen by others, but it can also lay the groundwork for protecting your company’s patents in the future if need be.
When you go to register your startup, a trusted lawyer will have access to a list of company names and accounts. They will also give advice on the right jurisdiction for your company as well as other factors such as tax laws to consider. In addition, they can help you prepare all the necessary documentation required by Companies House. This includes secretarial services that file company documents at Companies House each year or when new shareholders are appointed, or an increase in share capital is made. You can also gain valuable help and advice on things like employment law.
A Marketing Company
A marketing company can help you design your social media strategy and create content for it. They will also come up with the best times of day to post on each platform, based on research showing when people are most likely to be online. They can help you come up with your brand’s voice and even create and oversee your marketing campaigns (e.g. Google Ads, Facebook Ads, email marketing).
Marketing companies may also be able to build landing pages for your website, optimize it for SEO purposes, or help you with your marketing materials (including business cards and brochures).
Content Marketing Companies
They will create original content about you and/or the products that you offer to post on sites like Medium, The Huffington Post or individual blog pages. They can also help edit posts before publishing them online, keeping everything consistent with your style guide.
These have been some of the major areas where outside assistance could be of use to you. You may also appoint someone to oversee your customer service, dealing with phone calls or emails on your behalf. With the help of specialist companies, you can create a quality business that will prosper and grow for many years to come.
