Starting a business is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. There are many things to consider and mistakes to avoid in order to make sure your business is successful. We have compiled a list of common mistakes new business owners make and how to avoid them.

Failing to Personalize Your Company's Website

Your website is the first place potential customers go to get a better understanding of your business, so it's important that you make sure it looks professional and provides a great customer experience. Make sure to optimize your website with personalized features such as product recommendations, personalized content, and targeted promotions. This will not only create more personalized experiences for customers but also increase sales.

Having No Business or Marketing Strategy

It’s important to have both a business plan and a marketing plan in place before launching your business. A business plan outlines your goals, strategies, resources, and financial projections, while a marketing plan focuses on how you will reach potential customers through various channels such as social media and email campaigns. Having these plans in place will help ensure that you have the necessary foundation for success from day one.

Not Joining Your Chamber of Commerce

By joining your chamber of commerce, you open yourself up to new opportunities and resources, including networking events, seminars, discounts on business supplies and services, and more. You also gain access to a variety of marketing tools, such as email newsletters and online directories. 

What’s more, being part of the chamber helps create a sense of credibility for your company by showcasing that you are an active member of the local business community. Learn more about membership benefits with the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce!

Not Sticking to Your Budget

Creating and sticking to a budget is essential when starting any new business venture. Establishing a budget will help you manage expenses and ensure that you are making wise investments in your business that will pay off over time. It’s also important to track income so that you know where every penny of profit goes back into the company.

Keeping an eye on your income and expenses is easy to do if you use spreadsheets to track your numbers. You can use a program like Excel to create spreadsheets, and then you can convert them to PDFs that you can easily share with your staff members and investors. There are lots of resources that can help you keep these spreadsheets organized. For example, here’s a handy one if you need to rotate a PDF online so it faces the correct direction. You can also utilize merging, editing, and digital signature tools.

Assuming You Can Handle It All by Yourself

As much as we all like to think we can do it all ourselves, this isn’t always the case when it comes to running a successful business. Consider hiring employees who specialize in areas where you may not have the expertise or simply don’t have time such as accounting or web design/development. This will free up more of your time so that you can focus on other aspects of growing your business, such as networking or expanding into new markets.

Not Registering Your Company as an LLC

Registering your business as an LLC offers the assurance of protection from personal liability in the face of financial or legal issues. Any debts or lawsuits directed at the company would not be extended to any individual members, shielding their personal assets. This form of protection is invaluable for companies with multiple owners or partners, providing a sense of security and peace of mind. There are six steps to complete to file a New York LLC, but you can save time by working with a formation service.

Employing the Wrong Personnel

When starting a new business venture, it is important to hire employees who possess the necessary skill set for the task. It is equally important to ensure that these employees share the same values as you in regard to customer service, honesty, and integrity. Choosing personnel with compatible values ensures that everyone on the team has a common goal in mind, which is essential for creating a successful work environment.

Not Using a Project Management Platform

A project management platform provides businesses with a centralized location to manage all aspects of their projects, allowing them to streamline workflows, improve communication, and increase productivity. With a project management platform, teams can assign tasks, set deadlines, track progress, and collaborate in real time, ensuring everyone is on the same page. 

Additionally, these platforms offer advanced analytics and reporting features, providing valuable insights and data that can be used to improve project performance and make data-driven decisions.

Starting a new business can be exciting, but it can also be intimidating. Taking the time to do some research and make informed decisions beforehand can give you extra peace of mind when taking the plunge. Establishing a budget, registering as an LLC, and utilizing a project management platform are just a few things that you should consider before starting your business. Doing so should ensure that you're making informed choices throughout the process.

Join the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce to get access to our abundance of resources that will help your business succeed!