According to research done by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, up to 20% of small businesses fail within their first year.
It can occur for various reasons, such as too much competition, poor customer service, or not enough marketing.
Therefore, if you open a small business there will be a lot of risks. To mitigate those risks you need to be prepared.
Here are four tips for running a successful and profitable small business in Georgia.
SEO is a marketing term you’ve probably heard of so much that you’re sick of it. It can seem like a vague, unreachable concept for small businesses, but don’t let the words of others scare you. Optimizing your business for search engines is easy and necessary if you want your company to flourish. So, here’s an easy guide to what SEO is and why your business needs it.
If you have an auto shop, it’s important to make safety a priority. Auto body shops aren’t devoid of hazards, and these things can hurt your customers or your employees. You need to be conscious of the risks of your shop so you can take steps to mitigate them. That being said, here are a few tips to help you lower the risk of something happening to either one of your employees or one of your customers.
If your business is in a coastal area, you may be fully aware of the benefits of commercial flood insurance. However, even if you’re not in a flood-prone area, there are still tons of factors that could cause your business to flood. The worst part is, your standard commercial insurance policy won’t cover the damages due to this unforeseen incident. But how much of a risk does your company really have of flooding? Why aren’t you covered for flooding in a business insurance policy? And how can you protect your business and livelihood from flood damage? Here’s where we’ll give you a rundown.
Commercial flood insurance is a type of business insurance policy that can help you repair damages to your company building due to flooding and help you replace your inventory or office equipment because of flooding.
You may be thinking, “Doesn’t my regular business insurance policy cover the structure of my business location and my commercial property?” Yes, it does. The big BUT, though, is that business insurance policies specifically exclude flood damage. A regular commercial property or liability policy doesn’t include coverage for certain types of water damage, including flooding.
We’ve learned that a typical business insurance policy won’t cover damage due to flooding. So, when you add flood insurance to your coverage, what exactly does it cover? Well, flood insurance for a business can cover expenses like:
Again, if you’re not in a flood or storm-prone area, you may ask yourself, “Why would I even need flood insurance?” However, statistics show that all 50 states have experienced floods and flood damage. Data also shows that:
Plus, flooding isn’t only a result of hurricanes or heavy rains. Floods can happen because of:
So, yeah. Flood insurance can be an extremely important addition to your business insurance.
Valid flood insurance can come from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). However, you can’t buy it directly from the organization. You must purchase a policy from an agent or agency that participates in the NFIP (like us! Give us a call today to start getting customized flood insurance quotes for your business.)
There are a few things to keep in mind before you buy, though. If you’re in a high-risk area for flooding, you may be required to get commercial flood insurance for your building. If you’re in a low-risk area for flooding and you still want to get flood insurance, you may qualify for a Preferred Risk flood insurance policy, which can cost and cover a bit less. Flood coverage also may have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. So, buying flood insurance at the last minute before a storm or hurricane could still mean trouble for your business.
Flood insurance policies can vary. This is because the cost of flood insurance will be different from business to business, depending on certain factors. Usually, carriers determine the price of your commercial flood insurance from factors such as:
The good news is that NFIP commercial flood insurance policies can cover up to $500,000 of your building’s contents and $500,000 for the structure of the building itself.
You can also save money on your commercial flood insurance by taking preventative measures. Some of the most effective are:
Additionally, you’ll want to form a flood emergency plan for your business to make sure your employees are safe and that damages to your company are minimized. Some tips you may want to consider are:
In a pinch, you’ll need to know exactly how to shut off your company’s electricity, water, and gas. This way, none of these power supplies can cause more damage to your property and the flood water damage to those utility lines.
You should already have a contact list of numbers and other ways to reach your employees in an emergency. Additionally, your flood plan should include a list of useful phone numbers for your company posted in an easily found location. Include the numbers of your local government, your insurance carrier, additional flood warning systems, services for your building, your building manager, your suppliers, and any emergency contacts for your business overall.
As a part of hiring or continuing education for the employees of your specific business, include proper flood safety measures for individuals, flood protocol for your company, and evacuation procedures. Make sure everyone knows where to find pertinent phone numbers and establish a meeting place is everyone suddenly needs to evacuate.
Finally, create an emergency supply for your business. It will look a little different from your personal home emergency kit, but there are still some vital pieces you’ll need to have stocked at your commercial location. Stock up on materials like first aid kits, plastic sheeting, plywood, flood boards, sandbags, nails, hammers, and shovels. That way, the materials you need are on hand, and no one is running out to get an important supply in dangerous conditions.
Keep your flood plan in an easily accessible location so everyone can refer to it at any time.
Make sure your employees are trained on proper flood safety procedures. Designate an emergency flood contact and a safe meeting place if everyone suddenly needs to evacuate. Create a flood continuity and contact plan for your suppliers and clients.
You can get started on business insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.
Building a website for your business now can be a lot like putting your name out there on a billboard or print advertisement a few decades ago. However, it’s not enough to place information on the internet. Just as there were certain practices and key points to include in traditional advertising, there are just as many factors to consider when curating your company website. So, here are some tips on just how to make the best digital footprint for your company.
If you’re not paying attention to search engine optimization (SEO), your website is as good as nonexistent. Optimizing your business’s website for search engines is the main way to have your brand seen over everyone else’s. However, SEO is much more than loading up your webpage with keywords. In fact, doing so could hurt your website more than help it.
Instead, optimize your content by:
For example, a “website developer in Chicago” is a lot vaguer and will have a lot more competition for the top search result than “a full-stack PHP developer in Naperville.”
If people don’t like using your website, they’re not going to stick around to learn more about your company. Heavily loaded navigation bars and demanding plugins can make a website look complicated and run at a snail’s pace. People don’t hang around waiting for things to load – every second of speed counts.
So, check your website speed with an online tool every so often. Make sure the information you want your clients to find is easily visible and/or readily available. If you add a navigation bar at the top of your page, everything should be clearly labeled without too many drop-down menus stemming from one section. Use plugins as sparingly as you can, and use picture resizing tools to make larger images load quickly.
Most people only skim websites for the information that they’re looking for. If there’s a huge block of text, most people probably won’t read it at all.
To create content that’s easy to digest, use header tags to break up bits of information and draw attention to important points. Doing so gives potential clients a way to more readily find the information they need. Plus, header tags are a vital part of how Google determines the main ideas of your site to rank your webpage higher in its search results.
Additionally, if you must put a large amount of text under one header, break your thoughts into smaller paragraphs, lists, or graphics. The less intimidating your text looks, the better.
With the ease and accessibility of website builders, it can be tempting to go a little crazy with templates, designs, fonts, etc. However, this can be a kiss of death for a website. Not every element available for a webpage compliments the other. If you include too many different pieces, your webpage could give your potential clients too much visual “noise.” Too much visual “noise”, and your clients can’t determine which information is relevant to what they’re looking for and what isn’t.
Instead, choose two or three colors that compliment your web design. Color schemes shouldn’t be too bright, but not every color has to be neutral. Go easy on using different font types, too.
We have the power of supercomputers in the palms of our hands. It’s no wonder that most people today use their phones to access the internet. Therefore, not having a mobile version of your site severely cuts down the number of clients you could reach.
Meet your potential customers where they are by making your website mobile-friendly. It may sound super complicated, but these days, most website builders can do it automatically. It can be as easy as adding a mobile-friendly website to your regular webpage domain, or it may be included in a design template you’re already using.
Your business website doesn’t do any good if people don’t know how to contact you to actually buy your product or service. So, make sure that your contact information is readily available throughout your website. The easiest way to do that is to include the name of your company, your business address, your company phone number and your email in the header and footer of the site. If your business has social media channels (and it should), include icons for people to engage with you on those platforms as well.
Having valuable content on your website can be a great way to build your brand and keep your website active. The more active your website is, the more likely Google is to recommend and rank your page highly. Google wants to show people current information because it’s usually more relevant. Think about it – would you be more likely to visit a website that hasn’t been updated in 15 years or 1 year? Of course, there are some bits of information that will remain true throughout the years, but for the most part, Google recognizes the types of content that stay updated regularly.
Updating your website with articles about your industry, office activities, and insight is not only an easy way to keep your webpage updated, but an amazing way to market your business as a whole. No one else has your perspectives on your industry or your specific experiences. Creating articles and content around these aspects allows potential customers to see your passion and professionalise, distinguishing your company above the rest and adding a personal touch.
Even if you have a unique business, there may still be several others in your industry who you could learn from. Look at other successful businesses in your industry to see how they’ve laid out their websites, how they’ve optimized their online presence, and what kind of content has proven valuable to their customers. Seeing examples could give you a better idea of what your target audience will search to find you. That way, you can put your own spin on what works.
Overall, your online presence could take some time to curate, but building a webpage that works for you can be well worth the time and effort. A professional looking site builds a trustworthy image for your business before you even communicate with a customer. So does having the right business insurance. Our agents have decades of experience under their belts to help you grow your company and protect you and your customers for whatever comes your way. To start getting free, customized quotes on affordable business insurance, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!
Atlanta has no shortage of things to do, places to be, and community personalities to uncover. But what if you want your business to be the place to be? Where in Atlanta is the best place for your business? Let’s find out.
First off, you’ll need to know your business’s brand inside and out. What are your business goals? What message do you want your company to add to the city? Who are the groups of people you want to cater to? These are all important factors in not only starting your business, but developing a company voice and marketing it. Once you’ve got an idea of your brand, you can start thinking about choosing an Atlanta neighborhood.
Now that you’ve determined your business’s brand, which Atlanta neighborhood shares the personality of that brand? These are some of the most popular locales for new businesses and their distinct vibes.
Doraville is located just on the northeast outskirts of I-285. When you cross the city limits, you can immediately tell that it’s a cultural hub to the melting pot that is Atlanta. There are a good handful of chain restaurants and establishments, but there are plenty of local businesses with Hispanic, Eastern Asian, and even Greek roots. The most well-known place to find these businesses is Buford Highway, which also offers a host of international food and farmers markets. If you have a company with international flair or a restaurant with regional or fusion tastes, you’ll definitely want to consider Doraville as your location.
This area is where little-known, cozy, offbeat businesses thrive. The Decatur/Little 5 Points area is still within Atlanta’s perimeter, so there’s no shortage of traffic. The difference is, you’ll find more foot traffic than cars. The area is entirely walkable and home to one of Atlanta’s most famous eateries, The Vortex Bar & Grill. However, as well known as it is, The Vortex only has two locations, which reflects the personalities of the small businesses surrounding the burger bar – even if the location itself is huge. Even larger chains like Starbucks have modeled their Decatur/Little 5 locations after the feeling of the locale. If you’re a specialty shop in things like records or jewelry or a business with a local coffeehouse feel, you’d probably do well in Decatur or Little 5 Points.
West Midtown is an up-and-coming industrial part of the Atlanta area. Shops and businesses have either a minimalistic feel or an old-style brick exterior. In parts of West Midtown, you may actually miss a restaurant, shop, or café entirely by mistaking it for a warehouse. The area also hosts the Georgia Tech and GCSU campuses closer to the center of Midtown. So, when moving toward and past the universities, the area is, again, very walkable. In fact, with all the foot traffic of college students and the winding, confusing roads of Atlanta, it’s probably best if you walk or bike around. If your business has an industrial feel with elegant undertones, West Midtown is probably the Atlanta neighborhood for you.
Downtown Marietta is very much the small-town version of Little 5. Since the area is in the suburbs of Atlanta, shops are a bit more spread out and a little quieter, with just enough hustle and bustle to keep things interesting. You’ll find a ton of cool specialty shops and restaurants around the historic squares while still being able to find a place to park. There are also regular events that draw people to picnic, bike, play, and generally enjoy the green space among tons of things to do. If your business would be a cute place to happen upon on a beautiful day, you might enjoy the customers that downtown Marietta will bring.
Alpharetta and Roswell may be one of the best examples of high-class suburbia (along with Vinings, but more on that in a minute). The area is full of large department stores, as well as two huge malls/shopping centers, North Point Mall and Avalon. Nonetheless, this neighborhood hosts tons of suburban gems for shops. As much as people are drawn to large shops for their knee-jerk shopping needs, they’re also willing to check out any new specialty shops that come around. If you’re willing to cater to the occasional shop adventurer looking for items and foods a little off the beaten path, Alpharetta and Roswell might be for your company.
Vinings and the Cumberland area may seem like an upscale option for chain stores, but rest assured, there are tons of hidden treasures to be found. A lot of businesses in the area gather their customer base through word-of-mouth. Don’t worry if you don’t have a loyal fan base built up. People in this area love to explore new companies that seem to pop up overnight. There are also numerous national and regional chains around to draw customers closer to your location. If you don’t mind doing a bit more advertising and want a quiet, but busy place to draw customers in, the Vinings/Cumberland area could be the best to start or grow your business.
Buckhead is known as one of the ritziest neighborhoods in the area. You’ll notice tons of skyscrapers full of big-name financial companies and headquarters of well-known brands. Even big-name stores like Target and CVS have supersized locations to match the feel. But there are also a handful of elegant spaces to get away from the suit-and-tie atmosphere. The bars, lounges, and small shop spaces are undeniably high-class and high-fashion. Nonetheless, Buckhead is a skip, hop, and a jump away from Brookhaven and Atlantic Station, where just as many big and small shops light up the Atlanta skyline. If your shop or restaurant is going for a low-key, after-work refuge kind of vibe, this area might be for you.
We could go on and on about the different neighborhoods of Atlanta, from the elegant, indie feel of Ponce City Market to the hustle and bustle of a city outside the city, John’s Creek. The only way to truly get an idea of the best vibe for your business may just be to visit. In any case, it’s always a good idea to explore! But hopefully, this list will give you a good idea of what the city has to offer and which Atlanta neighborhood could be a good fit for your business.
Wherever you choose to start or spread your business, make sure you have the right business insurance by contacting our agents. We’ll get to know your company to determine what you need and give you free, customized quotes on the right coverage. To start getting affordable rates on business insurance, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with an agent today.
Traditional marketing can sometimes seem impersonal or kitschy. It seems much more genuine if a potential customer hears a glowing review about your business from someone with first-hand experience. These referrals used to only happen by a customer telling someone that they knew personally. However, now that we have the internet, there are tons of ways that a customer can get the word out about your company – good or bad. The most popular way is through online reviews. So, how can you make sure your customers give you great online reviews to boost your business? Find out here.
If you provide the best customer service you can, people can’t help but want to spread the news! So, if you sell a product, create a rigorous quality control process so that the product can last as long as the customer needs it. Back up your product with a warranty or with a great customer service team that can address any concerns that come up.
If you provide a service, make sure your team is polite, resourceful, and helpful. Actively listen when determining the needs of your customers. Be transparent and helpful when things are going well. Be responsive and show your client that you’ll go above and beyond to help if they have an issue. You’d be surprised at how much someone can change their impression of you if their problem is handled with great care.
In general, the best way to get anything is to ask for it. So, ask for the reviews you deserve! There will be a few people who just can’t keep word about you to themselves, but a majority of customers will leave with a smile and continue about their day. Remind them to tell a friend (or the internet) by asking for an online review.
Just as you’re busy running a bustling business, your customers are busy leading their own lives and running through their days. So, they may forget to specifically search for your company to leave a review. Instead, make it as easy as possible for them to leave a review. Email them asking to rate you five stars on Google, but actually include a link that puts them on Google’s review form with five stars. Try including a QR code on your business card or somewhere visible within your building. Then, people can simply snap a photo with a QR reader to leave a review.
If you’re using a phone survey or a proprietary questionnaire, make sure it’s short, sweet, and to the point. People don’t usually have the time or want the hassle of dealing with a drawn-out survey. So, make it easy for them to get in, give their feedback, and get out.
Decide on the review platform or platforms that work for people to find your business, and stick with it. Make a habit of asking for reviews somewhere in your sales process. If your customers allow you to contact them after you’ve provided their service, include an automated system that asks them for a review. (Just don’t be pushy.)
Different types of clients find the services they need in different ways. So, if you get a new client, ask how they found you. If you hear a lot of the same answer, consider asking for feedback on that particular platform going forward. An easy review platform to start with is Google, but your particular industry might have more success with Yelp or Facebook or Angie’s List or the Better Business Bureau. Just find out what works for you and focus on the platform that can benefit you the most.
One way to get more online reviews is to show customers that their feedback really matters. So, if you spy new reviews, thank your customer for taking the time to provide feedback. If you see low ratings or issues that people are reporting, respond asking to contact them and resolve the issue. Take reasonable feedback into account to better your business for a grumpy client or any new customers. That way, you have a clearer idea of how to grow and improve your customer service.
Having the right business insurance can also help boost your business. It shows customers that your company can cover the worst-case scenario, whether for your business or for them. our agents can make shopping for the right business insurance easy. We’ll get to know your company and find customized quotes on affordable, quality coverage. To get started, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today.
Source:
One of the biggest things that can put someone out of business is failing to properly budget. In a city like Atlanta, setting up a business can seem entirely too expensive. However, business in the big city doesn’t have to have a big budget if you know how to plan. So, we’ve put together 10 tips for proper budgeting.
Just as there are with business plans, there are tons of resources on the internet to show you sample business budgets. Search for these types of budgets or the actual budgets of other companies in your industry to get an idea of how you’ll need to spend your money. Of course, you’ll need to customize your budget based on location, specific inventory or practices, etc. But those resources are a great place to start.
You’ll need to know exactly what you need for your business and your industry. So, when you look at the sample budgets you’ve found, list the things that you know for a fact you’ll need to account for. Make note of the things you need to buy right away and what you can save for later.
Your team, especially your management team, should be on the same page when understanding where your money is going and why. Be as specific as possible when explaining the budget and answer any questions that arise. It can help bring up specifics that you forgot to address and help everyone abide by the master plan long-term.
Similarly, it may help to have a team specifically for budgeting and accounting. Hire and partner with the people in your company who are good at numbers and money and all that fun stuff. Knowing that you don’t have to do it alone can help you think more clearly and get great advice from people with more experience. Make sure your budgeting team knows the specifics of your business too so that you plan a budget that fits your business, not just a generic outline.
It’s easy to get lost in big dreams about starting and growing your business. It’s also easy to buy or hire more than you need. So, make sure that you’re growing steadily and budgeting within your means. Use past data and make data-driven projections to make your budget, not just estimates.
Additionally, being realistic means being prepared for disaster. So, when things are good, make sure you’re saving some of those profits for when the going gets rough.
You probably don’t have the financial needs that you needed 2 or 5 years ago, so you shouldn’t expect your business to either. If you’ve been in business for a while and you haven’t revised your budget based on your current needs, it may be time to review and adjust the way you need to.
If you do need to shift your budget to different places, understand that you only have a certain amount of money. So, if you have to move money to one department or one resource, then you have to take it from something else. Everything about your business has to be about balance and flexibility. So, don’t be afraid of the changes you may have to make!
Not being specific with your goals and where you put your funds can be a recipe for disaster. It’s okay to assign your budget generally, but then break it down to bite-sized pieces. If you have a budget for your Marketing department: How much will you dedicate to salaries? How much will you devote to materials? What amount will it take to build your brand? How much will you spend each month on supplies? Will you dedicate money to travel? Think about all of the little details that go into one large section before you plan for another.
Additionally, make a system to keep track of where your funds go. Whether it’s software, file cabinets, or something else, make a system to keep up with receipts, expense reports, etc. Designate a specific time to review your expenses. Don’t let things pile up during the year to cause a headache later. Create a quarterly or even a monthly schedule to go over your reports and adjust if needed.
There are tons of budgeting software options. Many people use Quickbooks to balance their business budget, but that may not be the best system for you. Electronic systems are the best way to keep everything organized, searchable, and in one place. However, the most popular type of software used may not be the one that works for you. Do your research, schedule demos of different products, and learn which software would work best for how you operate on a daily basis.
One of the most important expenses you may have as a company can be business insurance. You’ll need to consider what types of coverage you need generally and for your specific business. Take note of your local laws for coverage, and how high of a coverage limit you’ll need for something catastrophic. Consider what would happen if your business shut down and you couldn’t pay rent. How much money would it take to replace your inventory after a storm? What would happen if a customer sued you because you unintentionally gave the wrong advice? These are some of the questions you would need to ask yourself or that your agent would ask you to get the right business insurance.
We understand that, as a business owner, you have a lot on your plate. That’s why our insurance professionals take a bit of your time to get to know your business and its specific risks to get the best quotes at the best rates for you. To start getting customized business quotes, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!
Source:
Starting a business doesn’t just mean putting a price on your goods or services. It’s making sure that your customer base has trust in the things you sell above any other maker. But how can you establish this trust when you’re just starting out? You need to build a brand for your company. Here are 7 tips on how.
The first step to building a brand is to know what makes your specific business different. Consumers can go anywhere for certain goods and services, so what makes your company the one they should turn to? The easiest answer is usually your specific knowledge and industry experience.
No one can look at the world through your eyes. So, if you’re providing a good, no one can craft that object like you can. If you provide a service, no one else approaches things the exact same way you do. However, it’s important to be specific when identifying this difference as you build a brand.
If you’re constantly changing the voice and the image that you put out to the world, people will have a tough time remembering your business. To help keep your brand consistent, take some time to write down the core objectives, values, and mission of your company. That way, you have a solid foundation of beliefs and goals for your business even as it changes.
When building trust in your products, it’s important to know your audience and tailor your brand accordingly. Consider the type of voice that your potential clients will want to interact with. Usually, a company’s unique voice stems from its particular industry and its business location. For instance, a craft beer brewing company in Oakland, CA will have a completely different way of communicating with customers than a five-star restaurant in Washington D.C.
Practice interacting with potential clients using your unique voice, and make sure you sound the same across all of your business platforms, not just your website. Carrying your brand voice throughout your company’s social media profiles, chat responses, and even phone calls will give people something to remember and find your business when they need it.
Once you’ve established your core values and your voice, you’ll need a way to advertise so you can build your brand. The easiest method of advertising today is the Internet, where potential customers will most likely search for the services you provide. With tools like WordPress and Wix, it’s easy to make a professional-looking website.
Even if you don’t think you have enough time or skill to use those tools, there are tons of websites that allow you to connect to freelancers who will develop a website for you. Either way, make sure that the content, colors, font, and general aesthetic of your site matches your company voice.
Once you start acquiring customers, the easiest way to build their trust is by keeping any promises you may make about your business. Communicate promptly and clearly about your scope of work. Stick to turnaround times when making goods, offer proper assistance and guidance when providing services, and let your customer know as soon as possible if any hiccups happen along the way.
There’s no better endorsement for your business than the ones that come from behind the scenes. If you have employees, firstly make sure that they are trained and onboarded properly – including safety training. Ensure that they understand the company’s mission and values in order to represent you in a positive light.
Create a pleasant and comfortable work environment and find different ways to build teamwork skills. When people see that your employees enjoy the company they work for, it shows clients that they could enjoy working with you on their needs.
Similarly, get your customers to be your biggest brand ambassadors. Some companies have spent years and even decades relying on word-of-mouth marketing instead of traditional advertising. We’re not saying that this is the only method you should use, but word-of-mouth travels a lot faster these days with the rise of the internet. Plus, when people search for a new service, they look for the impressions that other people had about that product. So, if your customers are loyal and like the work that you do, ask them to tell the world!
Building trust by building a brand that’s consistent can seem like a difficult task, but it’s really quite simple. These are just some of the ways you can connect with your customers and build a great reputation before someone even walks through your doors.
Having the right business insurance can also help you build trust in your brand. our agents can help you get the business insurance you need for your clients at the rates you deserve. To start getting customized quotes on affordable, quality coverage, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with and insurance professional today.
Source:
https://ducttapemarketing.com/successful-small-business-brand/
If you’re a business owner, one of your worst nightmares might be a fire striking and burning down your premises. Many small businesses never reopen after a disaster like a fire because the expenses are so high. You have to pay to have the premises rebuilt, plus there’s the lost income you face from the time that you were closed. To avoid a fire-related property insurance claim, check out these fire prevention and preparation tips – they’ll also help you keep your employees safe.