The key to success in a small business is efficient organisation. And getting it right from the get-go will see your confidence, productivity and revenue skyrocket! In this blog, I’ll guide you through my top 6 essential steps to get your small business organised from the start. Your future-self will thank you for it!
1.Invest in Google Workspace:
If you know me, you’ll know I love Google Workspace. I think it’s the perfect productivity and organisational tool for any small business starting out. Google Workspace is a cloud-based suite that helps you manage your business effectively. It provides a range of powerful tools such as email, calendars, documents, forms and spreadsheets. You can easily collaborate with your team members in real-time, which is particularly useful when you're working remotely. To get started, you need to sign up for a Google Workspace account and choose the plan that best suits your business needs.
2. Setting up your business email address:
I know it might seem like a small detail, but trust me, a business email address can make a huge difference in how you are perceived by your customers, clients, and partners.
Having a professional-looking email address that includes your business name or website URL can help build trust and credibility with your audience. It shows that you take your business seriously and that you're committed to providing high-quality products or services.
Using a business email address can help you stay organised and manage your communications more efficiently. When you use a personal email address for business, it can quickly become cluttered with personal emails, spam, and other distractions that can make it difficult to keep track of important business-related messages.
You can set up a business email address through your Google Workspace account or with other email providers such as Microsoft Outlook, Flodesk or Yahoo Mail. It’s worth taking the time to do this now rather than wishing you’d done it in six months time (Believe me! I know!).
3. Setting up a business bank account:
Opening a business bank account is an essential step to manage your finances effectively. I know it might seem like a hassle, but it's worth the time and effort. Here's why:
First of all, it will help you keep track of your finances more easily and accurately. When you mix your personal and business finances, it can be difficult to know exactly how much money you're making and spending on your business.
Secondly, having a business bank account can help you build your business's credit history and improve your chances of getting approved for loans, grants or other financing in the future. By showing that you have a separate bank account for your business and that you're managing your finances responsibly, you can demonstrate to lenders and investors that you're a trustworthy and reliable borrower.
You can choose from various banks. Online options include Starling, Anna and Monzo. I’m a fan of Starling - you can separate your money
4. Setting up a website:
A website is an essential tool to promote your business online and reach a broader audience. You can create a website using a website builder or if you have a budget, hire a web developer to design a customised website that suits your business needs. I managed to build my website on Wix. They have fantastic templates which make it easy. I’ve also helped clients build websites within Mailerlite (the email service provider), Google, Wordpress and Squarespace. Do a little research and see which one you feel most comfortable with. If you spot a website you like the look of you can check out what it’s been built with by using the tool - BuiltWith. Ensure your website is mobile-responsive, optimised for search engines, and easy to navigate.
5. Using a digital calendar:
If you're anything like me, you know that staying organised is key to keeping your life and business running smoothly. Using a digital calendar is one of the best ways to do just that!
First off, a digital calendar is always with you. No more forgetting your physical planner at home or losing track of important dates and appointments. With a digital calendar, you can access your schedule from anywhere, at any time, whether you're on your phone, computer, or tablet.
Plus, digital calendars offer a level of flexibility and customisation that physical planners simply can't match. Need to reschedule a meeting? No problem! With a few clicks, you can easily move appointments around without having to cross things out and rewrite them.
And let's not forget about the ability to set reminders and notifications. With a digital calendar, you can receive alerts for important dates, deadlines, and events, so you never miss a thing. It's like having your own personal assistant keeping you on track! In fact you can even share your calendar with your team members.
So if you're ready to take your organisation game to the next level, I highly recommend giving a digital calendar a try. Trust me, you won't regret it!
6. Using SOPs:
You might not be familiar with SOPs. SOP stands for Standard Operating Procedures. They are a set of step-by-step instructions explaining how to complete a task within your business. A SOP can be written, video, flowchart or bullet-point form.
Using SOPs ensures that you have a documented process for each task within your business. A solid SOP will eliminate any confusion and misunderstandings, which ultimately leads to better results and more efficient workflows. And when you start outsourcing work, a new team member can get up to speed quickly by simply following your SOPs.
SOPs will help you maintain consistency and quality control. By outlining the exact steps that need to be taken for each task, you ensure that every output meets your high standards. This not only makes your clients/customers happy, but it also helps you build a reputation for excellence.
I promise you, using SOPs can save you time, energy and money in the long run! Yes, it takes some time to create the procedures, but once you have them in place, you'll be able to complete tasks more quickly and efficiently. Plus, if something goes wrong, you'll have a documented process for troubleshooting, which can save you a lot of headaches (and potentially costly mistakes).
You can create SOPs for all sorts of aspects of your business. For example; keeping track of leads, client onboarding, invoicing, project management, customer support, creating social media posts, uploading blogs onto your website, offboarding clients and asking for feedback.
In conclusion
Running a small online business can be exhausting! BUT it can also be incredibly rewarding. By implementing the six essentials I’ve shared in this blog, you can create an organised and streamlined operation that runs like clockwork. These tools and tech will help you stay on top of your tasks, communicate with your customers, grow your team and grow your business.
Don't underestimate the importance of having a solid foundation for your business. Taking the time to set up these systems and processes now will save you time and money in the long run, and give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're running your business like a pro! So go ahead, take the first step, and start incorporating these essentials into your business today. With a little effort, you'll be well on your way to success!
If you want some more guidance on how to create the ultimate organised online business then download my free handbook. I walk you through all the important steps you need to take so that your business engine room runs smoothly and efficiently. Reducing your stress levels and giving you more time and headspace to be creative with your business and do the things you love.
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