From the advancement of technology to endless new possibilities, it’s truly never been easier to start your own business. However, simply coming up with a unique business idea and attractive offerings is no longer enough. Modern companies need to look professional from the very beginning as well, enabling them to make a great first impression, attract audiences, and accelerate growth and success. To achieve this same goal, here are some ways you can make your business appear more professional:
Get a dedicated phone number
Answering the phone with a classic “hello” instead of a professional greeting won’t inspire much confidence. That is exactly why you need a separate phone number for your company. This will allow you to respond appropriately in case you receive a text message, phone call, or email regarding your business. Thankfully, you don’t have to splurge on an expensive company landline these days if you don’t want to. You can also add a second line to your current cellphone if your device can support it, or even use an affordable specialized service for getting a professional phone number.
Invest in a good company logo
While hiring a graphic designer might not be at the top of your list, there’s a reason why all successful companies invest in this aspect of branding. People tend to notice images before words, meaning that an impactful logo and unique color palette can make any business instantly recognizable. Your company needs this as well to increase its chances of success, especially if these elements are consistently used across different platforms such as your website, social media pages, business cards, marketing material, etc. To save some money on this aspect, you can outsource graphic design to freelancers on websites like Fiverr.
Enhance your professional space
If clients and employees are going to be visiting your company, your office space has to look professional as well. Australian business owners, for instance, are well aware of this fact, which is why the appearance of their physical locations is often a priority. They tend to hire fitout specialists to help streamline their projects. Such professionals can design, plan, and construct a workplace in a way that suits the needs of each company while providing functionality and conveying professionalism as well. You should consider similar services when establishing a business address.
Set up an attractive website
Every business needs a website. It doesn’t have to be too elaborate in the beginning, but it needs to be sleek, professional, and easy to use. More importantly, your site has to convey all the necessary business information audiences have to know, such as your business hours, contact details, products and services, etc. If you can’t invest in web development, there are a number of platforms that will enable you to create a simple yet attractive website yourself. For more extensive needs, however, hiring a professional developer is recommended.
Use a business email address
Your personal email account won’t appear professional, and it will present some security risks when doing business as well. To avoid this mistake, aim to get an email address that corresponds with your domain name – it’s easy and inexpensive. Most web hosts will provide this as a service. If not, you also have the option of utilizing a G Suite email for a couple of dollars a month. This will also give you an email address that matches your domain name, which will look much better and more professional than a typical @gmail.com address.
Establish a social media presence
Along with developing a good website, you should also strengthen your online presence by expanding on social media. Find out where your target audience spends the most time, and build profiles on those social media platforms. Make your pages look as professional as possible, ensure the branding is consistent, and convey all the necessary information. Posting relevant content regularly on these platforms would be ideal for attracting and engaging audiences. But at the very least, you should grab the best handles for your company early on, before someone else manages to do so.
With a bit of advanced planning, your business can look much more professional and trustworthy. The tips mentioned above represent just some of the many small basic steps you can take to put your best professional foot forward.