According to a report by Statista, 1.79 billion people shopped for goods and services online in 2019. This marked an increase of over 1.66 billion people compared to the year 2018. Despite the perpetual growth in online business, 90% of these businesses still fail within the first year of establishment. Put simply; you have to work harder to be among the few that survive and grow. How do you do this? Well, let us shed light on some core tips that will make you a successful online entrepreneur.
Beat your competitors
In any business, you will need to outdo your competitors if you are to succeed. For starters, you will have to identify a market niche and sell to your customers what they need instead of what you want to sell. Set a standard price for your goods and services while ensuring that you have a competitive advantage. Try to be innovative in your business in a manner that makes it hard for your competitors to keep up. Do not forget to offer quality customer service as it is an excellent way to make your customers feel valued. It will translate into loyalty and sales!
Guard your business reputation
We live in an age where reputation matters a lot! Yes, that negative publicity can tarnish and kill your brand. So, stay on top of your brand at all times. Ensure that you have tailored alerts with a team to monitor your pages for a prompt response to any online mention. Don’t ignore negative reviews, comments, and feedback but rather address them transparently. Have a problem-solving mindset, and if you are wrong, admit and fix the issues. Covering up mistakes can ruin your customers’ trust.
Tip:
There are some great online reputation tools that can help you monitor your brand online, like Mention, Awario, Brand24, etc.
Protect your web security
According to the Cybersecurity Breach Survey of 2017, almost half of all businesses in the UK admitted to a cybersecurity breach within that year. A cybersecurity breach can lead to loss of data, and the attackers can use your details and those of your customers for identity theft. You need to take precautions. For example, use strong passwords for your devices and accounts and change them frequently. Use a VPN and a firewall to protect your systems and secure your network. Before sending any sensitive data, encrypt it to enhance its security. Your devices can also contain junk that can be used by cybercriminals to attack your business. You can see full guide to help you fix this if you are running on a Mac. This will help you handle cybersecurity issues that target things like cache. Remember, to also educate your employees on matters security. Alert employees will keep your online business safer.
Be Persistent
It would be best if you were persistent in online business for your success. Set your goals and work consistently towards achieving them. Also, ensure that you carry out your business in the right way always. Be consistent with product and service quality and, if anything, work towards improving the quality and not the vice versa.
Invest in proper infrastructure
In online businesses, you will be required to stay online most times. A poor online presence can paralyze your operations. Think of it this way; you can miss out on customers’ questions and orders. In this regard, ensure that you have a fast internet connection at all times. Use power and network backups if you can.
Your website and social media pages are also an investment if you are to grow your brand. The appearance of your website can attract or put off potential customers. Make your site sleek, easy to use, and secure for online buyers.
Wrap up
Navigating through an online business can be challenging. A slight mistake could result in business closure. As an online entrepreneur, you have to make it your initiative to work towards the success of your business. Work hard, but more importantly, work smart to grow your venture!
Author Bio:- Be it technology or IoT, Andre T. Robert has the nag for everything. His abilities have made him one of the most valuable team members at Outreach Monks. He’s a content creator, a marketer, and an influencer.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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