The startup world is fast paced and intense with long hours being a staple of getting a project done for a client by the deadline. Every niche is different with some startups being more casual while others are incredibly formal. The right preparation before launching is imperative as failure to take care of one small detail could alienate a customer permanently. The best thing that can be done is to take care of everything that can be controlled and stop worrying about the other issues that are out of your hands. The following are tips for those people about to launch their first startup.
Get Your Contracts Written By Legal Representation
Having your contracts written up by a business lawyer or someone that specializes in these contracts is important. There could come a time where a large client is refusing to pay and has to be taken to court in order for the startup to receive proper compensation for work done. The wrong wording on a certain section can let the client off of the hook so it is important not to simply throw a contract together. Payment terms in these contracts need to be addressed as well as a startup doesn’t usually have excess cash flow so on time and prompt payment can be a huge help.
Your Website Should Have a Goal in Mind
Websites for all startups need to have a goal in mind whether it is establishing brand image or it is used to build leads. Establish the goals of the website so the design of the website can help the startup reach the goals. For example, a medical practice’s website has a main goal of setting appointments so contact information needs to be easy to find and having the ability to set appointments from the site could help yield more appointments set.
Market Research
A startup could find out that their target demographic was much different than they originally had anticipated. This is not something that you want to find out 6 months after launching the business. Contact a market research firm to see what your target demographic should be. You might find out that the startup appeals to more than one type or age of consumer. You are going to be centering your marketing campaign around reaching this demographic so make sure it is the right one. This can also impact what type of advertising is done as some consumers need to be marketed to via different platforms.
Hiring Processes
Building a great team at a startup starts with nailing down hiring processes. People with a background in hiring or HR will understand this importance as there are plenty of people that can do well in an interview that simply cannot fulfill what is needed to do the job correctly. There should be a multiple step hiring process but for those people that are coveted this can be shortened. You might not be able to offer top talent huge salaries but offering perks like the ability to work from home is the best perk available for some professionals.
