Every small business owner has, at some point, looked at the big corporations for inspiration and wished, if only for a moment, they could give that kind of impression. It all looks so slick, so expensive and you just know that the buying public is swayed by the slick little touches.
Well there are things you can do to make your small business look much bigger than it really is. Even if you run your small empire from the box room, you can take steps to improve your public image and make the company look like a multinational.
Here are just a few ways to make your small business look like a big one:
1. Build a better website
Nowadays the first contact many people have with your company – indeed maybe the only contact – is through your website. So if it’s a hastily thrown together effort that looks like it was knocked up with a hosting provider’s instant website tool, then you’re doing yourself a disservice. Website design makes a big difference, so ensure you have a proper domain name, too, and a real email address that looks the part.
2. Get a registered address
If you run the business from home then it’s perfectly understandable that you don’t want to put it on your site and all official communications. So spend a little money, as little as £20 a month, to get a registered address. These can often be prestige addresses in your local city centre, or even London landmark addresses, which can help make your business look like an international powerhouse at a stroke.
3. Get a virtual receptionist
You can have someone answer the phones and take all your calls, freeing up valuable time and making sure that your customers always get through to a professional. Virtual receptionists can be hired as part of the virtual office, or you can find your own through sites like People Per Hour. Get a dedicated Skype number and nobody needs to know where they’re actually phoning, so your receptionist could be on the other side of the world.
4. Go limited
This is a big step, as it requires a great deal more disclosure to HMRC and your accountancy fees will increase. There’s simply no doubt, though, that a limited company looks so much more impressive than sole trader status.
5. Get verified for e-commerce
If you’re selling then it looks so much better to have full affiliation with Mastercard and Visa. Again you’ll have to jump through some hoops for compliance, but it’s worth the effort.