Developmental psychiatrist Erik Erikson identified eight stages of human development, mentioning that every stage builds upon the effective completing earlier stages. Exactly the same is going to be the case with your company.
To become viable, your company must distinguish itself from not just its competitors – but additionally from yourself. Listed here are eight simple things you can do to provide your company its very own identity.
1. Name it.
Your brand is frequently your customers’ first impression of the business. Turn it into a great one! Select a company name that’s positive, memorable and both familiar and fresh. The large trick is locating a name that fits individuals criteria whose website name can also be open to register. Because just about any word within the British language (and lots of other languages too) has already been registered, companies frequently create a name that’s a mixture of two words, other languages, mythology, etc. When narrowing lower your company name choices, look into the website name availability on the registrar like GoDaddy or NameCheap. Once you find the correct option, buy the domain registration. Tip: “.com” domains are the defacto standard, but other extensions like “.co” have become more acceptable, particularly when the extension letters possess some relationship towards the business or industry.
2. Construct it.
Create a website rapidly and inexpensively. (If you are in the realm of ecommerce, I would suggest Material!) Don’t belabor this. Your site doesn’t have to become an architectural marvel – only a place on the internet that the customers and clients can turn to take a look at your company and perhaps stay some time. Friendly functionality is much more important than flash, and you may always change your site as the business grows.
3. Distinguish it.
Making use of your personal email take into account business you can get into trouble. Obtain a business branded current email address (yourname@yourcompany.com), and employ it for effective, convenient communication with customers, client, and business contacts. The easiest method to do that is by using Google Apps for business – it’s quick, easy, and affordable!
4. Sing it.
Email might be more effective, but may there’s no replacement for the emotional connections and how to go about communication thanks to a persons voice. Consequently, your company requires a dedicated phone and fax. Present an expert image and obtain more business functionality having a cloud-based company like Nextiva.com, Phone.com, or RingCentral.com. Google Voice is a free method of getting another telephone number for the business, however it doesn’t provide business functionality like worker and department extensions, company voicemail message, setting of economic hrs, auto attendant, etc. If your company is within an industry that also depends on faxing, several companies provide stand-alone online fax services which are affordable and versatile.
5. Sign, seal, and deliver it.
For those who require a business mailing address within their city, I suggest using PakMail, a UPS Store, or perhaps a virtual office through Davinci. However, when the specific address is not important on and on paperless is really a priority, I suggest utilizing a virtual mail service like Traveling Mailbox or Earth Class Mail.
6. Legalize it.
Developing a restricted Liability Corporation, or LLC, makes your company right into a legal entity helping safeguard your individual assets from liability. To create an LLC, employ a lawyer or use Legal Zoom to file for the documents. Hardcore DIY types can perform it themselves while using forms on their secretary of state’s website.
7. Identify it.
Most companies require an EIN, or Employer Identification Number. This is sort of a ssn for the business, and you may make an application for it on the internet at IRS.gov. You ought to have one if you are planning to possess employees or maybe your company is a partnership or corporation. An EIN may also make opening a company banking account or trying to get a company charge card simpler. And possibly most significantly, utilizing an EIN for business helps you to safeguard you against id theft and the potential of a crook being able to access your individual accounts.
8. Bank it.
Separating your business and personal finances into different accounts ought to be important. Obtain a banking account for the business as quickly as possible once you have acquired its EIN. For those who have created an LLC, you must also bring the signed Certificate of Formation along with you towards the bank whenever you open your company banking account.
Finishing the eight easy steps outlined above can give your company the firm base and feeling of identity it must move one stage further. As Erikson stated:
“In the social jungle of human existence, there’s no sense of living without a feeling of identity.”
Have you got any advice for developing a company identity? Tell us within the comments!