Welcome to 2024. Well, technically, it’s been a month already, but it’s probably all the time you needed to make up your mind. Did you know that January is that time of the year when people are thinking about starting their own businesses and taking concrete steps towards making it a reality? Why so? Because you’re back from the Christmas break and you begin to realize that things are not fun anymore at work. You’re bored. You’re exhausted. You don’t find joy anymore. Did January feel like this for you too? Then, perhaps, it’s time to think about launching your first business.
You don’t need to quit your job right now. Let’s be practical. You won’t know your venture can be successful until you try. So, the best way top try safely is to start with a digital business.
This is a golden opportunity to make 2024 the turning point of your career by going digital.
Why should you start a digital business? This may sound absurd, especially if you don’t feel hugely confident digitally. But, running a digital venture means that you can carry on your day-to-day job. So you don’t need to quit and take unnecessary risks. It’s not only considerably cheaper to start a digital business (you don’t have to worry about physical premises for a start), but we all have the tech we need directly at home. So, honestly, it’d be a pity not to give it at least a go.
Besides, a digital business opens up vast opportunities for global reach. With the right strategies, your digital business can be reaching customers overseas. Admittedly, this is the ultimate dream. With millions of active websites to compete against, you’ll need to do more than just build a website. But everyone has to start somewhere, right?
Finally, the digital landscape brings you all the real-time analytics and data-driven insights you need. It may take some time and training to get to make sense out of them, but you’ve already got fantastic tools to build upon.
Convinced? Are you feeling adventurous enough to embrace your digital business ideas this year? Will it be a success? Nobody can tell. But, here are some thoughts on what businesses should be considering in 2024.
Choosing a memorable name
Do you know when someone introduces you to a new person and in the next seconds, you’ve already forgotten their name? The same goes for people and business names. As much as we try to remember that cold and quirky brand we’ve seen once, most names fall into oblivion. Why though? Because they’re just not memorable enough.
So, if you are launching a digital business, you know that a memorable name is not negotiable. Essentially, you want a name that sticks in the minds of your audience, like blue orca, something that immediately calls an image to mind and makes it easier to find again. So, when you’re selecting a name, what should you consider? There are different elements, including its uniqueness, relevance to your industry, and ease of spelling, and whether the domain name is available.
One thing is for sure, there are no clear rules. So, Starbucks, which sounds nothing like what the company does, works just as well as Nike, which is more relevant to its actual products (Nike is the name of the Greek goddess of victory). What makes a name a winner? Memorability, like blue orca.
No website without SEO
This is not a novelty. You can’t get your website visible without strong SEO.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is going to be central to creating a strong digital presence that doesn’t get lost in the noise. While DIY SEO may seem tempting, you’re going to be up against a lot (and we truly mean A LOT) of challenges.
First of all, let’s talk plug-ins. If you’re building your own website, you’re probably using WordPress. Are all plug-ins as effective? Well nope, and there are a few you want to actively avoid. Ideally, you should do your research and pick the right plug-ins for your needs. You can’t manage your SEO presence without plug-ins that let you set up your meta description, alt tag texts, and overall indexing.
And then, there’s a lot more to do when it comes to SEO activities. Do you have time for it? If the honest answer is no, it’s best to turn to experts. SEO professionals will not only bring the knowledge you need but also the time to implement it (which you very probably do not have).
Authentic social media presence
The keyword when you’re talking about social media is authenticity. You can’t start an online business without a carefully curated social media presence. This is going to be your best tool to connect with their audience. But what does it actually mean to be authentic as a business?
To quote experts on the matter, it’s all about “being true to yourself and sharing your unique perspectives”. People are more likely to engage with a brand that showcases its human side, shares genuine stories, and values transparent communication.
Implementing fast and effective digital processes
What is the most popular shopping method online?
Click to buy.
Why? Because shoppers want everything fast. They don’t want to reach out and build a connection when they are ready to buy. They want to click and be done with it. What does it mean for your website?
It’s simple. You need to keep processes as efficient as possible. Are you offering a product? Let people buy it online in a click. Do they need to book an appointment? Let them select their preferred time in an online calendar. Whatever it is, the easier you make it to pass an order, the more likely you are to attract modern customers. The new generation of online shoppers does not want to waste time getting in touch or creating an account.
Will these tips help you build an award-winning business? No, but they will help you avoid some costly mistakes. The key to success is more complex than following all those tips (sorry to disappoint). But without these tips, you don’t even get a chance to be recognized and noticed. Think of these as the 2024 must-haves.
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