Need to know how to open a business?
Well, you’ve come to the right place. Bob Go was once a start-up called uAfrica, so we’ve walked this road. Plus, we’re now a division of Bob Group, so we’re part of one big family alongside other original South African start-ups like Bob Shop (formerly bidorbuy.co.za). All of which means we know how to open a business – here’s our advice.
Have a plan – and stick to it…
Decide which products or services you’re going to offer, to whom, and at what price. These are of course the most important decisions you’ll have to make. In the words of a popular business book, you should try to ‘swim in blue water’ – that is, try to find a gap in the market where you’re less likely to face competition.
Find something that nobody else is doing – or do it better than existing businesses. Offer better products, customer service or value, and you could start to carve out a niche for yourself.
But be flexible
To succeed, you need to know more than how to open a business. You need to be agile enough to predict and react to changes of all kinds – depending on what you’re selling, you’ll have to keep an eye on the economy, social media trends and even the weather. Plans are vital, but make sure you don’t get stuck in a rut. All the most successful businesses have shown that they are able to adapt to survive and thrive.
Get online
Ecommerce offers a great way to lower your costs, reach a nationwide audience, and build exposure without having to rent premises. You can set up your own ecommerce website using service providers like Shopify, or create an online store on an existing platform, such as Bob Shop.
Having multiple sales channels means that you can reach more people, but also comes with inventory management challenges. Bob Go can help with this – by integrating all your channels, we can help you keep a close eye on your stock levels so that you always have enough to meet demand, without running the risk of selling something you don’t currently have in stock.
Be the best
When you open a business, one thing that will set you apart: world-class customer service. It’s something we’re committed to at Bob Go, and we can help you deliver on all your promises. Our order management and fulfilment services empower you to stay on stop of your shipping, so that your customers get what they’ve ordered on time, without paying a fortune for shipping.
Features such as one-click printing for shipping labels and real-time shipping notifications can save you time and money, eliminate errors, and ensure your customers are kept in the loop. At Bob Go, we’ve negotiated great-value rates with some of SA’s leading courier companies, which in turn means you can offer great rates to your customers.
Balance your budgets
Keeping an eye on costs is a vital part of knowing how to open a business. Managing cashflow means finding the best value you can when it comes to services – with Bob Go, you can choose from a range of subscription plans, and upgrade as your business grows. It’s just one more way we’re supporting South African entrepreneurs like you.
To see how Bob Go can help you with your new business, click here for a free 30-day subscription to Bob Go, and take advantage of our services for start-ups and other ecommerce businesses: https://my.bobgo.co.za/register
