Outsourse Web / Mobile / E-commerce Design

Category: Startups

  • Grow Your Business the Smart Way

    Grow Your Business the Smart Way

    It’s time to grow your business. You’re ready to take what you’ve already created and expand on that. But how? With a plan of action in place that includes goal setting, thinking about what your customers are looking for, and a few more smart tips, you can start to bring your business to the next level.

    Talk to the Experts

    Build a Team is your supercharged remote team of top-rated experts, ready for the next challenge. They will help transform your ideas and business requirements into optimal solutions tailored to your needs, budget, and timeline. Contact them to find out how they can optimize your business goals.

    Goals

    Business goals are the driving force of any company. They help to define the direction that the company will take and what its purpose is.

    The first step in defining your business goals is to identify what you want to achieve with your company. This can be anything from reaching a specific number of customers to even being on top of the local market.

    Once you have decided on your goal, you should be able to communicate it clearly and concisely, making it easier for employees and stakeholders alike to understand what you are trying to achieve. Take into account the various factors that will influence the success of your business, such as the current market situation and competition and your business’s strengths and weaknesses.

    Marketing

    The key to a successful marketing revamp is to be open-minded, flexible, and willing to change. It’s important to keep in mind that marketing can be a long-term investment. It takes time and effort to create a successful marketing plan that will work for your business.

    Consider creating a promotional video showcasing your services or products. You can use a merge video tool to quickly combine videos and images to create compelling video content. The tool allows you to edit videos so you can share the exact moments you want to capture.

    Diversification

    The key to diversifying your product or service is to make sure that you have a clear understanding of your target market. What are their needs and what are they willing to pay for? By introducing new products or services, you can expand your market share and increase revenue.

    The benefits of diversifying are many, but they all come with their own set of challenges. You need to think about how you will manage the additional workload, how your company culture will change with this new product or service, and how the changes in revenue will impact the business model as a whole.

    Data Analytics and eCommerce

    Data analytics is a powerful tool that can be used to make better decisions, provide information on how people are using your company’s products and services, help you identify the most popular features of your service, and prioritize new products.

    In order to obtain the most helpful data, you need a well-designed and high-performing website. This includes having an e-commerce/payment option for your customers, as well as having it being SEO-optimized. You can either work with a dedicated web designer for a custom-built site, or you can use a website builder, which is perfect for those who want to DIY their site. Just be sure the site looks professional, loads quickly, and is easy to navigate or visitors won’t hang around.

    Take a Look at Your Competitors

    Look at what your competitors are doing to see what is that you can improve on. When you research your competitors, you should be focusing on their strengths and weaknesses. Search Google for your competitor’s name and keywords. If they have a website, search their website for information on the company, products, and services they offer. Search the company’s LinkedIn page. Look for their Facebook business page or Twitter account to learn what other people are saying about them online. If you are looking at a product, search Google Images to find images of their products to see how yours measure up by comparison.

    List your goals and do some market research into your customers and your competitors. Revamp your marketing, including adding videos to attract attention to your site. Take advantage of things like data analytics and be sure your website is easy to navigate. With all that in place, you may just see your company grow beyond what you ever imagined!

     

    Article written by Chatty Garage.

    Image by Pexels

  • How to Transfer Your Love of Sports Into a Passion for Business

    How to Transfer Your Love of Sports Into a Passion for Business

    If you feel impassioned by sports and can’t imagine it being part of your daily life, then why not transfer your love for sports into a passion for business?  Here’s how to get started on this.

    Go into sports therapy

    If helping people on the sports field has always intrigued you, then why not consider becoming a sports therapist? This way, you’ll be right in the heart of the action and making a big difference in the lives of players by helping to speed up their recovery process.

     

    Sponsor your favorite team

     

    If you have the resources, why not consider sponsoring your favorite teams or those that are less fortunate to help them succeed in their sporting careers? For example, you can help sponsor uniforms, sporting gear, or even sporting grounds to make a big difference in your community.

     

    Open a business and lighting supplies

     

    As you probably know, lighting is a big deal when it comes to sports as the right light can dictate how closely or clearly you can see that winning try, for example. Furthermore, the lighting business is one to go into, as every stadium or sports field will require the right lighting to some degree or another. Suppose you need a little more information on this front, then why not use industry case studies to determine if these LED lights can be used for stadiums and more? Furthermore, you’ll get a better idea of the type of lighting that is required for average size to large size stadiums, as well as what the differences are between indoor and outdoor lighting as well as what lighting you’ll need for sports grounds from college level upwards.

     

    Create your own e-commerce website

     

    If you have a passion for buying and selling sports apparel, then you could even consider creating your own e-commerce business to advertise your trendy sporting goods.

     

    Jobs you can do from home

     

    In today’s digital age, you don’t even have to go out and work someplace else to make a business out of your passion. In fact, there are more than enough options to do what you love from home.

     

    Become a sports writer

     

    If you are mighty with the pen, then becoming a sports writer could just be the job for you. Moreover, there are many mediums you can lend your talents to depending on your preferences, including social media, major league websites, newspapers, and more.

     

    Become a website designer

     

    If you are a talented graphic designer, then why not consider going into the business of building websites for your favorite sports teams to help them gain more exposure and support online? After all, websites are pretty much mandatory, no matter the industry.

     

    Start your own podcast

     

    Becoming a sports podcaster is an excellent option if you have the gift of the gab. Moreover, if you are starting your own podcasting business from home, you probably don’t even need a Communications or a Journalism degree, provided that you are quite knowledgeable about the sport you are passionate about. Then it’s just about figuring out how to make your podcast as engaging as possible if you want your podcast show to have a more casual, chatty feel about it.

     

    These are just a few of the options you might want to consider if you can’t imagine a day without sports. Furthermore, it shows you can be just as involved as ever whether you choose to go into lighting, sports podcasting, or any of the above.

     

    If you’re looking for a remote team to help design and maintain your website, we’re here for you. Visit the Buildateam website for more information.

     

    Image via Pexels

    Written by Patrick Young

  • Moving Into a New Home While Launching a Home-Based Business: What You Need to Know

    Moving Into a New Home While Launching a Home-Based Business: What You Need to Know

    Photo Credit: Blue Bird via Pexels

    Do you want to start your own home-based business but realize that your current home isn’t big enough to support your vision? Did you know that you can move and still start your own company? It will take a lot of hard work and determination, but when you employ the right steps, you can make your journey far more manageable. BuildaTeam presents some tips for balancing starting a new business while tackling a home move.

    Managing the Home Buying Process

    There are several steps you’ll want to be familiar with before you dive into purchasing a new home. Review these steps below.

    Find out How Much You Can Afford

    Before you make a decision on a house, you’ll want to find out how much you can afford. This is important because it will help you make an informed decision on what kind of home you can buy.

    To figure out how much you can afford, you’ll need to take two important steps. The first is to determine your monthly expenses. The second is to determine your monthly disposable income. When you have both of these numbers, you can then use a mortgage calculator to figure out how much you can afford to borrow.

    Look into purchasing a home labeled “as is.” These houses tend to be more affordable because there is something significant that will need to be addressed. However, sometimes these issues are manageable and still provide a significant cost savings. If you’re considering an “as is” home, work with a real estate agent and a property attorney to make sure you don’t get roped into something you don’t want.

    Get Pre-Approved for a Loan

    Before you purchase any home, you’ll first want to get pre-approved for a loan. This means that one of the mortgage lenders has agreed to give you a look at your credit score and loan amount. This is necessary before applying for a conventional loan. Now, getting a loan pre-approved does not guarantee that you’ll be approved for a loan. In fact, many mortgage companies will deny you for a wide array of reasons, including poor credit score, high debt to income ratio, too many open loans and a number of other factors.

    If pre-approved, you will have more negotiating power with the lender. This is because you’ll be able to shop around for better rates and terms. In some cases, you might even be able to secure a loan at a much lower rate than the one that is available to you without a mortgage.

    If you have questions about these processes, it’s best to contact your lender. Look for their phone number online and be prepared with a list of specific questions you’d like to have answered. If you have begun the application process with this lender, provide personal information so that they can pull up your specific account details and give you real answers instead of generalities about the process. Be sure to take notes so that you can refer to them later as you move through the home buying process.

    Find a Real Estate Agent

    A real estate agent can help you navigate the home buying process and find the right house. They can also help you find and negotiate with the sellers when you eventually put in an offer on a home.

    Search for a Home Online

    Once you’ve decided on a neighborhood and a home type, it’s time to start searching. Before you start looking at homes, you’ll want to do your research and figure out what you’re looking for in a home. This will help you narrow your search and save time.

    Starting Your Company

    As with home-buying, there are several steps you’ll need to consider as you establish your company. Take a look at the following before you get started on your entrepreneurial journey.

    Consider Filing a DBA

    A DBA, which stands for Doing Business As, allows small business owners to sell products under another name. DBAs also allow you to market under a different brand in the event your business’s domain is not available

    Start Marketing

    Once you are settled in your new space, it is time for you to begin to build brand awareness. This is possible by creating a unique logo for your business.

    If you have the right logo, your first impressions can be strong with potential clients in the area. A well-designed and unique logo will help you stand apart from other businesses in your area.

    If you are a brand new business owner or have recently moved, it is important to keep your costs down. So instead of having someone design your logo for you, try creating it online with a logo maker tool.

    With this, you will have many different logos that you can choose from. When you find one that you like, you can alter everything from color, text, images, and icons.

    Consider Outsourcing

    There is nothing wrong with getting some help, especially during times when you’re juggling a lot. Consider hiring a virtual assistant or getting help with your design and analysis portion of your business so you can focus on other aspects. BuildaTeam can help get your website, app, and general backend designs moving while you focus on yoru move and setting up shop.

    Doing It All

    Moving and starting a new business at the same time takes a lot of work, but it can be done. Understanding what is involved with buying a new house can make the process less intimidating and can make it easier to find the resources you need. The most important thing is to communicate with everyone involved, from your real estate agent to your lender and your clients, to ensure everything goes smoothly.

    Written by Ethel Lair.

     

  • Top Web-Based Projects to Advance Your Home-Based Business

    Top Web-Based Projects to Advance Your Home-Based Business

    If you run a home-based business, chances are you have an understanding of how important the web is to your success. In fact, many businesses operated out of homes are centered around the web, and it’s difficult in this day and age to succeed otherwise.

     

    With that said, you need more than an email address and an average website. In order to give your home-based business the best chance of long-term growth and success, it’s essential to utilize the web as much as possible and invest in a top-notch website. Buildateam.io presents a few web-based projects that can help you get there.

     

    Mobile App

     

    Whether you offer goods or services, a mobile app is paramount these days, particularly considering how often consumers or clients use their smartphones. Ideally, you want an app that works across different platforms and that has a seamless experience for the user. To ensure you get a top-notch mobile application and save money at the same time, connect with a freelancer who offers mobile app development services to create a custom app that opens new doors for your business.

     

    Ecommerce

     

    If you are ready to add a new revenue stream, a great way to do this is through online sales. This can be a great way to get a product out there or even allow customers to pay for your services online. While diving into ecommerce can be easy, it’s worthwhile to consult with an expert. If you tap into ecommerce services through an independent contractor, you can get your shop up in no time without busting your budget.

     

    Enabling your website or app to take customer or client payments is an essential step toward continuous growth. Look for a payment system that works well for you and your customers/clients.

     

    Invoicing is an important part of ecommerce, as it allows you to accurately reflect to customers what’s been charged and acts as a transaction confirmation. Invoices also give you a way to track sales, which plays into other areas of your business like forecasting. Fortunately, you can use an online invoice maker free of charge, a tool that gives you the ability to customize with color schemes, your logo and other graphics. Use a template from the vast library of professionally designed invoices to provide customers and clients with every transaction.

     

    Social Media Marketing

     

    First of all, embrace social media marketing like never before. It’s critical for any business that wants to expand its customer base and improve its customer relations. If you are savvy enough and have the time, you can do a lot of social media marketing yourself. However, to really level up your reach, it’s best to connect with a professional agency with the chops to take your social media marketing to new heights.

     

    Web Design

     

    Visuals are powerful. People will rarely engage in a website that has nothing but words on the homepage. If you really want your website to be eye-catching, there need to be images, colors, text, symbols, and design. Each element must come together to serve a single purpose: to engage the audience so that your message gets across.

     

    The best way to achieve this is to work with professionals who have ample experience and skills in web design. They can build the ideal site to suit your business needs and boost your online presence.

     

    Content Creation

     

    While content is often not enough in and of itself to reach a wide audience, it nonetheless plays a crucial role in pushing home-based businesses forward. For example, Search Engine Journal notes that providing blogs and articles on your website that inform and entertain your audience can go a long way in establishing your credibility in the industry and growing your customer base. Instructional and promotional videos can have the same effect.

     

    Moreover, having quality photographs of your products and/or of people using your services in a practical context can prove to be a powerful sales tool. All of these kinds of content projects can help your business grow, which means it’s worth considering hiring professionals for them.

     

    SEO

     

    Veem explains that in many ways, search engine optimization (SEO) is king when it comes to promoting your business online. In its most basic sense, it refers to the position your business pages show up on web searches. For instance, if you make and sell clothes out of your home and someone searches for “handmade clothing in Chicago” on Google, where will your website show up? On the first page, second page, eighth page?

     

    An SEO specialist or digital marketing specialist can use keywords in content and many other tactics to make your business more present on the web. And of course, that’s precisely what you want in today’s market.

     

    Gain Knowledge

     

    Regardless of which web projects you choose to move your business forward, it’s important to fully comprehend business management. Understanding the intricacies of marketing, accounting, leadership and operations will position you to make your company stand out from the competition.

     

    If you’re new to the business world, the best way to expand your knowledge is through higher education. Yes, running a business is a full-time job, and you don’t have the bandwidth to be a full-time student. However, online master’s degree programs make it easy to achieve a degree at your own pace. And while you will still need a team of professionals in your corner, having this advanced knowledge will make you a better employer and business owner.

     

    Taking advantage of the web can do wonders for your home-based business. Remember to consider how you can use social media marketing, web design, content creation, and SEO to take your business to the next level. In no time, you may notice your customer base growing and your company’s reputation solidifying in the industry.

     

    Buildateam.io is ready to provide you with a team of remote experts for your next web design, mobile app, or digital marketing project. Visit us to learn more!

     

    Written by Patrick Young

  • Why You Need Help Building Your Startup MVP!

    Why You Need Help Building Your Startup MVP!

    Has anyone ever paid you for just an idea? Didn’t think so. It usually takes at least a solid MVP, right?

    Since we set up our company in San Francisco, we’ve been focused on helping startups build their MVPs and we’ve heard thousands of potential clients tell us that they have “THE” next big startup idea. We agree with the philosophy out here that confidence is really an important tool and we also believe that the mindset of “Fake it till you make it” is definitely subscribed to by most Bay Area founders. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, and it’s something that we adore about working in this region. Having said this, our CEO Lex’s response has always been the same since day one:

    “The idea is important, but it’s ultimately the execution, that sets successful products apart, and that’s where we come in”.

    So why do you need help building your MVP? First, for those that don’t know, MVP is a startup term for “Minimum Viable Product” meaning a product that may not be perfect and ready to support millions, but it will get you traction and prove the concept enough to get you the meetings you need. MVPs are important because they help prove that you’re on the right track. The key with MVPs is being able to iterate on the product early on, quickly and efficiently.

    Products naturally evolve during development with the more user feedback and market insight you gain. Hiring full-time employees takes time away from product development, fundraising and other important tasks for founders. If you wait as long as it takes to iterate several times and get it perfect, then you could be too late to the party and someone could have moved quicker to getting funded, and grown their team and passed you up. This is where services like ours come in, and help non-tech founders and other early stage startups with their MVP development, while they work on the business sides of things. Not only does this allow the startup to move faster, but it also ensures a better quality product and a lot less stressful nights leading up to your big pitch day.

    What is unique about newer solutions like BuildaTeam is that we aren’t just freelancers 8,000 miles away that you are need to explain the requirements to. We help you define and optimize those requirements and align them with your business objectives, leaving the legwork of writing the code to outsourced expert teams. This help founders ship early stage products both on web and mobile. Today there’s more of a paradox of choice on who to trust with your software development than flavors of ice cream from the Ice Cream truck guy. You need to pick the right solution either hiring in-house or outsourcing but the fact is, you don’t need to be an incredible tech developer or software engineer yourself any longer as much as you need to be a really good manager. You need to find the right solution for your team, and move quickly so you can get it right, before you run out of cash.

    “Unless you’re already an entrepreneur with at least one nine-figure exit behind you, the answer is no. The reasoning behind this is simple: People buy products, not ideas.” – From a recent Fox News article on a similar subject.

    So if you’re in charge of a startup that is moving too slowly with development for your liking let’s chat. We can help. Email us: hello@BuildaTeam.io 

  • 5 Rules for Startup Media Engagement

    5 Rules for Startup Media Engagement

    If you’re a young startup, there’s little doubt that you’ll eventually need to get media exposure, one way or another. If you want to get noticed, and don’t have huge budgets for paid ad campaigns, then you need to know how to access and engage your target users through free media channels. Well we recently read an awesome, and actionable article on Forbes and since we at BuildaTeam.io are all about helping startups grow faster through unparalleled web and mobile development services, we felt it was only right to share the wealth. Below are some great tips for engaging through the different media channels:

    Use Twitter….no seriously.

    Our marketing guy always preached to us…”Make your own story”, so start there. Then find the fastest and most direct route to a journalist who will use it. Twitter has to be one of the quickest, easiest and most effective ways for an entrepreneur to find media opportunities. Just type #journorequest into the search box to uncover dozens of requests from journalists looking for help with stories on every business topic imaginable. You’ll be unlucky not to find at least one that relates to your business, so hit Reply, and tell them how you can help. Keyword there: HELP. Offer help, don’t just ask for help.

    LinkedIn offers additional routes in. With a bit of research into the publications and business areas you are focusing on, you can track down the various journalists who cover them. Forget the rules about not sending requests to people you don’t know; busy journalists keep open house on social media

    Be ready for the response…

    If a journalist responds positively to your reach-out or Twitter reply, make sure you can deliver what you have promised them. Press releases are useful as background, but you’ll need to be available, sometimes at very short notice, to jump on a call to answer a few questions. Great images are a godsend to an editor, while a live website is essential, as they will want to check your business out.

    Leverage the news

    It isn’t just journalists who are always on the lookout for fresh angles on news stories to generate extra media mileage. Entrepreneurs can do it as well. Keep an eye on news within your own industry sector, and make yourself available via the channels outlined above, to provide insight for the relevant local, national and trade publications. Over time, you can become a ‘go to’ expert, and have journalists chasing you. And tune in to any opportunities to comment on broader issues, for example, how a cut in interest rates, or changes to employment legislation could affect small businesses.

    But be ready to move fast – news travels like wildfire across social networks –  and work on building a list of good media contacts; journalists and bloggers who write in the media space where you want your business to be seen.

    It’s also worth looking several weeks and months ahead and earmarking annual celebrations, Valentine’s day and Halloween, not to mention the countless National Days of and World Weeks of, such as Volunteers’ Week or Mens Health Week. You may be planning something interesting or unusual and definitely newsworthy, that that ties in with the event theme.

    For example, Bring Your Pet To Work Day is celebrated by working pet owners everywhere, but maybe it happens every day in your business. Readers will want to know how and why. These events are also highlighted on journalists’ calendars well in advance, and they will welcome a quirky business case study, or industry expert to give their story an edge. These are valuable, easy to find opportunities that will make  your startup stand out, and get your story and your brand shared.

    To read the entire article click here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alisoncoleman/2016/09/30/four-rules-of-media-engagement-for-startups/#5db31ff72ea8

     

    Credit to Forbes, we love you!