Trying to complete multiple tasks at once can become overwhelming, and may even lead to costly mistakes, so it's crucial that you prioritise. 

It can feel difficult to order tasks when everything feels like a priority. So, if you're unsure where to start, then here are five things you should be putting at the top of your to-do list to ensure your business hits the ground running. 

1.      Take care of basic legal requirements

Setting up a business unfortunately isn't all fun and games. There is a lot of legal legwork to be done. From properly registering the business to understanding taxes, permits, and basic contracts, you need to ensure that your business is compliant with the latest laws and regulations. 

2.      Budgets and financial planning 

It typically takes a business two to three years before it turns a profit, so it's crucial that you plan your finances effectively. Try to keep costs as low as possible at the start by limiting your overheads and if possible, track every expense and monitor your income. This will help you modify your budget as you grow. 

3.      Know your customers 

Without customers or clients, you have no business. It is essential that you have a good understanding of your target customers, from their interests, budgets, and needs, to how and where they interact online.

This shouldn't be based on assumptions either. It's important to conduct thorough market research and obtain genuine customer feedback to ensure your message aligns with your customers. 

4.      Marketing and online visibility 

It's all well and good establishing yourself legally, putting together a solid financial plan, and taking the time to understand your customers, but if no one knows you exist, you're not going to get very far. 

You need to look at all your options and decide which channels will be most effective for your business, whether this be social media advertising, SEO (search engine optimisation), or paid advertising. Having a long-term plan in place will help make sure you remain relevant and visible. 

5.      Set up an attractive and usable website 

Having a website which is fast, easy to navigate, pleasant to use, isn't vague about who you are or what you do, and speaks to your target audience is vital for success. 

But, developing a functioning, secure and customer-friendly website can be very tricky, so you may want to consider using a Shopify agency in the UK who can elevate your website. This will help ensure that your website is not only quick and easy for customers to use, but also aligns with your brand and offering. 

Finally - get your priorities in order

Prioritising is essential and putting these five things at the top of your to do list can help set you up for long-term success!