Starting your own business

So, I made the decision to start a company and focus on e-commerce and consultancy services.

Below is everything I accomplished between 27.1 and 16.2.2025, dedicating 3 weeks, approximately 19 hours per day, totaling 400 hours:

Phase 1: Business Planning and Preparation

• Business Plan: Developed a comprehensive business plan including goals, target audience analysis, competition analysis, marketing strategies, and financial forecasts.

• Business ID: Registered the business and obtained a business ID.

• Taxation: Researched tax obligations and registered for necessary systems such as VAT.

• Accounting Services: Selected an accountant or bookkeeping service to handle financial management.

Phase 2: Branding and Financial Setup

• Business Accounts and Cards: Opened a company bank account and obtained necessary payment cards.

• Logo and Color Scheme: Designed a logo and chose brand colors to reflect the company’s identity.

Phase 3: E-commerce Technical Setup

• Store Installation: Selected and installed the e-commerce platform.

• Layout Design: Designed the layout and user experience for the online store.

• Domains, SSL, Redirects, Emails: Registered a domain, acquired an SSL certificate, and set up redirects and email addresses.

Phase 4: Product Management and Logistics

• Supplier Selection: Chose suitable wholesalers and suppliers.

• Logistics Decisions: Determined logistics solutions and partnered with delivery providers.

• Payment Services: Integrated online payment options like PayPal, Stripe, or Klarna.

• Products, Content, Images: Added products to the store, wrote descriptions, and uploaded high-quality images.

Phase 5: Content and Marketing

• Blogs: Began blogging to attract customers and improve SEO.

• Pricing: Strategically set product pricing.

• Marketing and Advertising: Developed a marketing plan utilizing social media, email marketing, and paid advertising.

Phase 6: Optimization and Security

• SEO/SEM: Optimized the store for search engines (SEO) and used search engine marketing (SEM) to boost visibility.

• AI Tools: Utilized AI tools like chatbots and customer analytics to enhance customer experience.

• Security: Ensured store security with firewalls, cybersecurity software, and other protective measures.

Phase 7: Shipping and Returns

• Shipping Times and Costs: Clearly communicated shipping times and costs to customers, offering tracking options.

• Return Policies: Created clear and easy return policies for seamless customer experiences.

Phase 8: Customer Service

• Service Channels: Set up multiple communication channels (email, phone, chat, AI chat) for customers to reach out.

• Speed and Quality: Planned strategies for promptly addressing inquiries and efficiently resolving issues.

Phase 9: Technical Support

• System Maintenance: Ensured all technical systems, including the e-commerce platform, were up to date and functioning smoothly.

• Backups: Regularly backed up data and ensured its security.

Phase 10: Analytics and Reporting

• Visitor Tracking: Used tools like Google Analytics to track visitors and their behavior.

• Reports and Analysis: Analyzed sales data and created reports to support informed decisions.

Phase 11: User Experience

• Site Speed and Usability: Made sure the site loaded quickly and was easy to use.

• Mobile Friendliness: Optimized the store for mobile devices, as many customers shop via smartphones and tablets.

Phase 12: Branding

• Social Media: Stayed active on social media and built a community around the brand.

• Customer Feedback and Reviews: Encouraged customers to leave feedback and reviews to strengthen the brand.

Phase 13: Innovation and Development

• Product Range Expansion: Monitored the market and considered expanding the product range based on customer needs.

• New Technologies: Stayed up to date on new technologies and trends to enhance the store’s performance.

If you’d like this summarized further or adjusted, feel free to ask! 😊