Whether you’re trying to convince an investor to back your business or want to win over clients from a larger competitor, a small business can sometimes suffer from appearing like small fish in a big pond.

So how do you boost confidence in your service and avoid the hesitation some might feel about working with a new or unknown provider?

Surprisingly, the way you present your business can seriously impact how customers and investors regard it. Here are Lockyers’ top 5 tips to make your small business appear bigger than it is…

1. What’s in a name?
   While it’s important to reflect your business and what it does, choosing a very specific name can imply you have limited or narrow capabilities, rather than room for growth. Choose a business name which sounds like it has already made some progress, and is on the cusp of expansion.
   Top tip:Use a name that is capable of being applied to multiple services, or could encompass different functions in the future, to suggest a wide-reaching business.
2. Is that name in your email address?
   You may be a sole trader, but using a personal email address does not suggest professionalism – and may make clients reluctant to send official documents or discuss confidential contracts.
   Top tip:Arrange a professional email address for you and your employees, either using your website’s domain name, or by subscribing to Office 365.
3. How’s your website looking?
   An outdated site suggests you aren’t bothered about growing beyond your local area – or worse, that you are disreputable. A well-designed site acts like an online shop front to showcase your service or products.
   Top tip:Working with a web designer is a worthy investment if you can afford it, but you don’t need to break the bank – platforms like WordPress and Wix allow you to create a simple, professional-looking site yourself.
4. Talking of tech…
   A Google search is often the first port of call for potential customers – do you show up on the first page of search results? Making sure you can be found online legitimises your business to searchers.
   Top tip:Create a Google Business page to ensure your address, logo, official site and opening hours show up immediately when someone looks for you.
5. Provide a landline number
   It’s understandable that if you run a business from home, your mobile phone may be your preferred contact number – but it gives you away as a small-scale business with no physical headquarters.
   Top tip:Solutions such as One Net Express provide a business landline number for your mobile, and allows multiple numbers to ring the same device.

And finally…

From legally-required insurance policies to sector-specific Business Insurance covers, nothing says amateur like failing to protect your business from legal claims and financial problems. Make sure your protection is complete and up-to-date with individual advice from the team at Lockyers.