How to make your small company appear bigger than it is
Have the right name
Many businesses start out as sole traders and having your business name as your name makes sense, but if you ever want to be more than a one man band then think about your name at the outset. Pick a name that will not automatically place you as a small business, maybe something that will allow you to expand your range of products or services in the future.
Also think hard about names with a local element. Having your town name in your company name may be good for very local business but if you want to go further afield it will hinder you.
Have professional branding
If you want to compete with the big boys you need to look like the big boys. Just as you wouldn’t expect to be taken seriously at a black tie event wearing trainers and a tracksuit, so your business identity needs to be professional and in keeping with the larger players within your market. This is where using a professional designer to create your branding can be a very worthy investment.
Have a custom email address
It costs very little to get a custom URL bought for your business and set up your email address. Most IT or web companies can do this for you. Think what impression a hotmail, gmail or yahoo address gives you business and what a difference spending a few quid to get a info@yourcompany.co.uk address will do for your credibility.
Make sure your website does you proud
Big companies usually have good websites. That is because they use professional web companies to create them. There are DIY options available online BUT if design is not your thing you will undoubtedly make poor choices in colours, font sizes and general layout that will end up with your site looking like a DIY job. You don’t need a large site but what pages you have should be well designed and professional.
Use a virtual services
There are now many ‘virtual’ services available that help you maintain the image of a larger company. If you are an owner / manager working on the job, you can’t always be available to take a call, but to miss them may be a missed opportunity. For a monthly fee you can have someone else answer your phone in a professional manner, establish if it a call you should be dealing with and alert you by phone, email or text.
Get a business address
Like the email address, your business address can make you look like a small business, especially if you work from home. Despite the increase in remote working, a home business is likely to be viewed as a small business and if that isn’t the impression you want to give, you need a more impressive address.
There are mow many options for virtual business addresses (often at managed business centres) where they will gather your mail and you give the impression of having more prestigious offices. You can also usually hire their meeting room facilities if needed, further enhancing the illusion.
Have professional business cards
The cost of printing business cards has come down so much that there is no excuse for flimsy, badly printed stock cards. Take time to get them professionally designed and printed and think about using finished such as matt lamination to make them appear even more luxurious.
Think about your uniforms and vehicle livery
Big companies often have uniforms and vehicles that have their livery. So even if there is only you and you have one van you can appear to be bigger by getting some high quality branded workwear and also branding your vehicle. The beauty of branded vehicles is that people will see it out and about and may well assume you have more vehicles than you actually do!
Be a limited company
Becoming a limited company can make you appear bigger than you are, doesn’t cost very much and could save you tax. Seek out the advice of a qualified accountant before you decide, but it will automatically make you appear bigger than you are.
Be VAT registered
If you are a B2B company consider going Vat registered even before you hit the required threshold. Businesses will assume you are bigger (hence the need to be VAT registered). If you are selling to other VAT registered businesses they won’t worry about the extra VAT charge as they can claim it back and it means you can claim back the VAT on goods and services you buy in.