Marketing your Computer Business on a small budget

The advantages that the internet brings to the market today are truly impressive. A business owner can create a business and market it effectively on a small budget.

Let’s say that you want to start a computer business. Start by defining your business in terms of a specific niche, such as a long-range wireless network. The advantage of setting up a niche is that it allows you to focus on a specific aspect of your business while building up other aspects. By focusing your resources on that niche, you can help eliminate costs that don’t really do you any good, and keep your overhead small, allowing for better profits.

You should also create and maintain an excellent reputation; businesses are made or broken by their reputations. Start by learning to give accurate estimates of how long it will take you to accomplish something, and then sticking to that estimate. Also, make sure that the products you deliver or services you perform are of the highest quality. By doing that, you should begin to garner a good reputation as well as a loyal client base. If you can, get testimonials that demonstrate your skill and ability, and make sure that potential clients can learn about your reputation.

While you are establishing your reputation, be on the lookout for ways to increase your reputation. And don’t limit yourself to just things inside your industry; don’t be afraid to volunteer your services to non-profit organizations. You wouldn’t believe the booster shot to your reputation that will happen if you make a troop of boy scouts a local area network for their website and computer games.

Keep in mind that which sets you apart. Make sure that potential customers know that there is a problem and that you have a solution to that problem. If there is something special that you bring to the situation, such as experience or quantifiable skill, then point that out. The idea is to show that not only do you have a solution, but you are uniquely qualified to do something about it. By being not just an expert at what you do, but also has a unique perspective on the problem, you create interest in what your computer business has to offer.

Visibility is another concern. You need to find a way to make yourself visible to your potential customers, and in a way that they will come to you. Word of mouth from current clients helps, and you should balk at the word of mouth campaigns. At the same time, find ways to get your company to the general public. Think about sponsoring a local computer club, offering some free parts and discounts on others to members of the club to get potential customers, both from the club members and those that the club interacts with. Also, sponsor teams; not only do you show your pride in the community, but the better they do, the better your business does (even if they are in the last place, you still get points).

Debate getting a rival. It may sound ludicrous, but getting a rival gets you recognized by your rival, and even he talks about you a lot, which gets others interested in you. Try to make sure that the rival is about the same level as you are, and that there are areas you don’t cover mutually. You can both cover networks, for example, but it’s best if he covers local area networks, and you do long-range wireless ones. If you do too much the same business, then a rivalry will create a problem instead of being a great thing. Basically, it needs to be kept at a friendly level, and both sides will benefit.

Bear in mind that you are building relationships, which should be fostered as much as possible. A computer club and a rival attach you to the community and make you one of the guys. This is definitely beneficial to your business, as people tend to buy from those they know rather than strangers. There are a number of advantages to joining the local chamber of commerce, and participating in its events, as well as any other civic organization; anything that attaches you to the local community is good for business.

Be aware that most of this can be done without spending much. A few dollars here and there can help, but you will find that depending more on your ability to spread goodwill is better than just spending money on advertising.