Online-based businesses are funny things. They can be so small in scope that they can be handled on a part-time basis, or they could completely eat up your time and become a successful enterprise at the end of it all. It depends entirely on your goals and what you want to do with your online company.

If you have big plans for it, then you need to invest not just in your website or marketing efforts, but also in yourself. Most online businesses begin with just one or two people behind the wheel. It takes a lot of effort to grow from that initial launch, but with this guide, you will know the steps to take and how to succeed:

Go in the Right Direction

In order for your online business to succeed, you need to treat it like you would a brick-and-mortar store or office. You cannot expect to make guesses along the way and grow a thriving online business. You will need to learn many different skills in order to succeed.

Business Management

Every business owner would benefit from earning an AACSB accredited online MBA without GMAT testing. This opens up opportunities for many business owners and enables even more people to apply to and be accepted on a top-rated MBA without the complications of standardized testing.

For business owners, the Business Intelligence specialty, in particular, will be of great use. Analyzing data and using that data to make better decisions in all areas of your company and management is how you thrive and grow, and you don’t want to second-guess these areas, either. With an MBA, you will have all the tools you need to grow a thriving business.

SEO

If you want to expand your online business, you need to make it more visible. Online, this means using marketing tactics and investing in SEO. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is incredibly complex. Google has spent over a decade building and perfecting its search algorithms to provide its users with the most relevant search results.

The very reason why you rarely have to visit the second page of search results to find the answer to your question is what makes Google so effective.

There are minor updates to this algorithm every day, and most updates are not announced in any way, shape, or form to the public. This means that experts need to analyze the data and make educated guesses on what works and what doesn’t.

The result is an incredibly complex set of rules and steps. If you wish to succeed as an online-based business, then you need to understand a lot of key concepts in SEO, even if you outsource the actual work.

Marketing

Digital marketing also comes in many different shapes and forms, and once again, even though you can outsource your digital marketing efforts to other agencies, you will want to have a firm grasp on all the basics.

This means knowing how to successfully market on each social media channel, how to leverage content marketing, how to use PR marketing, PPC marketing, and so on.

By being hands-on with your marketing, you can keep it organic and really work to build campaigns that resonate with your customers. Your goal isn’t just sales, after all; it is building a network of repeat customers.

Web Development

Expanding your online business almost always means expanding your website. If your current website does not have the capabilities you need, you will need to update it. Investing in web developers now is worthwhile, as you will make sure you can handle the influx in visitors and a wide range of customer actions (such as checking out).

Supply Chain

Any discussion on expansion is going to take you to your supply chain. Even if your supply chain is small, it should always be a consideration. The further your supply chain reaches, the more crucial it is to understand and properly manage it. Not only can a lax supply chain breed human rights violations, but it also means you cannot adequately keep an eye on the products you sell.  

Thankfully, there are supply chain management systems available. These can make sure your suppliers are paid on time and that new orders go out at the right times. Go one step further and remember to audit these suppliers to ensure that they are the best people to be working with, both in terms of their values and in terms of whether or not they can handle order increases as you expand.

Sustainability

Today, there isn’t a single business that shouldn’t have sustainability at its core, especially when it expands. Sustainability isn’t just about making sure that you don’t harm the environment; it’s about trying to create a positive net effect with your business management.

This means making sure your suppliers are in line with your values, yes, but it also means trying to create a positive, future-looking and responsible attitude with your company. The opportunities available will differ depending on your business model, but just remember that starting with sustainability now will make it far easier in the future to stay on top of new regulations and taxes that aim to protect the environment.

Expanding into Society

When expanding, it can be very hard to stay entirely online. Though people spend large quantities of time online, you will only really be able to expand when you go where your customers are. You don’t need to open your own stores, either.

If you sell products, find suppliers. If you sell a service, set up booths and attend conferences and events where you can connect directly with your client base.

There are many ways to expand your online business into the offline world, and you don’t even necessarily need to shift away from the online business model. What you do need to do is make a note of opportunities and go for them. If you can get your product mentioned in a popular magazine, your business will expand. If you can gain ten new clients after attending a conference, your business will expand.

Online businesses should be hybrid businesses, so that you can connect with and grow with your customers, no matter where they are located.