| Sometimes building a business in a small town is more | | | | placed in front of your business and advertising in the |
| difficult because of the limited customer base, | | | | newspaper. In small towns, word of mouth advertising |
| competition and the lack of interest in your goods and | | | | is still the most powerful tool you have. If you offer |
| services. Before starting a business in a small town, | | | | quality customer service, people will tell others in the |
| make sure you are filling a need. If the town already | | | | community. Using the internet is another tool you have |
| has more than one barber, chances are your shop will | | | | especially if you can ship items to various locations. |
| not turn a profit. If the product you are selling is | | | | Market in every way you have available in order to |
| unfamiliar or costs too much money, your business | | | | create brand loyalty. |
| may not succeed. Finding a product may be your | | | | Once you have established your business, you will |
| biggest challenge but once you find one, marketing it | | | | need to care for it as it grows. This means taking |
| will be the next step. | | | | inventory to see what you need to reorder, making |
| After deciding on a business, you will need to find retail | | | | sure customers are happy with the layout of the store, |
| space. This can be on the main street, your home or it | | | | the products and the customer service. You may |
| can be on a street that is off the main road. The | | | | need to hire employees to help you take care of the |
| further you are from the center of town, the more | | | | business. In small towns, you may be limited in how |
| advertising your need so people will know where you | | | | much you can earn. This may be due to the income |
| are located. Building a website is one way to solve this | | | | level of residents the need for your products and the |
| problem. Even though your business caters primarily to | | | | cost of shopping in your store. |
| those in the town, others may want to visit your shop | | | | You may need to adjust your prices in order to sell |
| to see what you have. Including directions on your | | | | more merchandise. Market analysis can help you |
| website will help people find your location. Billboards, | | | | make the necessary adjustments. Running a business |
| signs and listings in the local newspaper are also ways | | | | in a small town may be more difficult than going to a |
| to help customers find you. | | | | more populated area. But if you can sell items online in |
| Advertising within the town usually includes handing out | | | | addition to opening a storefront, your potential for profit |
| business cards, creating a logo and a sign that is | | | | is increased. |