Just outside the bustle of Philadelphia, West Chester is the perfect place to make a home and raise a family. As one of Pennsylvania’s fastest growing suburban areas, West Chester also offers lots of opportunities for entrepreneurs. As the self-employment trend continues to rise, more people are looking for avenues to open a business. If you’ve been thinking of opening a business in the West Chester area, here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Determine Your Location
Depending on the type of business you plan to open, you may want to work from home, at least starting out, or you may need to locate a storefront for lease West Chester PA. There are advantages t both. Working from a home office can save you money, but having a storefront is also an investment in advertising as potential clients can find you as they pass by your store on the street. The right choice will need to be weighed out based on your individual circumstances.
2. Get the Right Permits and Licenses
The permits and licenses you will need will also e contingent upon what type of business you operate, but every business in West Chester must apply for a Business Privilege Tax License. Fortunately, the West Chester Business Improvement District has published a complete checklist as well as contacts for every type of business that plans to open in the area.
3. Market Your Business
This last step is crucial to your success. You want to make sure your potential clients know about your business and can find it or make contact with you. A website and a Facebook page are obvious necessities, but also register your business in business search directories such as Yelp, Google Business and YellowPages.com. Also, employ SEO strategies for all your online pages.