When you open a new business, the list of "digital things" you're told you must do is endless: website, logo, five social networks, blog, newsletter, advertising. Trying to do it all at once is the quickest route to lots of half-finished things and nothing working.
What follows is a simple plan for the first four weeks, designed for one person with little time. It doesn't promise a flood of customers: it promises that by the end you'll have an organised base to keep building on.
Week 1: name, domain and a clear idea of who you're talking to
Before opening any account, write down in three sentences what you sell, to whom and why they'd choose you. It sounds obvious, but everything else (copy, images, which network to use) depends on that answer.
Once the name is chosen, check that it's easy to spell and say out loud, that the domain is free (preferably with a well-known extension) and that the same name, or a very close one, is available on the networks you plan to use. If you'll trade under a business name, it's worth checking it doesn't clash with an already-registered trademark. Register the domain in your name or your company's, and keep the passwords in a password manager.
Week 2: the minimum viable website
You don't need a twenty-page site to start. You need anyone who finds you to understand within a few seconds what you do, where, for whom and how to get in touch. A minimal website usually has:
- A home page that explains your offer clearly.
- One page per main service or product, or just one if you only have a single offer.
- An "about" page with your face and your story: trust weighs heavily for a new business.
- A visible way to get in touch (phone, WhatsApp or form) and whatever legal texts apply to your activity.
Looking good on mobile and loading fast matter more than any decoration. The rest can grow later.
Week 3: Google profile and one or two networks, not five
If you serve customers in a specific area or have premises, create and verify your Google Business Profile: it's one of the most worthwhile actions for a local business. Fill it in with a category, opening hours, services, real photos and the address or service area. If you work only online and don't serve people in person, you may not qualify; check Google's guidelines.
On social media, choose one or two where your audience really is and where you can keep up a steady pace. A half-built profile looks worse than none, so rule out for now any network you won't look after. Say the same thing on all of them: the name, the profile picture and a description of what you do and who you help, with a link to your website.
Week 4: first content and collecting contacts
Prepare a handful of pieces that answer the questions your future customers already ask: how you work, what your service includes, frequent questions, a before and after if you have one. You don't need to invent anything spectacular; explaining what you do well already adds value. Publish them on your website and reuse them on the networks you've chosen.
And don't let visitors leave without a trace. Offer a clear way to keep their contact: an enquiry form, a mailing list with a specific reason to join (a short guide, an opening notice, a first consultation) or a WhatsApp button. It's also a good moment to install basic analytics and see where visits come from.
What to expect and how to continue
At the end of the month you'll have a foundation, not results. Ranking on Google, social networks starting to move something or customers recommending you takes time and consistency, and no timeframe can be guaranteed. What you can do is set aside a fixed slot each week to publish, answer messages and review what's working.
If you have a budget, paid advertising can speed up the first enquiries, but it works much better when the website and profile are already ready to receive them.
Frequently asked questions
What's better to start with: a website or just social media?
Ideally a simple website even if you use social networks, because it's the only thing you control: it doesn't depend on a platform's changes and it's where Google can find you. Social networks help you get known, but they should lead to a place you own.
Do I need a professional logo from day one?
It isn't essential. A simple, legible logo, together with two colours and a consistent typeface, lets you start with a good image. If the business works, you can invest later in a more developed identity.
How much time a week should I put into it?
During the first month, setting up takes more hours because you're building the foundation. Afterwards, a short, steady routine pays off more than long irregular sessions; a few fixed hours a week are usually enough to keep the basics going.