So, you have decided to set up your own online business in response to demand shown in your products by friends and family. You are unsure about the success of the venture but feel there is nothing to lose. What are the best ways to promote your small business, get good value for money and obtain the best results possible within your budget?

It is a good idea to have a web presence either in the form of a website or a page on one of the social media platforms because this is usually the first port of call for potential customers. If you decide to go down the route of creating a website to promote your business you could either use one of the free applications that provide you with a template to design and create your own website or you can employ the services of a web designer. The latter will probably give your website a more professional look and will possibly be designed to contain key words that will improve the ranking of your site on search engines however the cost may be prohibitive especially as you start out. A better option would be to concentrate on promoting your business through social media as the costs are minimal, and the maintenance is much easier.