Many entrepreneurs make the error of bringing on investors too soon.

There is a good moment and a terrible time to bring on investors. And, according to Vivek Chugh of Listables, taking them on too soon, especially before you’ve developed any form of MVP (minimal viable product), can undermine your firm. The reason this is terrible is that if you convince investors you have a fantastic concept and then have to spend their money working out the simplest method to make that idea work, as well as on the inevitable initial blunders, you will quickly burn through that money and want new investment.

The best method to avoid this is to create a minimum viable product (MVP) and market test it. Figure out your initial company model, which of the seven marketing functions works and which does not, and get your product or service out there a little to see whether there is a demand for it. You will go much further if you complete these things before making the initial investment. Also, make sure you do the Porter’s Five Forces Analysis ahead of time!

 

Even if you have the best idea in the world, if you don’t have the right revenue model, your startup will fail.

According to Jon Nastor of Hack the Entrepreneur, recurring revenue is one of the most consistent forms of monetization your startup can achieve; without it, you’ll be dead in the water. Yes, some firms and marketplaces will be more difficult to recognise a recurring model in, but as a wise entrepreneur, it is your responsibility to do so. It is critical to build a consistent and regular revenue stream if you want to attract venture funding. Many outstanding ideas and startups have died as a result of their inability to create a recurring revenue strategy.

Underestimating how long sales take is one of the most common mistakes made by startups

When you’re designing your business idea, you’ll often do some kind of financial estimate for the future to get a sense of how much money you should be coming in. Many firms overestimate the quantity of sales they’ll make because they believe the procedure is straightforward.

The truth is that sales take time, and working with B2B clients takes much longer.

Customers have a plethora of excuses and reasons for not purchasing a product, but if you offer a subscription service, keep in mind that they can cancel at any time. This implies you should account for a longer sales process and the likelihood of losing some subscribers over time when projecting your sales results. According to Alexander Winston, Managing Director of PPC Protect, these forecasts will not only be more accurate, but they will also help you better manage your expectations.

Ignoring the figures

It’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy, especially if you’re generating fantastic cash flow and selling more than you ever imagined, but make sure you’re thinking about profitability and growth. Depending on your industry, earning less sales can sometimes be more profitable than having the highest possible sales.

 You’re not doing your own bookkeeping

Katie DeCicco suggests learning Quickbooks online. Their personnel will walk you through the process of setting up your accounts. Keep a record of your expenditures. Better merchant processing prices, bank fees, credit card interest rates, and supplier rates can all be negotiated. Some companies are searching for you to take advantage of your inexperience, thus new enterprises have a bullseye on their back. Find a fantastic accountant who can educate you how to read a Profit and Loss Report and a Balance Sheet. You want an accountant that can also assist you in sticking to a budget. These are essential instruments for your company’s success.

One of the most common mistakes made by startups is failing to raise the finance needed to develop their concept

this could be due to the person in charge of generating funds not being very good at it.

Another common blunder made by companies is not bringing in enough money to pay operating expenses.

This can happen in a number of ways.

It’s possible that the company won’t address an issue. That’s important enough for customers to pay as much money as it needs to develop a profitable business model. Typically, the cost of obtaining a client exceeds the value of the customer to the organisation.

Source: online business , online business ideas