While coming up with an initial idea that will serve as the basis of your startup can be completed in a single brainstorming session, actually following through with a comprehensive business plan can become a complicated process. Many of the complexities that you’ll encounter during the founding of a company will involve conducting certain comparisons to select ideal services and products that your business will need to operate effectively. To simplify the challenge of making those key selections, try heeding the following four proven comparison strategies:
1. Use a Service Comparison Platform
If your company is going to have an ongoing need for gas, electricity, water, or other utilities, it’s important to make sure you’re getting locked into an optimal rate for those services from the beginning. You can use utilities bidder comparison platforms to drastically simplify this process within a centralised interface. Likewise, any digital services, software, or subscriptions that will be required to facilitate optimal productivity should be carefully compared as well. If you can’t find a platform that fetches live quotes or prices, you can usually at least find a curated list of providers and plan options via a web search.
2. Check Reviews and Ratings
Once you’ve conducted an initial comparison of the prices and features offered by each prospective service provider, you should then verify their credibility and overall reputation by reading reviews and checking ratings on business directories like Yelp. There are plenty of these sites to visit, and you can usually find an assortment of public feedback by simply performing a Google search using this format: {company or service name} {reviews} or {ratings}.
3. Give Their Customer Support a Try
Calling or emailing a company before you commit to doing business with them is always a good idea. This will help you gauge the responsiveness and helpfulness of their customer service. If you find that you regularly have to wait on hold for long periods of time, or you encounter support agents who aren’t knowledgeable or friendly, those might be signs that you should continue your comparison elsewhere. It’s usually not wise to save money in exchange for horrible service because that kind of exchange can wind up backfiring in the form of major business disruptions down the road.
4. Base Your Decision on Experience
If you really want to know that you’re making the right selection in your comparison, it’s best to try multiple providers when possible. That way, you’ll be basing your decision on first-hand experience rather than relying purely on research. While this might not be a practical option if you’re dealing with services that can’t be run concurrently (i.e. – your office electricity/gas service), it’s usually a worthwhile step to take when applicable.
Making Better Selections Can Save You Time, Money, and Hassle
Ultimately, choosing the right service providers for your startup will not only will keep you from having to switch providers later on, it could also save you money and hassle in the short-term by reducing your monthly operating expenses and obligations.
