Starting a new business has never been easier! You need a flexible idea that would sell and allow you to adapt to the market, you need to focus on planning wisely every aspect of your business, but most of all, you must make sure your business serves the right audience, especially if you are a foreign entrepreneur and are aiming towards a business startup in the U.S. Here are 5 mistakes you should avoid in order to create a successful business.
- Your business idea does not appeal to mass audiences
Most entrepreneurs are so blinded by the business idea they came up with, that they forget to question themselves if that idea it is useful to others and not just to them. Focusing on a marginal niche can be bad for a launching business. Usually, when choosing a marginal niche entrepreneurs unconsciously try to avoid competition.
Targeting a small group of consumers limits your ideas and competitiveness.  Competition is necessary for a healthy business environment because it proves you are having good ideas. If your product or service meets the current demand on the market, then you can be sure you will gain popularity. Always ask yourself if it would be a great startup idea for someone else.
- You’re not gathering and using feedback from your audience
Not asking your customers’ opinion on the product you sell and not using their feedback as an opportunity may seriously damage your new business. Fewer than 5% of businesses ever achieve growth targets because their owners have a strong belief that they know what the prospects want and resist in being told otherwise.
Ignoring strong criticism from your audience will do you no good. Business owners need to hear what they don’t want to. Strong criticism shows you that your audience cares enough to tell you the reality of your business instead of just saying nice things and not engaging at all.
- Your idea is not flexible to adapt to market changes
Most entrepreneurs become strongly attached to an idea that serves the market only for a small amount of time because it doesn’t have what it takes to adapt ever changing market conditions. A company needs to take a new direction, at some point.
Taking a new direction doesn’t necessarily imply you are heading towards failure, but that your business can benefit from a market opportunity that may not of been apparent before.
- Not creating achievable goals for your business
Starting a new business means thoughtful planning and setting objectives on a long and short term. Foreign entrepreneurs that decide to incorporate in the U.S, for example, have to set up a very good strategy given their U.S. customers and the high competitiveness of the market.
Make sure you plan your business in each one of its aspects and set up obtainable and measurable goals. Plan big, without avoiding competition. For incorporating in the U.S. you should appeal to an incorporating firm, such as Inc.Plan USA, that could help you with professional counseling on launching a successful business.
- You blindly follow advice from your investors
Many entrepreneurs starting business rely on their investors not only for financial issues but also to seek ongoing business advice. However, investors are not always reliable. When it comes to creating and revising your products, you are your best advisor. Do your own research and chose the best solutions for your company. Moreover, you can take counseling from a professional firm to help you in the early stages of building your dream company.
