Is Your Start-Up Ready to Launch?

Your product and business plan may be ready to go, but consider your timing. When will demand for it be highest? Even if you've determined it's something people want, it may not be the best time. For example, the beginning of the pandemic lockdown isn't a good time to launch an events app. Demand could also be seasonal, so take that into account as well.

Before you launch, have a clear marketing plan in place. Consider collaborations with other businesses to build publicity and gain contacts for your email lists. You can spread buzz about your product or service long before your official launch to start building a following.

Getting this initial following can help you test your ideas before the full launch. Consider a soft launch or “beta launch” to let a select group test your website and product to give you feedback about any bugs or improvements that can be made. Ensure all of these are fixed before launching. Of course, you should also thoroughly test everything before this stage, but it's easy to miss something when you're not viewing it from the customer's perspective.

Finally, consider how much manpower you need to launch and whether you have the funds needed. Who do you need to hire if the product is successful? If the product or service takes off, can you afford to have it produced and delivered in a timely fashion? Can you handle customer service requests and marketing? If you don't have the funding for this, put the launch plan on hold and focus on raising funds.