Starting a new business is scary. There’s a lot to do, it needs a lot of your time and focus, and it can take a while before you start to see the results of your hard work.

Many small businesses struggle for a few years before they even see a profit. But, then, when things are going well, and you’ve settled into your new role, you might be tempted to expand.

An expansion is a great way to reach a new audience, to grow your business, to build a reputation and to make more money. But, expanding isn’t as simple as just opening another office or store and carrying on the same. There’s a bit more to think about.

Take Your Time

Don’t rush your expansion. Don’t think that you need to open a new location every year, or that you are ready to grow as soon as your first outlet starts to turn a profit.

Make sure your success is consistent and take your time to consider your options before opening a new location. Ask yourself if you’d be better suited increasing your online sales or improving your website before you do more in the real world.

Create a Network

Operating two locations can be tough. You'll only ever get to be in one at a time after all. The easiest way to keep control of both is often by creating an SD-WAN. This will help you to manage both sites, make life easier for your staff and help you to control stock.

Make Sure Your First Workplace is Ready

If you’ve always spent time managing your workplace and you’ve given it a lot of your attention, even if you’ve employed a manager, but you’ve always been there to supervise and make the big decisions, suddenly stepping away can make things hard.

You might plan to employ a manager for your new location, but, during the opening period, it’s going to need a lot of your attention. Make sure the first location is ready to manage without you. You might want to consider hiring extra staff or promoting from within. Make sure your team are well-trained, and that they know what to do in every situation.

Recruit the Right Manager

If you are going to run two sites, you’ll need at least one manager, either for the new site or the established one. But, your business is still small. It still needs your influence. Make sure you find the right manager. Someone who understands your vision and is willing to give the growth of your business plenty of time and effort.

Know Your Market

Many big businesses have failed when it comes to expanding into a new location, simply because they assume that the new store will be the same as the old one. They open a shop in a new area and think that the customers want and need the same.

It’s essential that you recognise that your new market isn’t the same as the old. Do your research, understand what your new customers are looking for, and find ways to give it to them.