Everything you need to know

Perhaps you’re one of those who’ve been considering starting up your own tech company. You’ve harboured dreams of being your own boss for a while now and being master of your time. No more 8 to 5 for you. This seems like the perfect time to do it. While this is possible, you must first learn how to start a tech company in Kenya so that you can increase your chances of success.

Tech companies are one of the rising business opportunities all over the world as they yield large amounts of profit if maintained well. Starting a tech company may be challenging, especially when you have no background information on how to begin. If you have enough knowledge of the dos and don’ts of operating such a company, you are bound for success.

Considerations before starting a tech company

Before you think of how to start a tech company and become a great entrepreneur, you need to learn how to build a product that will attract people. Here are some useful tips:

• Build your product, making it as perfect as you can.
• Get the right software that will make your product successful.
• Choose the right team that will help you grow your business.
• Prepare to fail as there are other products in the market that are competing with yours.
• Partner with other businesses that will help market your product.

How to start a tech company without a tech background

Having innovative ideas in information technology is a major key to beginning a tech company. You need to come up with a product or idea that’s quite unique from other products available in the market so that you can attract people to your side. If you have no tech background, there is no need to panic. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Build a brand

Make sure you establish a brand that’s unique compared to other brands. This way, you will create the identity of your business, which will attract lots of customers. A great way to make a make your brand known is by use of social media as it has a lot of positive influence.

2. to learn

You should be able to create room for learning as much as possible as what might be working for you may become obsolete the next minute. You should always try to stay updated with the latest research, listen to business podcasts, read about what’s changing in your business industry and train your team members regularly.

3. Build your team

In as much as the business belongs to you, you need the help of other people to help you run it. Try and keep your employees encouraged. Create team-building activities that will help them stick together as their spirits will always be high after such activities. Try motivating them by creating an environment that is not too monotonous.

4. Have a good customer service system in place

A great business is that which encourages customers to keep coming again and again. Try and provide the same services you began with, without altering a thing unless when it’s necessary.

Make an efficient customer service by interacting with your customers to get feedback on how your product is doing. Try to compensate your customers in the area in which they received improper services or faulty products.

5. Stay organized

As the business keeps growing, sometimes staying organized becomes a challenge as there are more activities to plan and more tasks to do. If you stay disorganized, you might end up messing your business. You need to ensure that you handle everything in the best manner possible.

Automate your daily tasks in order to avoid biasing on one thing and forgetting the other. Ensure you manage your time well and plan your tasks in order of priority.

6. Be transparent

Transparency will not only boost your business, but it will also earn you trust from your customers. Always share with your customers details about the specifications of your products. Your clients will become loyal to you as they will put their trust in you.

7. Stay abreast with social trends

Social media has a lot of power when it comes to influencing people. Staying abreast with its trends will help you market your product, especially to young people. You need to be present on all the social media platforms if you want to reach as many customers as possible.

8. Involve your customers

Let your customers tell you what they think about your service or product as they are the consumers of your products and services. Give them a chance to express how they feel about your business and what they think needs to be changed. Remember, as a business; you want your customers to return as well as feel welcomed and appreciated.

9. Track your engagements

Tracking your engagements will help you understand what is working best for your clients. This will, in turn, help you identify areas that need to be rectified in order to improve service provision in your company.

10. Know your competitors

Understand that there are other products available in the market, which are similar to your products. Learning about your competitors will help you know their next move, which will help you plan a step ahead of them. Analyze your competitor’s business strategies and compare them with yours.

How to start a tech company with no money

Capital is the key requirement for starting any business. If you have no money and you still dream of starting a tech company, you should not lose hope. In Kenya, startup funding may not be so easy, especially if you do not have any savings of your own.

Here are a few tips to help you start a tech company with no money:

1. Build your product

If you have no money, you need to focus your energy on building your product. You do not need money to build your product or service,. For instance, if you are planning to start a tech company specializing in software development, you can start off by writing the code. You can build the foundation of your company at no cost.

2. Sell before you even have a product

After you are done with building your product, you should proceed to contact the target market and pitch them on your idea. This will help you know if people are interested in the product you are building. You can accept pre-orders for the product.

If you are successful at this stage, you will move you out of the ‘starting a tech startup with no money’ situation in the early stages. Ensure that you have an audience for the product you are building.

3. Marketing

Having no money puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to marketing your product. However, you can use free marketing techniques to grow your target market organically. For instance, you should find out where your target market hangs out online and assimilate yourself into those communities.

Launch the product or service on the sites that are free to use. You could also attend meetings or events that involve your target market and make personal connections.

4. Make an effort to secure grant money from the government or organizations

Although startup business grants may be difficult to obtain, there are things that you can do to increase your chances. Once you find the grant that you think is best for your business, gather everything you need to know before applying. If you have a great tech idea, you might be fortunate to secure some grant money that will help you start the tech company.

Technology business ideas for startup

Are you stuck on innovative ideas in information technology for a startup? Which business can you start with a laptop? When you think of high tech businesses, big names like Google and Facebook probably come to mind. But you don’t have to think that big when you’re just starting out. Here is a list of tech business ideas for a startup which you can try:

• Smartphone repair
• Refurbished device sales
• Social media consulting
• Online advertising platform
• Digital marketing consultant
• Wed design service
• IT equipment service
• Internet café
• Online school

If you are tired of the regular 8 am -5 pm work schedule and are probably thinking about how to start a tech company, you can follow the above comprehensive guide on starting such a business. There are many free resources and tutorials available on the web to shorten your learning curve and allow you to get your tech business out of the starting blocks.

Tuko.co.ke published an article on working from home in Kenya. As more and more Kenyans switch to working from home, a large percentage still doesn’t understand what it entails. Working from home can be great on many levels, but also comes with its challenges.

You will save time and money that could have been used in the daily commute, but will also have to deal with distractions in your domestic setting. Whether you have tarmacked unsuccessfully or you want to quit your 9-5 job for something that allows you more flexibility and time around your family, working remotely may be your best option.

Source: TUKO.co.ke