Guest article by Devon King of BizConsult.info

As a small business owner, you may be ready to expand your business in order to reach new customers and increase profits. But before you take that leap, it’s important to have a plan in place so that your expansion is successful. We’ve compiled five tips to help you get started.
Offer Gift Cards for Referrals
One of the best ways to draw in new customers for your business is by offering incentives to existing customers for referrals. Gift cards are an easy way to accomplish this, and with API integration, they can easily be sent out. This makes it easier for customers to get their rewards quickly and start promoting your business. When you implement this gift card API, you can easily create a referral program that will reward both you and your customers.
Diversify Your Revenue Sources
Expanding your business doesn’t just mean bringing in more customers; it also means finding new ways to make money. Subscription services can be a great way to generate additional revenue, and they can provide a predictable stream of income. Additionally, online product sales, digital services like web design or content creation, and advertising are all potential sources of revenue that could benefit your business.
Monitor Progress
Once you have established an expansion plan, it is essential to stay focused on those goals and measure progress over time. Taking note of how successful each strategy has been will help you make any necessary adjustments going forward in order to attract new customers and generate more revenue. Regularly assessing your growth process will ensure that you are always aligned with your original objectives.

Reconsider Your Business Structure
If you are expanding your business significantly, then it may be worth converting it into an LLC (limited liability company). This type of legal structure provides protection from personal liability for owners if something goes wrong with the business which makes it a great option for businesses looking to grow beyond what sole proprietorships offer. Make sure you research all state filing requirements when making this transition so that everything is done legally and correctly.
Create Clear Objectives Before Expanding
Having a solid plan in place before expanding will help ensure that your efforts are successful and that there are few surprises along the way. Make sure you have identified target markets, outlined strategies for reaching those markets, established marketing plans, and budgeted appropriately for any expenses associated with expansion — including hiring additional staff or investing in new software as needed. Finally, develop milestones or benchmarks so that progress along the way can be measured accurately.
Assessing the Threats and Opportunities
Take some time before expanding to analyze both your market and competition thoroughly. Research competitors’ pricing models, target markets, and customer reviews. Doing this can help provide insights into how best to approach any changes or expansions within your own organization while also helping avoid any common missteps made by others within the same field/space which could potentially derail success.
Expanding a small business is no easy feat, but you can do it successfully. By taking steps like incentivizing customer referrals with gift cards, changing your business structure, and diversifying your revenue sources, your efforts can pay off in the long run.
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About the Author
Devon King
BizConsult.info
About BizConsult.info
Every business owner needs an advocate, a mentor, a guide — someone who knows how to navigate the rocky road to growing a successful business. If your business is in need of this helping force, Biz Consult is here for you. From honing your business plan to growing your customer base to improving your website, we offer guidance specialized to your needs.