As we head into a new year, now is the perfect time to give your business a health checkup. Think of a health check as all the changes you have been putting off throughout the year. And in this blog, we’re going to show you how making the right changes to your business can give it an added advantage. Are you ready to learn how to prepare your business for the new year? Let’s get to it!

Before we start – missed a part of our Creative Business Series? Catch up below.

• How to Pick the Perfect Email Address
• Are Business cards still necessary?
• Should I name my business after myself?
• Spring Clean Your Computer Checklist

Where you are in your business journey will determine the best way to prepare for the new year.

So we’ve created three parts starting with The Simple Changes you can make, moving on to The Medium Changes and finally ending with The Maximum Changes.

Part 1 – The Simple Changes
To prepare your business for the New Year

Think of these as the low-hanging fruit in your business. These are simple updates, amends or changes that you can complete without too much fuss yet make a meaningful impact on your business. We always recommend starting here.

1. Add a Favicon to your Website

Adding unexpected details to your website is what makes it truly unforgettable, and not including the tiniest detail of all – your favicon, could be hurting your website.

If you already have a favicon, do a check-up on whether you’re still happy with how it looks. And, if you’ve updated your logo, does your favicon match?

Need to know how to create a favicon? This blog will tell you how.

2. Join our Tailwind Community: Boost your Creative Business
– For Artists, Textile & Surface Pattern Designers

Tailwind and Pinterest work hand in hand in showcasing your work to your target audience and, as a designer, is perfect for you. And when you join our free Tailwind Community, the process is even easier.

This blog will explain everything & even give you a $15 credit for any paid Tailwind product.

3. Write down your Yearly Business Goals

A digital calendar is good, but to really keep you motivated and help meet your business goals in style, we always suggest a printed calendar where you can physically write down, highlight and see your year at a glance.

And the perfect one for your business would be our Undated Yearly and Quarter at Glance (Q1-Q4) Wall Planners.

4. Get a Business Card

Are business cards (really) necessary? If you think business cards are useless and old-fashioned and all you need to do is a google search, we want to challenge that thinking and help you start the year with a new perspective. 

There are three reasons why we believe they are still relevant and how they can help make you and your business stand out next year. Find out what they are here.

5. Pick the Perfect Email Address

Your email address says more about your business than you think. And knowing how to pick the perfect email address can build trust, while the one you may currently have could be turning potential customers away.
Which one are you doing?

We’ll explain what makes the perfect email address and share options on how to secure it today. Learn all the steps here.

BONUS: Update your Blurry Images on your Website

Do you have pixelated or blurry images on your website? We have the solution to fix this common problem, so you can say goodbye to blurry website images and discover how to have Picture Perfect ones every time. We’ll walk you through the steps in our 2-part series.

Part 2 – The Medium Changes
To prepare your business for the New Year

Now we move on to parts that require a little more planning and consideration. Before this blog, you might have brushed them aside and told yourself – I’ll do that later. But together, we’re going to tackle them and make them feel achievable and, once you do, you’ll be shocked at the positive impact it has on your business.

1. Use your Brand Colours to make your website pop!

We think of this as one of our favourite website branding secrets to make your website stand out. And the majority of your competition isn’t even aware of how to do it. This blog will explain all.

2. Create a Signature Logo

Does your logo reflect you and your business? If you’re a personal brand, we always suggest naming your business after yourself, and the perfect logo to go with this is your signature.

Don’t know how to create a signature logo? This blog will help.

3. Add new Client Testimonials to your Website

Have you included testimonials on your site? Or have you pushed them aside, and you’ll think about them later? Now is the time to add or update the ones you currently have.

Take a closer look at how testimonials can help your business grow and our favourite way to create them using Showit. Find all the answers here.

4. Refresh Your Website with our Do’s & Don’ts FREE Guide

How long has it been since you gave your site an update? Google and SEO love it when you add new blogs or make updates to your website, as it shows you’re providing your audience with fresh content and that you’re a leader in your field.

This blog will tell you exactly what to add (and, just as importantly, what to leave out). And it’s also available as a handy FREE guide download.

5. Protect your Website Legally

There are two legal things every website (including yours) must have. A GDPR Compliant Terms & Conditions and A Privacy Policy. Does your website have them?

We explain here the best way to get them for your site & our affiliate link that you can use for your website.

BONUS: Watermark your Designs

Sharing your creative work online is the best way to get found by potential clients. But how do you share without being copied? Watermarking your designs could be the answer. 

If you’ve been putting watermarking off, we’re sharing our step-by-step insider tips on how to create your own watermark all inside this blog.

Part 3 – The Maximum Changes
To prepare your business for the New Year

These are things in your business that you’ve wanted to update for ages but just haven’t had the time, energy or know-how of what to do. Making changes here will have the maximum impact on your business, but you don’t have to do everything at once. We’ve given you a few ideas below to get you started.

1. “Spring Clean” Your Computer

We’ve all heard of Spring cleaning our cupboards, wardrobe or even garage but have you ever considered taking it a step further and trying it on something a little different? It’s time to Spring Clean your computer.

We’ve created our Top 17 Tips to Spring Clean Your Computer (plus a special bonus one not to be missed!) Check out all the tips here.

2. Update & Refresh your Brand Colours

Do you struggle when it comes to choosing a colour palette for your business? (Most creatives do!). With personal brands (meaning your name is in the title of your business or the face behind your brand), it’s often a fine line between what you like and what will resonate with your ideal client.

This 2-part series will explain How (& where) to pick the perfect colours for your brand. Plus, pick up our free interactive PDF guide download.

3. Create a Brand Style Guide for your Business

Just like a map guides you to where you want to go, a Brand Style Guide is your visual map to help create consistency across your Visual Branding.

Now is the time to give your brand a professional makeover and this blog will walk you through the six sections you need to consider. Plus, we offer the entire guide as a free download for you to fill in your business details.

4. Get a New Website

Creating and launching a new website can be really overwhelming. That’s why we designed Simple to Use, Update and Publish Showit website templates for creatives like you. Plus, every website template includes our step-by-step training guide series, so you’ll never be left wondering what to do next.

Website Templates for Surface Patterns, Textile Designers, Artists & Illustrators – Here & Here. And for our Photography friends – check this & this one out.

5. Define your Signature Style

After years of working in the design industry, I have finally understood the importance of a signature style and how it makes you stand out. But don’t worry, you don’t have to spend years discovering. I’m going to share with you my insider tips to help find your style (and how that will help attract the work you want).

This blog explains everything.

BONUS: Update your Mac

Whether you’re a textile or surface pattern designer or an artist and illustrator, we always recommend a Mac. But with so many choices available, have you ever asked yourself – Which Mac is Best for Designers? Are you ready to find out?

You Did it!

That’s a wrap on How to Prepare your Business for the New Year. What changes are you going to make? Did you prefer the simple, medium or maximum ones, or will you try a mixture of all of them? Let us know. And in the meantime, follow us on Pinterest for more blog posts like this.

Where to now?

What changes will you make to your business next year? Check out the services & products we mentioned.

1. Start with a simple change by joining our Tailwind community here.
2. Medium change is next up website photos enhanced to your brand colours.
3. Finally, a maximum one buying a new Showit Website Template.

New to Showit?
Grab our cheat sheet – 15 Showit Shortcuts

Save time and frustration building your website by using our 15 Showit Shortcuts. We’ve included both keyboard and icon shortcuts to make the process smooth and easy. Get it Free Here!

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