Do you feel like an underdog? Usually, in some cases, being an underdog is a good thing; customers are usually more inclined to support underdogs because they’re far more relatable. But regardless, it’s still pretty hard running a business when the bigger ones are always going to outlast you. 

Running a small business can often feel that way—especially when you’re competing with the big dogs who seem to have endless resources. But did you know that making your small business look bigger could actually turn things around? Here’s why and how you can achieve just that. But why is this even necessary? Well, here’s exactly what you need to know!

Why is this Needed?

When you’re wanting to grow your business into something bigger, you have to keep in mind it’s all about faking it until you make it. Yep, you read that right! While sure, it’s not exactly ideal; it is something that seriously needs to be recognised. People tend to gravitate and trust businesses that are bigger- it’s easier for someone to trust something that’s successful because it’s been “proven to work.” Sure, it’s not ideal, but that’s exactly why you have to do this. You’re still playing by the rules, and this isn’t a shortcut, either.  But now, let’s get more into the nitty-gritty of it. 

Build Trust with Your Brand Image

Think about it—when you’re shopping online or looking to hire services, aren’t you more inclined to trust businesses that look polished and professional? There’s a psychological comfort in working with a business that appears established. It screams reliability and stability, which can be a game changer for any small operation aiming to win over cautious customers.

Land Larger Clients

Bigger clients typically mean bigger budgets. However, these clients often hesitate to partner with smaller businesses due to fears about capacity and support. By projecting a larger image, your small business can reassure potential big clients that you’re more than capable of handling their needs, putting their concerns to rest. Again, it’s not fair, but it’s how it is, so looking bigger just gives more reassurance. 

You’re Staying Ahead of Competitors 

Oh yes, you guessed right- in a sea of competitors, standing out is key. Appearing as a more substantial business can give you a leg up. It might make competitors think twice before going head-to-head with you on big projects or aggressive pitches. This can also position you favorably in the eyes of customers who are comparing options in your market.

You’ll Be Attracting Great Talent

If you’re looking to hire or think you’ll eventually be hiring, then this is definitely a great idea! Top-notch professionals look for promising and stable opportunities. They want to know they’re joining a business that’s going somewhere. A small business that looks like it’s on the up and up can attract talent looking for growth and dynamism—qualities that they might mistakenly think only big companies possess.

Potential to Secure More Investment

Now, this doesn’t mean lying about your information (such as sales, profit, etc.), basically anything that’s illegal. Don’t do that! But you do have to keep in mind that investors are on the lookout for businesses that have growth potential. A well-presented, seemingly large, and successful business can be much more appealing to investors than a small, unpolished one. So, just by looking the part, you might just catch the eye of someone willing to make a big bet on your business.

How to Give Your Small Business a Big-Business Makeover

Starting out small doesn’t mean you have to think small. In fact, when it comes to business, sometimes appearing bigger can open doors and create opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have. So, just as mentioned above, it’s important to go about this: where can you start with walking the walk and talking the talk?

Polish Your Image with Professional Branding

First impressions count. Think of your brand as your business’s outfit. Would you go to a business meeting in pajamas? The same logic applies here. Investing in a professional logo, a well-designed website, and cohesive branding materials (like business cards and brochures) can dress up your business to impress. Now, a lot of businesses use Canva, and while theres is nothing wrong with Canva, people just know Canva when they see it. For logos, it’s just not a good idea. This doesn’t just attract customers; it also builds trust and suggests you’re a serious contender in the industry.

Branded Products

Once you have professional branding, it’s going to be a good idea to go ahead and start looking into branded products. Specifically, you’re going to want to dip your toes into promotional products like stickers, water bottles, shirts, hats, patches, and things like that. Of course, these should be useful. But why do this? Well, when you network or go to events like a trade show, it’s going to be massively beneficial. Plus, even little stickers just really help make you stand out. 

Boost Your Appearance Online

So, a dead giveaway that you’re a small business is the fact that your business has a small following. It really can be as simple as that! This means having a user-friendly website, active social media profiles, and perhaps even a content-rich blog. Just think of it this way: each digital touchpoint is an opportunity to show off your expertise and enhance your visibility. The more polished and active your online presence, the bigger your business appears. Seriously, this is exactly what you want!

Consider the Tech You Use

So, what tech are you using for your business? In fact, it’s not always about what others can see but what you can see! Ideally, you should start using technology to streamline your operations, which can not only save you time and money but also enhance your business’s professionalism. 

For example, it’s going to be a pretty good idea to start using tools like customer relationship management software, automated billing, and project management tools, which suggest a level of operational sophistication that’s often associated with larger companies. So it’s not always what others see, but what you see and how you operate too.

Wow Them With Your Website

The last thing you want to use is Squarespace or some other template based website, it’s a dead giveaway at this point when businesses are using these. Plus, thing of wour website is often your first handshake with potential customers. What impression do you want to leave? A professional-looking site with easy navigation, quick load times, and stunning visuals speaks volumes. It says you value quality and care about your visitors’ experience, making your small business look mighty impressive.

Take a Look at Your Customer Service

So it was already mentioned above, but it’s a good idea to go a bit more into detail with this. Big companies are known for having streamlined support systems; you can usually tell if a business is large just by judging by the customer service channels that they have. While you might not be able to staff a 24/7 call center, you can offer excellent customer service in other ways. For example, why not consider setting up a chatbot on your website for 24/7 basic inquiries? You could even look into a ticketing system for email queries.

Consider How You Network

 It’s really going to help if you’re able to attend industry conferences, participate in webinars, and engage on professional platforms like LinkedIn. The more you connect and share your knowledge, the more your business’s profile will grow, making it appear larger and more entrenched in the industry.

Leverage Partnerships

This can involve partnering with large businesses, small businesses, or even some influencers. Overall, collaborating with other businesses can extend your reach and capabilities. It could involve a joint venture, a partnership for certain projects, or simply sharing resources; partnerships can amplify what you can offer and broaden your customer base. 

So, it’s not just about looking big and professional, but this will help get more customers, too (which is technically the end goal here). Plus, being associated with other established businesses can boost your own business’s credibility. But of course, keep in mind that this needs to be an equal opportunity for the other businesses, too. 

Focus on Quality

Finally, remember that appearing big should never come at the expense of quality. So, what this means is that you’re going to want to just consistently offer excellent products or services is that will ultimately uphold your business’s reputation. Both of these are pretty much just hallmarks of successful companies, no matter their size.

Keeping It Real

While these tips are about giving your small business a bigger, more professional veneer, it’s crucial to back up that appearance with genuine substance and to stay grounded in what makes your business unique. After all, the ultimate goal is to grow your business authentically so that one day, you won’t just appear big—you’ll be big. By all means, you should fake it until you make it, but don’t be too fake, or else that will kill what authenticity there is.