Over the last century, the evolution of technology (the internet) has changed the dynamics of the earth. The order of the day is running an online business for every entrepreneur. However, there are more questions to be asked when aspiring to have or have an online business.
Are you running an online business but struggling to stay productive and organized?
Do you find yourself constantly battling distractions and losing focus on important tasks?
This question put up the challenge of managing an online business on the lack of physical interaction and the need to balance work and personal life.
This article aims to address this challenge by stating the top 10 productivity hacks for running an online business in 2023
What are productive hacks in starting an online business?
One of the essential resources in this world is time, how we use and spend it determines how productive we can be in life, When we consider the internet phase (not the physical world), it’s not so different. However, distractions from time-consuming activities can eat up our productivity
Productivity is a measure that qualifies or quantifies economic performance based on the output and input, this simply means the ability to determine the result(output) from the input you put into a specific task, production. In the case of an online business, optimum productivity can be a high number of viewers, comments, likes shares, subscriptions etc and low productivity can mean otherwise
Productivity hacks are simple, easy-to-define techniques, and methodologies used in influencing the input you are putting in to have a quantifiable result.
Running an online business in 2023 can be challenging especially when you consider the various to-do lists such as creating content, social media management, keeping tabs and responding to emails, and keeping track of finances etc. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of your goals. However, with the right productivity hacks, you can take control of your workload and achieve success.
Top 10 Productive Hacks for starting an Online Business
When you consider various online businesses in the world, you will find out there are levels of success attained. From a beginner to an intermediate and then an expert, Here are 10 productivity hacks to abide by to become a successful business
1. Set Goals
The first step is to set goals. Without goals, a clear, well-defined direction or purpose cant be attained which will be easy to get distracted or sidetracked by other tasks. As a business owner or entrepreneur, you need to ask yourself what are your goals (ensure its something realistic)
Goals can be set in two ranges
a. short-term goals: these goals are within a target of weeks, months to 3 years. They are goals set for the time being(present moment). For example: starting with social media, listing on various established e-commerce websites (Jumia, eBay) and
b. long-term goals: these goals are within years to centuries and decades, they are enduring and long shelf goals for the future for example having a personalised website, getting a camera to begin vlogs
Ensure whatever goals you have or choose, they are specific, measurable, and achievable. Write them down and keep them in a visible place so you can remind yourself of what you’re working towards.
2. Prioritize Tasks
After ironing out the goals, next is to put priority on this item on your goals. Priority can be likened to product labels (that it is made from this country or the other), in this case, they are labels of importance or preference(i.e this is to state what goal has to be done daily or first)
A number can be attributed to this goal or plan, then they can be regrouped in ascending or descending order. From this, a daily, weekly or monthly to-do list can be drawn out.
A to-do list helps to stay organized and focused on the most important/critical task which in return gives a sense of accomplishment when you tick off items on your list thus avoiding bogged down by less important tasks.
3. Use Time-Blocking
Time-blocking is an effective technique for managing your time and increasing productivity. Instead of working on tasks as they come up, schedule blocks of time for specific tasks throughout the day. A good example can be implementing the Pomodoro Technique (which is a relatively simple timing technique that is thought to be effective for helping someone get something specific done or to work more efficiently over the long term).
Someone using the Pomodoro Technique will set a timer for 25 minutes and work on a single task for the duration of that time. When the timer goes off, they will take a 5-minute break, reset the timer for 25 minutes, and start again (either on the same task, if needed, or on a different one). After working for four “Pomodoros” (each 25-minute unit counts as one Pomodoro), they will take a longer break usually 15 to 30 minutes. The Pomodoro Technique was named for the tomato-shaped timer its creator, Francesco Cirillo, used to devise the technique (Pomodoro is Italian for “tomato”).
This will help you stay focused and avoid distractions while still having a work-life balance like exercise or spending time with your family.
4. Take Breaks
It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget to take breaks, but this can harm your productivity (mental and physical health). Studies have shown that taking breaks can improve productivity and creativity.
So, make sure you take regular breaks as this can help you recharge and stay focused, ensure you make good use of that time to stretch, meditate, or simply walk around etc.
5. Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are the number one killer of productivity such as unending social media notifications, TikTok comedy videos, youtube sports highlights, email alerts, or noisy surroundings
A colleague of mine who worked as a designer/video editor is a good example, he gets easily distracted when he switches on his phone after a WhatsApp message. Next is the tiktok video which became a concern as he could not finish up work on time
To avoid this, eliminate every form/appearance of distraction, if it takes you to hide or keep your phone on aeroplane mode, have a personal workstation rather than lying on your bed to type a report or article. Then do it because distraction spoils creativity
There are no laws or regulations set down that will automatically eliminate distractions, what you can do is Identify what distract you mostly while working and then look for ways to eliminate them from the surrounding of the workspace/environment. No business owner can avoid distraction easily without putting restrictions, some examples are discussed earlier. However, others include using noise-cancelling headphones to avoid notifications, putting some security on their website to ensure once they spend an appropriate time, it automatically logs out
6. Delegate and Outsource Tasks
As a business owner, it might be tempting to try to do everything yourself within your power. However, studies and analyses from several business management have revealed that its imperative for a business owner to work more on the business rather than in the business
This means that while you are running an online business, you as the business owner need to work on critical roles of expanding the business rather than doing tasks that you can engage interns, volunteers, and freelancers to do with payment in cash, training etc
If you engage in doing tasks yourself, in no time you will burn out and productivity will be abysmal. Instead, delegate tasks to others whenever possible (such as hiring, outsourcing or delegating certain tasks).
7. Use Productivity Tools
There are several categories of productivity tools available in the market that can help you streamline your workflow and increase productivity. From project management tools to time-tracking software, social media management etc.
There are always productivity tools in whatever online business you find yourself doing, experiment with different tools to find the ones that work best for you. Some of which are
- Social media management tools: Hootsuite, sprout social, buzz sumo, canva etc
- Project management tools: Trello, Asana, and Evernote.
- Ecommerce tools: alisave, chatgpt,
8. Automate the Process
Automation is another great way to save time and increase productivity. Look for ways to automate your processes as this can help you focus on more important tasks
9. Practice Self-Care
Running an online business can be stressful, don’t pay negligence with health. The fuel that ensures the body and mind of an entrepreneur get productive is our health. Make sure you take good care of your body by getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly, making time for activities that bring you joy, whether that’s reading, practising mindfulness, seeking support when needed, and taking time off when necessary.
10. Reflect and Adjust
Regularly reflect on your productivity and adjust your strategies as needed. Take time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not, and be open to trying new approaches. Remember that productivity is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and what works for one person may not work for another.
As a business owner, here are ways to evaluate your productivity,
- start by measuring your progress towards your goals.
- Are you making progress, or are you falling behind? Then, evaluate your work processes and
- identify any areas where you could improve.
- be open to feedback from others and use that feedback to adjust your strategies as needed.
Running a successful online business requires focus, organization, and motivation. By implementing these 10 productivity hacks, you can take control of your workload and achieve success. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to running a successful online business.
FAQs
- How do I know which productivity tools to use?
There are countless productivity tools available, so it can be challenging to know which ones to choose. Start by identifying your biggest productivity challenges, such as time management or organization. Then, research tools that address those challenges and experiment with a few to find the ones that work best for you.
- How do I delegate tasks effectively?
Delegating tasks can be a challenge, but there are a few strategies that can help. First, make sure you’re delegating tasks to the right people. Choose team members who have the necessary skills and experience. Then, clearly communicate your expectations and provide the necessary resources and support to ensure success.
- Can I be productive without sacrificing my personal life?
Absolutely.Takingg care of yourself and making time for personal activities can actually increase productivity. Make sure you’re setting realistic goals and prioritizing your tasks, so you have time for both work and personal activities.
- How do I stay motivated when I’m feeling overwhelmed?
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed at times, but there are a few strategies that can help. First, break tasks down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Then, focus on one task at a time and celebrate small wins along the way. Also, make sure you’re taking breaks and practising self-care to avoid burnout.
- How do I balance my workload as a solo entrepreneur?
Balancing your workload as a solo entrepreneur can be challenging, but there are a few strategies that can help. First, set realistic goals and prioritize your tasks. Then, consider outsourcing certain tasks or hiring a virtual assistant to help with administrative tasks. Finally, make sure you’re taking breaks and practising self-care to avoid burnout.
