Waiting for the right time to start an online business from home? Now would be the perfect time, with everyone at home, logged onto their social media accounts every single day. With the power of the Internet comes great opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.

To create a successful and profitable online business, here are the most important steps.

1.Choose a profitable product or service

All kinds of businesses start from one thing: an idea, hobby, or passion that turned into an opportunity. The first step to creating a business is knowing what to offer by researching and identifying the pros and cons of the product or service. See to it that the product or service has an existing audience, thereby proving its potential in the marketplace. An important reminder: do not jump on trends, fads, and bandwagons that are deemed fleeting.

2.Build the core strengths of an online business

With an online business, the non-negotiables are a website, an email list, and a good social media following. A clean and simple website should make the business’ credibility available for all to see online. An email list, on the other hand, comes in handy for marketing needs. Lastly, a strong social media presence is essential to further widen the brand’s reach thereby converting followers into customers. Identify the top platforms used by the target audience and prioritize building a great following in those same platforms.

3.Keep the audience engaged

A strong social media presence is the result of a great following and engaging content. Keep in mind that an aesthetically-pleasing Instagram feed can have a lot of followers and likes, but the goal is to keep the followers coming, retain them, keep them entertained, and most importantly, entice and convert them to becoming customers. Focus on posting engaging content about the business that they will not only like, but also share and comment on.

4.Establish a wide network.

A vast network is crucial when it comes to starting a business. Start building a relationship with entrepreneurs, suppliers, and even couriers by joining groups, events, expos, and online caravans to know the in’s and out’s of the digital landscape. In these trying times, collaboration, not competition, is key to the survival of a business.

5.Get the right connection.

The right connection matters -- literally, in the case of online businesses. What good is an online business without a reliable and stable Internet connection? This is where PLDT Home Biz comes in. Get a strong Internet connection with affordable PLDT Home Biz Plan, plus access to a wider network through readily available ecommerce solutions that come with each subscription and virtual trade expos that PLDT Home Biz provides in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

With many people starting their businesses online, the need to stand out and get the attention and loyalty of an audience seems difficult, to say the least. But with the right tools and a solid foundation, any startup online business has the potential, not only to survive, but more so, thrive.

With PLDT Home Biz, anyone has the power to create a successful home-based online business. Find out more at www.pldthome.com/biz.

The pandemic has inevitably pushed micro, small, and medium enterprises to face unforeseen challenges that tested their resilience amid the changing business climate. But while some entrepreneurs have been forced to close shop, there are those who are constantly adapting, learning new ways to do business in the new normal, and recognizing the opportunities in the digital landscape.

In an effort to empower these home-based businesses, the country’s fastest fixed network – PLDT Home – introduces the PLDT Home Biz program which answers the call to drive entrepreneurs into digital transformation. PLDT Home Biz launches the video “Kaya Mo” which narrates the struggles, hope and new beginnings of entrepreneurs as they rediscover the possibilities of doing businesses safely and conveniently from home.

“We recognize the challenges that a lot of home-based entrepreneurs have experienced in the face of a pandemic and they need a trusted partner that will take them to the next level. This is what PLDT Home Biz is all about – to set up home-based businesses for growth and success in the new normal through connectivity and e-commerce digital solutions,” says Patrick Tang, Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Biz.

The PLDT Home Biz plans start with the KaAsenso Regular Plan 1888 with speeds of up to 20Mbps or the KaAsenso Regular Plan 2199 with speeds of up to 40Mbps. All plans come with free installation and activation.

Aside from providing high-speed connections, the PLDT Home Biz program also provides free access to a wide range of e-commerce tools that they can use to kickstart their online businesses and digital transactions.

Going beyond connectivity access, each PLDT Home Biz plan comes with KaAsenso Partner e-commerce solutions. PLDT Home has teamed up with e-commerce providers, to name a few, that can lend a hand to home-based businesses for end-to-end digital business solutions such as online store builder and hosting by UnionBank GlobalLinker, secure and hassle-free online payments by PayMaya, and delivery options by Grab Madiskarteng Boss Club.

PLDT Home Biz is also supported by the Department of Trade and Industry with the partnership giving MSMEs direct access to the latest news and updates on business events.

Watch the PLDT Home Biz video in this link. Learn more about PLDT Home Biz and how you can grow your business online by visiting www.pldthome.com/biz.