The budget has been read and we know the news isn’t too great. However, regardless of what stage we are in our business or even if we are thinking about starting a business, there is still massive opportunity available for us.

Whilst we know the government is going to be pushing e-money services and its new marketplace “Parlour Caribbean,” there are still many things that we can do to start building the businesses that won’t require us to wait for government intervention.

Our biggest challenge to date is that there is a lack of information in the public domain to help move businesses in the right direction using many of the tools or services we already have access to.

This period is also going to have you come to grips with the fact that times have truly changed. But with new knowledge, this can also be the best time for your business.

Here are five things that a small business can do post-budget to start creating new income streams and awareness for their business.

1 – Sign up for e-commerce solutions to expand payment options

2 – Register for Google Business to begin showing up on Google Search and Maps

3 – Join a courier company

4 – Join a credible marketplace to increase sales opportunity

5 – Invest in building an e-commerce-ready website

6 – Visit Grow With Google

E-commerce solutions

Every bank offers e-commerce solutions that will allow you to send invoices to your customers or clients to accept payments online. You can also sign up for WiPay to be able to bill clients, and set up QR code payments for your stores, booths or when you set up at a market.

I’d even recommend signing up for services like Endcash with Republic Bank so that you can increase the various ways that you can accept payments.

Our journey to a “cashless society” starts with more businesses adding new channels for consumers to pay them for their products or services and businesses losing customers when they only accept cash.

Register for Google Business

Google Business is

free! It is the gateway to getting your business showing up on Google Search and Google Maps. People need to be able to find you to do business with you.

Google Business will allow you to list your products, allow for bookings, add photos/videos of your business and create content.

This is great, because whether your clients are in another part of the country or out of the country, they can find your business. This will open your business to extend nationwide and internationally.

Think about travellers, whose first stop is Google to learn about the businesses in the country.

Join a courier company

If clients can now find your business both locally and internationally, you are going to need a method to get your products to them.

Start checking out companies like Sped TT, oDeliever, CSF Couriers, DHL and other couriers. They will allow for cash on delivery, nationwide and in the case of DHL, international shipping.

Clients would much rather pay the $40-$60 delivery fee if it means they do not have to drive across the country to p