It’s April Fool’s Day, so here is a list of some foolish business mistakes to avoid.

1. Social Media is not a website. Don’t be foolish and skimp on this. Frequently businesses choose to use Facebook or other social media platforms as their business “site”.  Pros of this would be that it is free. Cons are that it is lacking significant information about your business. If you are a restaurant, how can I see your menu? If you are a home repair company, how can I see testimonials, samples of your work, licensing?
2. Taking too big a bite. You are approached by a potential client about a large project. You know it’s over your head, but figure you can call in some favors to help you out. This says disaster all over the place. Discuss the project with the client, and be honest about your capabilities and help them find the right person, and leave the door open to future opportunities.
3. Ignoring the rules. Making sure that you create a business entity and adhere to the local business guidelines. Do you need a license? Are you protected? Do you need insurance?
4. Who are you? What do you do? Do you have a clear understanding of your business that you can promote to others? Develop an elevator pitch that explains who you are and what you do in 60 seconds. If your business needs more explanation, you may be trying to do too much. Focus on what you do best.
5. Working around the clock.  If you have a brick and mortar business, you probably have a regular schedule. But if you work from home, you may not. Create one. Even if you have to “pretend” by using technology to schedule email responses, be professional. If you don’t respect your time, your clients won’t either.
6. Getting left back.  Keep up with technology and the tools that can help you in your business. Understanding what’s available and leveraging it can increase your productivity, and possibly help you grow your business.
7. Being secretive. Let people know what you’re doing, and what you know. Blog about relevant business topics to help your customers. You don’t need to give away trade secrets, but sharing some tips can help customers feel more comfortable about your abilities. And if you have spoken at conferences, received awards or certification, let people know.

So did you see yourself? Are you making some foolish mistakes? There’s still time to fix them. And throughout this month, we will be focusing each day on Google tools that you can use to help you in your business. Let us know what you’d like to learn.