6 Mistakes Every Entrepreneur Should Avoid

There is some truth to the old adage, "a mistake is just an opportunity for growth and learning." A minor error can usually be seen as a lesson on what not to do, so don't be afraid to mess up now and then—especially if you're a business owner or thinking about starting your own business. Once you know what not to do, you’re one step closer to knowing what to do and how to do it!

That said, there’s no reason you have to make those mistakes yourself to learn from them. Learning from the mistakes of other entrepreneurs who’ve broken ground before you is a great way to ensure success, whatever your endeavor is. Below are six common mistakes every entrepreneur should avoid.

1. Forgetting the Competition

Everyone has a competitor. Everyone. Even if you think you’ve found the perfect niche and there’s no one around to challenge you, you’re probably wrong. There are most definitely competitors in your field that can start to take your traffic and clientele if you aren’t careful. At all times, remember that you're not alone. Analyze the market and figure out who you’re up against, then plan and act accordingly.

2. Not Spending Enough Cash (or Spending Too Much)

As a new entrepreneur, money is likely going to be a tremendous concern. Most entrepreneurs barely have any money to spend, and those that do can often get into the “you have to spend money to make money” mindset, which is equally destructive if left unchecked. Instead, fall somewhere in the middle. Take into account your expenses and finances and learn to spend enough, but not too much.

3. Making Hiring Decisions Based on Cost

When funds are tight, it’s tempting to hire on the cheap. The problem with that is that in the end, you’ll end up paying the price. Cheap employees and consultants are cheap for a reason. They may be unskilled, inexperienced, or unreliable. Don’t pay more than your employees are worth, but know you'll have to shell out a little extra for someone who knows what they’re doing (and be sure to do your due diligence to make sure you're paying competitive rates). Employees are the backbone of any endeavor. Hire accordingly.

4. Thinking It’s All On You

In the beginning, it’s common to think that no one can do the job as well as you can. You started out with the idea, you know your product, you know your market, and you have the passion to take this thing all the way home. That said, this is a recipe for burnout. Overextending yourself in the beginning isn't sustainable in the long-run.

Also, just because you found a great niche and have a good idea doesn’t mean there aren’t other skillsets or spheres of knowledge you’re lacking in. Take on a knowledgeable, experienced consultant or mentor if possible. They won’t know everything and you won’t know everything, but together you can achieve great things.

5. Putting Your Product First

Okay, so this might not sound like a mistake, but it really is if your product or service comes at the expense of your client or customer. They are what makes you money, not the product. You can have the most ingenious product or service in the world but if no one is buying it, what’s the point? When creating your product and determining your business model, it’s critical that you have a customer-first mentality. Don’t get so worried about making money that you forget the key to having a sustainable business.

What’s the key to having a sustainable business, you ask? Well, it’s having satisfied, loyal clients or customers who will buy over the long term. You have to keep these buyers around, and you have to keep them satisfied. If you want to know more about how I managed to grow my business, you can visit my blog. 

6. Making Your Margins Too Small

A healthy profit margin is critical to your success. Setting it too low now will make life infinitely more difficult for you in the future. This is because you’ll eventually have to raise your prices, and then your customers are going to be pissed. It’s better to set a realistic profit margin right off the bat. Just scope out your production and operating costs, determine how much flexibility you have, and then set a reasonable price to have a solid margin. Don’t be afraid of running too high at the start of things.

It’s not easy being an entrepreneur. Mistakes are going to happen—it’s part of the process. That said, you don’t have to repeat everyone else’s mistakes! Learn from these blunders and chart your path to success.

Eric Porat is a successful online entrepreneur, investor, and digital marketer with over 15 years of experience in buying and selling websites.