No matter where you are in the world, you’ll always have competition for your business. Without the profit potential that the internet offers, many companies would not exist. At the same time, the power of the internet to connect customers globally makes it a valuable place for businesses to grow. With this in mind, you may be wondering where you should be focusing your online marketing efforts, and which markets – if any – are most promising for your business.
Let’s examine the benefits and pitfalls of each location, and how you can use the findings to choose the right market for your business.
Vancouver, Canada
Situated at the top of British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. If you’re visiting or living in Vancouver, Canada, Pinterest and Instagram have just the right amount of gorgeous photos to keep you entertained online. In fact, the city is so photogenic that it even has its own style of photography: Vancouverese.
The lifestyle in Vancouver is very appealing to entrepreneurs and businesses. With its stunning natural scenery, outdoor activities, and world-class restaurants and bars, it’s no wonder that so many companies choose to base themselves there. If you’re looking to form a startup in North America, you’ll most likely find plenty of opportunities in Vancouver.
The biggest downside to Vancouver is that it’s located on the opposite side of the continent from the majority of the world’s population. Although a short flight from most major cities, Vancouver is far from being close to all of them. Traveling to and from Vancouver can be very expensive, and often lengthy, due to the time change. Additionally, getting work done on the west coast of North America can be difficult due to the chilly winter weather.
United States
Although often considered one single country, the United States is actually a collection of states, provinces, and territories. As the third-largest country in the world, it’s no wonder that so many businesses are based there. Once you factor in the opportunity for international expansion, it’s easy to see why so many entrepreneurs choose to call America their home. If you’re looking to form a startup in North America, the United States is the obvious choice, as you’ll find plenty of opportunity here.
There are a lot of benefits if you decide to base your startup in the United States. First off, you’ll have access to an extraordinary amount of capital. It’s rare that a country offers such opportunities to businesses, particularly at the early stage. The US Government is very supportive of entrepreneurs and startups, and provides numerous programs and incentives to encourage innovation and investment in new businesses.
Another great advantage to starting a business in the United States is that you’ll have access to an incredible talent pool. Due to the large number of colleges and universities, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find the right people to help you launch your business.
One important thing to keep in mind when thinking about a business located in the United States is that you’ll need to follow the rules and regulations set by the government. While this can be great for establishing legal grounds for your business, it can also be very burdensome. The burden of paperwork alone is enough to discourage most people from establishing a business in the United States.
Which Market Should You Choose?
Taking into consideration all of the facts and data discussed above, it’s clear that both locations have much to offer entrepreneurs and businesses. Deciding where to base your company becomes more complicated when you factor in other factors, such as your personal preferences and what’s available to you where you live. Let’s examine each factor, and how it affects your business decision-making process.
Personal Preference
Personal preference is important, particularly if you’re heading up a marketing team and need to choose a location based on the needs of the team. If you have family and friends in one location and workmates in another, it can be hard to balance personal preference with business concerns. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to be comfortable wherever you choose. There are a few things that you need to consider before making this decision:
- What is your personal preference?
- Are you more of a people person or a place person?
- What kind of atmosphere do you want to create?
- What is your level of commitment?
For instance, if you are more of a people person and love being around people, you may want to base yourself in Vancouver where you’ll have access to an extraordinary amount of opportunities. Alternatively, if you’re more of a place person and need a stable environment in which to thrive, you may want to base yourself in the United States.
Feasibility ˜ Cost Of Doing Business
The feasibility of doing business in a certain location is very important, particularly if you’re looking to form a new company or collaborate with an existing one. If you have limited resources, you most likely need to consider how feasible it is to establish your company in a certain location. The main factors to consider are:
- Taxes
- Legal
- Regulatory
- Contracts
- Trademarks
- Names
- Propriety
- Etc.
Each of these factors are important, so you should make sure that you’re aware of and consider the cost of each one before making a decision. If you’d like to read more, here’s a great primer on the legal aspects of setting up a business in Canada:
Legal Aspects of Doing Business In Canada
Once you’ve decided where you want to base your company, you need to consider the legal aspects of doing business there. Just like any other business, you’ll need to get licenses and register your company with the relevant authorities. This process can be quite taxing, so it’s important to do your research before committing. There are several reasons why you may want to set up shop in Canada:
- Limited liability company (LLC)
- Sole Proprietorship (SP)
- Partnership (Partnership)
- Subordination (Subord)
- Joint venture (JV)
- General Partnership (GP)
- Etc.
If you’d like to read more, here’s a great primer on the legal aspects of setting up a business in Canada:
Business Setup Guide: What You’ll Need To Know To Operate A Legal Business In Canada
As a business owner or manager, you’ll need to understand the legal requirements and paperwork that comes with operating a business in Canada. Wherever you are in the world, you’ll always have competition for your business. Without the profit potential that the internet offers, many companies would not exist. At the same time, the power of the internet to connect customers globally makes it a valuable place for businesses to grow. With this in mind, you may be wondering where you should be focusing your online marketing efforts, and which markets – if any – are most promising for your business.
Let’s examine the benefits and pitfalls of each location, and how you can use the findings to choose the right market for your business.