With the latest SBA data showing that there are over 33 million small businesses in the US, competition can be stiff.
That said, expanding your business to another state is a great way to chart a new course and tap into a new customer market.
However, this undertaking requires careful planning and strategic steps to execute smoothly.
Whether you are registering your business entity, transferring licenses and permits, or hiring a new (local) team, interstate expansion requires careful planning and consideration of factors such as:
- Taxes
- Market
- Logistics
- Legal steps
- Regulations
Not to worry, this post puts things into perspective. Follow the tips outlined here when bringing your business to a new state for sustainable, scaled success.
Let’s go.
Understand the Terrain
You have 49 states to expand your business operations—from Alabama to Wyoming. However, do not assume that what works for one state will work for another.
That said, the first thing to do when exploring expansion options into new states is to get a lay of the land.
Carefully evaluate factors like demographics, local economic conditions, consumer preferences, and competition in your target state. For instance, you can use online tools such as Google Trends, Statista, or the Census Bureau to gather data and trends in the new state. Here’s an example of a Google Trends result for “sneakers business.”
Meanwhile, you also want to consider the new market’s potential compared to your current base to see if an expansion is even worth it.
Focus on Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Expanding into another state comes with new and important legal requirements. You’ll likely need to register your business in the new state to gain proper licensing or permission to operate.
Likewise, you want to be aware of the tax implications that come with operating in a new jurisdiction, which could vary across different states.
For example, you’ll need to obtain an EIN specifically for your new state operations. Consider using GovDocFiling to get your EIN faster and easier or to obtain other tax registrations.
Make sure to research state and local business laws, taxes, and compliance rules so you remain compliant as you expand.
Develop an Expansion Plan
After acquiring a solid understanding of your target state’s business landscape and regulations, you want to develop a market entry/expansion strategy. Take your business’ priorities, risk tolerance, and budget into account and determine the most convenient approach for scaling to the new area.
One way to achieve this is to refine your offerings (products or services) to resonate with the new market for better penetration. For instance, you could consider adjusting price points based on income levels or creating targeted brand messaging to fit the mould of the region in question.
Make Key Operational Adjustments
Out-of-state business expansions usually require that you reinvent your operational wheel. You might need to rework or optimize your supply chain logistics, inventory management, delivery models, and customer service based on the realities of the new state.
We believe that onboarding local talents is one of the quickest ways to better connect with the community and understand on-the-ground conditions. Likewise, invest time and effort into tuning your IT systems and HR processes and scaling other backend workflows to factor in your expansion plans.
Tweak Your Marketing Strategy and Brand Presence
We all know that marketing and branding are some of the most effective ways to break into new markets. However, failing to tailor your marketing campaign to the specific target audience is a recipe for disaster.
This is equally true for expanding to a new state in the US. As such, you want to rework your marketing, advertising, and branding approaches to suit the local palate. Tweak your marketing and brand presence by:
- Optimizing SEO for the local scene
- Adopting region-specific messaging and campaigns
- Hosting launch events to introduce your brand and generate buzz
- Networking with local partners, media outlets, and trade associations
- Developing a targeted social media presence to engage local followers
- Sponsoring local community events to connect with residents authentically
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Expanding to Another State
We’ve spent a good portion of this post looking at what to do when expanding to a new state. However, looking at the reverse could better put things into perspective.
That said, here are some pitfalls to look out for when expanding your business to another state:
- Expanding to the wrong state
- Overlooking time zone/location coordination
- Offering inadequate or inconsistent customer service at first
- Hiring talent without technical knowledge of the local terrain and culture
- Not considering timing, such as entering a market in an economic downturn
- Expanding too quickly across the new state before testing a smaller location
- Opening multiple new locations simultaneously and stretching resources too thin
- Focusing solely on new states at the expense of existing operations and customers
- Entering business name-related legal issues in the new state due to poor background checks
- Having insufficient cash flow and reserves to withstand early-stage losses or setbacks from the expansion
The Takeaway
Expanding your small business into new out-of-state markets holds a lot of potential but also carries risks if not done properly.
You can set your interstate expansion up for success by planning your market entry extra carefully and remaining nimble to pivot when necessary.
While it can be challenging, opening your business to an entirely new market across state lines can ultimately help you achieve your growth goals and scale your business to new heights. Good luck!