Which Service to Choose First? Tips for a Quick Launch and Maximum ROI

Getting a business off the ground or expanding an existing one involves juggling multiple tasks at once—developing an online platform, streamlining operations, and attracting new customers. But what should you tackle first: ordering website development, implementing a CRM system, or focusing on advertising? The real answer depends on your situation, your industry, and your goals. Below are some practical tips to help you decide where to start to ensure maximum ROI.

1. Assess Your Business Status and Goals

If You Have a New, Low-Budget Business

Quick Online Presence: A simple website or landing page plus basic SEO optimization can help you launch faster.
Social Media: Set up Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok pages in parallel to test demand.

If Your Internal Processes Are Chaotic

CRM System: If a scattered customer database is hindering sales, it’s best to start by implementing a CRM.
ERP or Analytics: Useful if you already have multiple complex processes (inventory, production, logistics).

If You Can Invest in Marketing

Google and Facebook Ads: They can generate leads quickly, but you’ll need at least a minimal landing page or website to receive traffic.
SMM Strategy: Simultaneously build your brand and community.

2. When to Start With a Website

Need to Showcase Products or Services

If customers need to see a product catalog, detailed descriptions, or photos, ordering an online store might be your best move.
Without a site, running ads can be less effective because there’s nowhere for your audience to go.

Building Trust and Reputation

Having your own website often inspires more trust than social media pages alone.
You can add reviews, certificates, a portfolio, and a contact section (with location data) for an offline business.

Basic SEO

If you start SEO website promotion early, you’ll reap the benefits of organic traffic in the long run.
This typically takes at least 3–6 months, so the sooner you launch a site, the better.

3. When to Implement a CRM First

Problems Managing Customers and Sales

If your sales funnel is scattered across Excel sheets and managers frequently lose track of orders, CRM implementation will streamline the process.
A single customer database and the ability to track each sales stage are game-changers.

Planning for Rapid Growth

A CRM supports key business processes—from lead handling to repeat sales.
Without systematization, you might lose leads and overwhelm managers.

Need Analytics

A CRM provides clear reports on the sales funnel, average order value, and repeat business rate.
You’ll be able to make data-driven decisions about marketing and staffing.

4. When to Focus on Advertising

Quickly Attract Clients

If your product or service is ready and you have at least a landing page or site, advertising on Google or Facebook can swiftly bring traffic and your first orders.
Ideal for testing new markets or validating hypotheses.

You Have a Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Ad campaigns can rapidly spread your USP to a targeted audience.
Ensure your offer is compelling and that your site/CRM is set up to handle new leads.

Seasonal Products or Time-Sensitive Offers

If you sell something relevant only for a limited time (holiday decorations, summer footwear, etc.), targeting helps you reach the audience “here and now.”

5. A Step-by-Step Plan for a Quick Start

Audit Your Current Situation

How do you manage customers now? Which sales channels do you already have? Do you need to “patch holes” in your processes immediately?

Priority #1: The Weakest Link

If customers are “falling through the cracks” due to a lack of a CRM, start there.
If there’s nowhere to send ad traffic, set up at least a basic site.

Parallel Development

Sometimes, it’s worth doing multiple things at once (e.g., building a simple site and installing a minimal CRM).
Evaluate if you have enough resources (money, time, staff) to handle multiple projects in tandem.

Gradual Scaling

After launching one priority (site or CRM), move on to the next once the first tool proves successful.
Ads are most effective when your operations run smoothly and you can handle incoming leads quickly.

6. Budget and Efficiency Tips

Website: Could cost $1,000–$2,000 for a basic site or more for a complex online store.
CRM: Costs vary by system (Uspacy, KeyCRM, Nethant, etc.)—$200–$500 for implementation, plus monthly subscription fees.
Advertising: Google Ads or Facebook Ads start at $5–$10 per day for testing. However, allocating $300–$500 initially can help run more effective campaigns.

Conclusion:

An entrepreneur’s main task is to identify the biggest bottleneck or the highest priority at the moment. If you can’t handle orders efficiently, implement a CRM first. If you don’t have an online platform to showcase your product, develop a website. Once your processes are in order, you can invest in advertising to scale sales. Ultimately, you’ll need all three areas—site, CRM, and marketing—but smart prioritization will save time, money, and help you achieve profitability faster.