1. Research: Identify the type of mystery shopper services you’d like to offer and research the market; look into what types of clients and services are in demand.
2. Financing: Create a budget that includes all of the costs associated with starting your business; consider costs for equipment, permits and licenses, insurance, materials, marketing and advertising.
3. Legal: Consult with a lawyer to discuss any legal requirements in your area; determine which permits and licenses you need to legally operate your mystery shopper business.
4. Register Your Business: Establish your business structure and register with the appropriate agencies; select a name for your mystery shopper business and make sure it is available.
5. Create an Online Presence: Purchase a domain name and create a website or blog to promote your services; also set up social media accounts to share updates about your new business.
6. Market Your Services: Create a marketing and advertising plan to let potential clients know who you are and what services you offer; consider using print, television, radio or digital media.
7. Hire Employees: If needed, start the process of hiring employees who can help manage the operations of your mystery shopper business; consider their experience and qualifications.
8. Develop Training Programs: Create training programs for Mystery Shoppers to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the tasks correctly; include customer service, communication and observation skills in the training.
9. Establish a Network: Reach out to potential contacts who can help you get your business off the ground; consider reaching out to other mystery shoppers, retail stores and other businesses.
10. Implement Quality Control Measures: Establish a system of quality control measures to ensure that Mystery Shoppers are performing their tasks accurately and efficiently; also use these measures to evaluate how well your business is doing.
11. Monitor Shoppers: Develop a system to monitor the performance of your Mystery Shoppers; include feedback from customers and Mystery Shoppers on their experiences.
12. Manage Your Business: Establish processes and procedures that will help you manage your business efficiently and effectively; make sure you are keeping up with customer demands, monitoring expenses and staying on top of legal requirements.
13. Evaluate Progress: Regularly evaluate the progress of your mystery shopper business; consider any changes that you need to make in order to improve operations and customer satisfaction.