If you're building a startup for the first time, you're very likely overwhelmed, exhausted, and full of doubts. That's normal. However, if you're in a state of perpetual exhaustion or confusion about your efforts and mission, you're not likely to get anywhere fast. That's where advice and learning from others' experiences becomes important.

We asked ourselves, "What do we wish we had known about building a company without learning it the hard way?" The result is this: 5 tips for first time startup founders that will help you get off to a good start and plan your steps a little more surely.
<h3>5 Tips for First Time Startup Founders</h3>
<ol>
 	<li>Make SURE someone wants it before you build it</li>
 	<li>Build a strong community online</li>
 	<li>Hire someone to build your website</li>
 	<li>Start gathering email addresses ASAP</li>
 	<li>Create a solid content foundation</li>
</ol>
<h5>1. Make SURE someone wants it before you build it</h5>
There's no shorter path to failure than when no one wants your product or service. You can have the best sales people in the world, the lowest prices, and the most amazing location, but none of that will matter if no one is interested in what you're selling.

Make sure there's a viable audience for your product by doing questionnaires, consulting existing research, and mapping out forecasts.
<h5>2. Build a strong community online</h5>
Whether your company exists entirely online or from a brick-and-mortar location, you should begin concentrating on building a strong online community around your brand. With ample support online, more people will become familiar with your startup and any events you host.

It's a great way to advertise, communicate, and start discussions. Treat everyone as friends, not customers, to build a strong online community.
<h5>3. Hire someone to build your website</h5>
Unless you have adequate experience in web development and design, leave the job to an expert. If you have a specific vision for the way you want the site to turn out or functionalities you want on the site, share your ideas with the developer and have them shape it into your vision.

Don't rely on your own skills or learning enough about design to get you by. Users can spot bad or unprofessional design quickly, and it diminishes trust in your brand.
<h5>4. Start gathering email addresses ASAP</h5>
Support means everything when you're building a startup. You can make the most of the support you get by gathering email addresses early on. Ask influencers and potential investors to join your mailing list so they can keep track of your startup's progress.

Create an email newsletter signup page for your website and buttons that ask users to sign up visible on every page.
<h5>5. Create a solid content foundation</h5>
When you're still in the early stages of business and there isn't much on your website, you can still rely on content to fill up the space and offer users something to keep them around for a while and familiarize themselves with your brand.

Create a solid content foundation by covering the basics of your company, your industry, and why your company exists. Connect your brand to current news topics in your industry and begin building a foundation of good, interesting content that will make your startup website a more interesting place to be.