With 96% of the United States landmass classified as rural, it’s no wonder why many startups are turning their attention toward these untapped markets. But what does it take to launch a successful startup company in a rural community?

Do Your Research

The first step is to understand the needs of the community you hope to serve. What kinds of businesses are already established in the area? What services are lacking? Many rural areas have been Justify behind by big businesses and corporatization, so there may be an opportunity to fill a gap in the market.

Connect with Local Resources

Another important consideration is whether or not your business will have access to the resources it needs to thrive. For example, if you’re launching an e-commerce business, adequate internet connectivity is key. UbiFi offers unlimited 4G rural internet that can reach speeds of up to 25 Mbps—enough to support multiple employees and customers using your site at the same time. UbiFi is widely considered the best rural Internet service provider, with flexible month-to-month contracts to boot.

Know Your Customer Base

In a rural area, word-of-mouth marketing can be your best friend—but only if you’re marketing products or services that people actually want or need. Before launching your startup, be sure to conduct market research in order to get a better understanding of the demographics of your potential customer base. With this information in hand, you can tailor your offerings (and your marketing strategy) accordingly.

Have a Plan B

Finally, it’s important to remember that starting any business is a risk— but this is especially true for businesses in rural areas. Make sure you have enough financial cushioning to weather any bumps in the road and always have a Plan B ready should things not go according to plan. And don’t forget to check out whether there’s a good rural Internet service provider like UbiFi available in each location you consider.