Are you thinking about starting your own business? You’re not alone. Whether you are considering it or have already decided to take the leap, this article will provide some necessary steps to take when starting a business.
Conduct Market Research
Market research is the first step in starting a new business. Generally, it is essential to conduct market research before you start any new venture because it will help you avoid costly mistakes and save time on the back end.
Even if your idea for a product or service has never been done, there are likely others who have already attempted to do so. So, understanding what they did right, wrong and where things fell short of expectations will allow you to target the needs of potential customers better while avoiding unnecessary costs associated with trial-and-error learning processes along the way.
With that said, the following are ways of conducting a market research
- Gathering information from your network
- Talking to potential customers and observing their behavior when making a buying decision
- Online research
These techniques will help you get an inside look at the business environment surrounding your idea, determine if there is a need for it, and identify any challenges that may exist in delivering what you have envisioned. If everything looks good, then writing a business plan should be relatively straightforward.
Write Your Business Plan
A business plan refers to the detailed description of your business idea, goals, and methods. The plan includes the products or services you intend to offer, how much money you’ll need to get started, expenses for doing so, profits expected from the business’s operations.
The following are steps you should take when coming up with your business plan:
First, describe your unique selling proposition – a feature or attribute that makes you stand out from the competition. Then, write about who will run and manage the business, how much it will cost them, and their experience in related fields. Be as specific as possible with the names of people involved in managing your company. Also include outside contractors such as web designers, accountants.
Second, give details on what products or services your customers are looking for and how they benefit from using those goods/services offered by your business.
Third, address any risks associated with entering this market segment due to factors like lack of demand, competitors making similar offers, uncertainty over future changes within an industry based on technology, politics, etc.
Finally, estimate your start-up costs. This should include the cost of goods and services you’ll need to offer as well as one-time expenses such as legal or accounting fees. You may also want to factor in a cushion for unexpected costs down the road.
Generally, the process of creating a business plan forces you to think through all aspects of starting and running your business. It’s an essential document whether seeking funding from investors or just trying to get a clear picture of what you’re getting yourself into.
Find Your Business Location
Your business location is an important decision. You should consider things like cost, convenience for your customers and suppliers, and the availability of employees to work there full-time or part-time. In addition, your location can have a significant impact on whether you can succeed financially with your business idea.
Location considerations include:
Size
Choose a size appropriate for the type of business you plan to establish. For example, suppose you want to start a retail shop where people walk off the street. In that case, it’s best not to choose an office space unless you have enough room for display racks and storage areas and can conduct transactions at counter locations within those spaces.
On the other hand, a small restaurant would make sense in larger retail areas but may not be the best fit for a suburban strip mall.
Zoning
Check with your city’s zoning department to ensure that the type of business you want to start is allowed in the area where you want to establish it. The last thing you want is to spend time and money setting up shop only to find out later that what you’re doing isn’t legal in that location.
Traffic/Accessibility
How easy is it for people to get to your business? If your business is on a busy street, that’s great, but if there’s no parking available or customers have trouble finding your storefront, it could be problematic. You’ll also need to consider how close your suppliers are and whether or not their supply trucks can get to your location quickly.
Neighborhood
A run-down area might look like a good deal for low rent, but if you’re planning on having customers come in and out of business, it could be problematic to attract them or employees who will feel safe walking around after hours. On the other hand, if you want an upscale clientele, then try not to choose somewhere where known drug dealers are hanging around outside all day long.
But, again, convenience is critical here, so consider how close things like banks, grocery stores, coffee shops, are located within proximity of your storefront before committing yourself to any place based solely on price alone.
You don’t have to buy your office space immediately, finding temporary office space is another option to consider.
There are a lot of factors to take into account when choosing your business location, but with a little bit of research, you can make an informed decision that’s right for your specific needs.
Choose Your Business Name
Your business name must be unique and protect you from possible lawsuits or challenges, so it is best to spend time carefully considering your options before making a final decision. It’s also crucial for the success of your business that customers can easily find you when they search on Google and be memorable with high SEO value if done right.
When it comes to choosing a business name, you should consider the following:
- The name should be easy to remember and spell
- It should be unique and not already in use by another business
- It should communicate what your business does
- It should have a high SEO value if you plan on doing any online marketing
Once you’ve chosen a few names, it’s essential to check U.S. trademark databases to ensure no one has already claimed the name. You can also do a Google search for businesses with similar names to yours to get an idea of how difficult it will be to rank higher than them on search engine results pages.
If you want help coming up with a business name or registering one, consider using a company like GoDaddy that offers a wide range of services for businesses.
Register Your Business
Registering your business is an essential step in starting a business. But, first, you will need to register your business with the state and possibly with the federal government. This process can be done online and typically takes just a few minutes.
There are several things you will need to register your business, including your business name, contact information, and type of business structure. Be sure to research what you need in your specific state.
Apply for Licenses and Permits
Many businesses require licenses and permits to comply with government regulations. Obtaining these documents can be a lengthy process, so apply early.
Applying for your Federal Tax ID number is one of the first steps you must take as a business owner to start generating revenue and making transactions.
Understand the Commitment and Challenges Involved in Starting a Business
Starting and running a business has a lot of benefits, but it also comes with a lot of commitments and challenges. So before you decide to start a business, make sure you understand the commitment and challenges involved so you can make an informed decision.
The most important thing to remember is that starting a business is not for everyone. It takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance to be successful. There are no guarantees in life, especially when running your own business. So if you’re not prepared for the challenge, then it’s best to walk away now and save yourself the time and money.
Conclusion
Starting a business is a big commitment, but it can be gratifying. There are many essential steps to take when starting a business, and by following this 15-minute guide, you will be on your way to owning your own successful business.