1. Choose a business idea

Starting a business begins with a spark of an idea. Consider the type of business and lifestyle you envision. Perhaps you’re interested in selling products as a side project, or maybe you aim to launch a revolutionary invention. It could even be the perfect time to introduce merchandise for your personal brand.

To refine your idea, write it down and evaluate your enthusiasm. A free business plan template can help with this process.

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If you’re unsure where to start, explore extensive lists of low-investment business ideas, online business opportunities, and popular ventures for inspiration. Once you’ve chosen your direction, decide whether you’ll make, manufacture, or resell your offerings.

Creating your own product

You may choose to create a product by hand or develop one through partnerships with private label companies, print-on-demand services, or manufacturers.

Private label ideas

Got a great idea but no clue about manufacturing? No problem. With private label or white label options, you can partner up with skilled manufacturers who tailor generic products to fit your brand and specs. Whether you’re thinking about launching your own line of fitness gear or a line of skin care products, these models offer plenty of possibilities to bring your vision to life.

Dropshipping ideas

Dropshipping lets you sell products through your online store without managing inventory or shipping. When a customer places an order, it’s fulfilled by the supplier directly. Begin dropshipping by selecting a product and finding a reliable dropshipping partner.

Print-on-demand opportunities

Print-on-demand allows you to customize products like t-shirts, jewelry, or mugs with your designs and have them shipped directly to customers. This model requires minimal upfront investment. Start by researching various print-on-demand providers to find the perfect match for your business vision.

Selling an existing product

For a quick start, consider selling products that already exist. You might choose to dropship or selectively resell items from other brands.

Curation and resale options

Another option is to start a business of curating or reselling products. Some businesses curate collections from various designers, handling inventory and shipping themselves. This model is popular in niches like antiques and vintage fashion. Explore wholesale marketplaces to connect with brands for resale opportunities.

Starting a side business

Interested in a low-risk introduction to entrepreneurship? Consider a side hustle alongside your full-time job to generate extra income without quitting your day job. Check out our lists of passive income ideas and home-based business opportunities.

Additional reads:

• 36 Online Business Ideas You Can Start in 2024
• 16 Unique Business Ideas for First-Time Entrepreneurs
• 10 Profitable Home Business Ideas You Can Start Today

2. Research your product and audience

After finalizing your brilliant idea, it’s essential to validate its market appeal. Your product or business idea might excite you, but it’s only worth pursuing if there’s a demand for it.

Begin your research by identifying gaps in the market, pinpointing underserved demographics, organizing focus groups, or analyzing your competition.

Understanding your target audience

Identifying your target audience is key, as these are the potential customers who will most likely engage with your products. Understanding this group is crucial because they will be the main focus of your marketing and sales efforts. Knowing your audience helps you:

• Make informed and cost-effective marketing decisions
• Tailor product development through direct customer feedback
• Increase revenue by focusing your efforts on the most promising customers

Creating detailed buyer personas is an effective way to understand the specific needs of your customers. Think about their age, interests, favored social media platforms, and what values they hold dear.

Conducting market research

Market research involves gathering data about your potential customers. This step is vital to ensure your business idea aligns with market needs or to decide if adjustments are necessary. You can conduct market research using surveys, focus groups, and interviews.

Market analysis goes deeper, combining direct insights from your target audience with third-party data from reports and industry publications.

Understanding market trends

Fully understanding market trends requires looking at various elements such as:

• Search volume for your product or service using tools like Google Trends
• Long-term consumer trends, for example, sustainability
• Social and political factors that could impact the market
• Emerging shopping preferences within your demographic
• Trend forecasting to anticipate the direction of your industry

Using market research tools

Utilize tools like Statista for comprehensive data, Typeform for dynamic surveys, or Hootsuite for social listening. Combining reliable data sources with your research through surveys or focus groups will provide a comprehensive view of the market before you launch.

Estimating market size

To estimate the market size, follow these steps:

1. Define your total addressable market (TAM)—the ultimate potential customer base.
2. Identify a specific segment you aim to capture, known as your serviceable addressable market (SAM).
3. Estimate your market penetration rate using industry benchmarks.
4. Calculate your potential market size by multiplying your SAM by the penetration rate.

Analyzing the competition

Understanding your competitors helps you differentiate your brand and define your unique selling proposition (USP)—the main advantage your product offers. Check out our article on how to do a competitive analysis to get an idea of who you’ll be up against, and then tailor your strategies to distinguish your small business from theirs.

3. Write a business plan

A solid business plan helps you get clear on how to manage key aspects of the business. It includes everything from your executive summary to your financials. Here’s what to include in a comprehensive business plan:

• Executive summary: Though it appears first, the executive summary should be written last. It outlines your business concept and your key objectives and how you plan to achieve them.
• Company description: Discuss the unique solutions your product or service offers and why your venture stands out. For instance, suppose you have a background in biochemistry that you’ve leveraged to innovate a new skin care line. Here, your expertise underpins the credibility of your product.
• Market analysis: Evaluate your market positioning and competitive landscape. Detail your target audience, market size, expected growth, industry trends, and how you stack up against the competition.
• Organization and management: Describe your business structure, from risk management approaches to the makeup of your management team. Highlight their skills and how these align with the business’s needs.
• Mission and goals: Include a sharp mission statement and outline specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
• Products or services: Explain your initial product offerings and how they compare to the competition, material sourcing, pricing strategies, and manufacturing processes.
• Marketing strategy: This section should articulate the unique selling points of your products or services, summarize a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, Ttreats) analysis and a detailed competitive analysis, and outline your marketing campaigns, timelines, and budgets.
• Industry background: This comprehensive section should consolidate relevant data, research, and trends that might impact your business positively or negatively.
• Financial projections: Central to your business plan, this section includes a detailed budget, income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements projected over five years. If seeking external funding, specify your funding requirements here.

By thoroughly addressing each of these areas, your business plan will serve as a robust framework supporting your business’s initial and ongoing needs.

Additional reads:

• How to Write a Lean Business Plan: A Detailed Guide
• Free Business Plan Template & Examples for Startups
• The 7 Best Business Plan Examples to Inspire Your Own

4. Make or source products

Once you’ve sharpened your product idea and locked in your business strategy, it’s time to bring your concept to life. Based on the path you choose, you’ll need to take different steps to make or source your product.

Making or manufacturing your product

If you’re crafting your product by hand, set up a space that fits your creative needs—whether that’s a home office or a shared workspace. Make sure to comply with any local regulations, especially if your products involve health and safety considerations like food or cosmetics.

If your product requires production in a third-party facility, you’ll need a reliable manufacturing partner. Choose a manufacturer who is well-versed in your industry and understands the packaging and labeling regulations specific to your product. A great manufacturer will work closely with you, offering expert advice throughout the product development process to ensure your final product meets your standards and market expectations.

Finding a supplier

For those opting to sell pre-existing products, your next step is to identify and partner with trustworthy suppliers. This involves researching and vetting potential suppliers to ensure they can consistently meet your standards for quality and reliability. Whether you’re planning to stock inventory or use a dropshipping model, aligning with the right suppliers is essential for maintaining product quality and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Additional reads:

• 13 Things to Make and Sell Online: Go DIY Today
• How Do I Find Reliable Manufacturers Near Me or Abroad?
• 15 Top Print-on-Demand Companies and Sites

5. Develop a brand 

No business thrives without a brand. A brand is what distinguishes you in a crowded market. When developing your brand, consider the following essentials:

• The basics: Define who you are and what you sell.
• Mission and vision: Articulate your mission statement, brand values, and the promises you commit to your customers.
• Unique selling proposition: Highlight why you’re the better choice over the others.
• Brand story: Share your journey or personal story that aligns with your brand.
• Brand voice: Establish a consistent tone and language for all communications.
• Visual identity: Develop a logo, style guide, and brand name that visually communicate your brand’s core values and appeal to your target audience.

Creating your visual identity

Your visual identity includes your logo, color palette, and the general design style of your brand. These should capture the essence of what your brand stands for and be appealing to your target audience. Good design helps make your brand memorable.

Bringing your brand to life

Apply your brand consistently across all points of customer contact. From your website design to how your product is packaged, every detail should tell your brand’s story. This keeps the customer experience smooth and engaging from start to finish.

The role of visuals and packaging

Great photography is essential for any brand. Start with high-quality, clear product shots that highlight the details of your items. Include both detailed product shots and lifestyle images to give customers a true sense of your offerings.

When it comes to packaging, remember that it’s going to be the customer’s first real interaction with your brand. So take steps to make it memorable. You could use unique materials, add personalized notes, or design packaging that reflects your brand’s personality and values.

Additional reads:

• Online Store Names: Ideas, Generators, Tips, And Examples 
• How to Develop Your Brand Voice: Guide + Examples
• A Guide to Brand Storytelling [Free Worksheet]

6. Build a website

At this point, you’re ready to introduce your business to the world. The best way to do that? Create your own website. There are several ecommerce website builders available, so take the time to check out a few options and compare their features to make your choice.

Shopify is often the go-to for many business owners because it combines everything from product management to secure checkout into one platform. With Shopify, you can use drag-and-drop tools and templates to craft a professional-looking site without needing to code.

You’ll also find more than 100 themes in the Shopify Theme Store, catering to every style and industry. If your budget is tight, there are plenty of free themes available as well.

Plus, Shopify has a dedicated app store where you’ll find tools that add to your site’s functionality. From improving your checkout experience to automating product returns, there’s no shortage of apps available for the customization you might require.

Additional reads:

• 9 Best Website Builders for Small Business
• 8 Popular Types of Websites You Can Create
• 43 Amazing Ecommerce Website Design Examples

7. Register your business 

In most countries, you will need to officially register your business. This involves choosing a business structure that defines the nature of your business. Some popular business structures include.

• LLC: Short for limited liability company, an LLC is a versatile business structure that provides personal liability protection to its owners.
• Sole proprietorship: This is a business owned and operated by a single individual. The owner is fully responsible for all financial obligations and debts of the business.
• S corporation: An S corporation passes profits and certain losses directly to the owners’ personal income, avoiding corporate tax rates. It also shields owners from personal liability.
• C corporation: A C corporation is a legal entity separate from its owners, offering them liability protection. However, it faces double taxation on profits.

When deciding whether to work alone or with partners, it’s essential to clearly establish the ownership structure.

Do I need a business license?

In the US, business license requirements can vary by state. You might not need one depending on what you do. But if you do need a business license, make sure you have this handy:

• Your and your business’s names and contact info
• Your employer identification number (EIN)
• Any necessary permits and forms
• The fees for filing

You might also need to register with the IRS, especially if you’re going to be collecting sales tax.

What about business insurance?

It’s a good idea to get business insurance to protect against unforeseen issues. Think about the unexpected, like natural disasters, staff health issues, product issues, or legal troubles. There are many types of business insurance to consider:

• Commercial property insurance
• Workers’ compensation
• Professional liability insurance
• Product liability insurance
• Business interruption insurance

Explore the features of each to see if they suit your business needs. You can also explore the benefits of getting a business owner’s policy (BOP), which bundles many of the above types of coverage together.

8. Manage your money

Success in business often comes down to launching the right product in the right market at the perfect time. But keeping that success going involves solid behind-the-scenes management, especially of your finances. When you keep a tight grip on your budget, you make sure you’re not overspending and that you’ve got a cushion for less predictable times.

Opening a business bank account

One of the first steps you should take is setting up a separate business bank account. This separation helps you manage personal and business finances independently and establishes a solid banking relationship that can support your long-term goals.

Look into different banking products (such as a business credit card) to find what works best for your needs. Choose a bank by considering the following:

• Is the bank supportive of small businesses?
• How well is the bank regarded in the industry?
• Does it offer financial solutions and advice tailored to your specific field?
• What kind of fees does the bank charge?
• Is getting a loan from the bank a hassle-free process?

Choosing small business accounting software

Many small business owners start with just a simple spreadsheet to manage their finances, and this works well if you’re just starting out. However, if you need more features or have a more complex business, consider the various small business accounting software available. A professional accountant can guide you through the complexities of business accounting, including how to identify the right accounting software.

Additional reads:

• How To Choose the Right Business Bank Account
• Why Bookkeeping is Essential for Your Online Business
• Financial Statement: What Is It and Why It Matters For Your Business

9. Market your business

Marketing is often seen as one of the toughest parts of running your own business. It’s where much of your time and budget will go, especially when you’re working to drive traffic to your new website and convert visitors into buyers.

Investing in organic marketing

Organic marketing involves strategies that don’t cost money but rely on reaching customers naturally. Even though organic reach is challenging with ever-changing algorithms, there are effective ways to engage potential customers without breaking the bank. Consider these tactics:

• Take pre-orders to build interest before launch
• Host giveaways to encourage social sharing
• Arrange events to draw attention to a physical location
• Offer discount codes and coupons
• Engage in content marketing, such as blogs or videos
• Actively participating in social communities.

Exploring marketing channels

Choose marketing channels where you feel confident and where your audience already spends their time. Experiment to discover which channels yield the best ROI. Popular channels to consider include:

• Google. Leverage SEO and Google Ads to ensure potential customers find you when they search related terms. SEO helps improve your site’s organic rankings, while Google Ads places you directly in front of potential customers.
  Email. Email remains a powerful tool for nurturing leads into customers and encouraging repeat business. The key to success is growing your email list and maintaining engaging communication. Use tactics like abandoned cart emails, welcome series, and regular newsletters to increase subscriptions.
• Instagram. This visual platform can be incredibly effective for brands with aesthetically appealing products. Use Instagram Ads, grow organically with captivating content, or drive sales directly through Instagram Shopping.
• Facebook. With billions of users, Facebook offers a vast audience. Use a mix of organic interactions and paid ads to reach and engage potential customers.
• TikTok. On TikTok, success comes from catching trends and creating engaging content that resonates with viewers without a hard sell. Participate actively within the community for the best results.

Additional reads:

• Social Media Marketing: A Step-By-Step Guide
• Influencer Marketing: A Comprehensive Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Experiential Marketing

10. Grow your business

Once your business is up and running, consider taking steps to make it grow. New business owners can take several measures, from seeking additional funding to selling in overseas markets. Here are the steps to consider:

Monitor and adjust your approach

First, keep an eye on how your business is doing against the goals you’ve set. This might mean checking your sales targets, customer feedback, or other key performance indicators. Adjust your strategy based on what these numbers tell you. Getting regular feedback from your customers is also vital. It helps you understand what’s working and what might need a change.

Securing additional funding

If expansion is in your plans, you might need extra funds. Make sure your business plan is up to date and clearly shows your growth ambitions. Have your financial documents at the ready, as this will make applying for loans or attracting investors much smoother.

Grow your team

As your business expands, you’ll likely need more hands on deck. Start by automating simple tasks. When you need more help, think about hiring new staff or outsourcing certain roles. This allows you to focus on the core areas of your business.

Launch a business, shape your future

You did it! You’ve started your business and are on your way to the next goal. Along this journey, you’ve gained knowledge and learned from mistakes to help your business succeed. The best part? You’re living a life built around your passion. Enjoy the journey and remember to take care of yourself along the way.

How to start a business FAQ

Can you start a business with no money?

No, but you can start a business with little money. Consider low-cost options like dropshipping or print-on-demand, which allow you to begin with minimal upfront investment. You can use your existing skills and leverage free online tools to get off the ground. As your business develops, you can reinvest earnings back into it (also known as bootstrapping). With the right approach, these strategies can lay the foundation for a successful business.

What’s the best way to start a business?

The best way to start a business is to jump right in. You don’t need a lot of money or experience to get going. What really matters is finding the right product for the right customer at the right time. Successful small business owners understand their market and build a brand that really connects with their audience.

First, figure out what success looks like for you. Then, you can create a business plan that targets those goals. Start simple with a basic version of your idea, and be ready to make changes as you grow. It’s important to listen to your customers and watch market trends closely. This way, you can adjust your business according to what your customers need and want.

How do I become a small business owner?

Becoming a small business owner requires a few things, including:

• A business idea
•  A target audience for your product or idea
• Initial capital (a loan, personal savings, or other funding)
• Sales channel to connect and sell to your market (such as an online store)
• Drive and commitment to develop a business from the beginning