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Business Planning

Our business planning hub has all of the essential tools, strategies and insights needed to build and maintain a successful small business — a complete resource for starting, managing and growing your business. Discover everything you need to know at business.com.

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Latest: Advice, Tips and Resources

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Article
5 Mistakes First-Time LLC Owners Make — and How to Avoid Them
By Chad Brooks | August 11, 2026
New LLC owners often skip the operating agreement, miss report deadlines or form in the wrong state. Here’s how to avoid five costly errors.
Man using a laptop
Article
What Is a Registered Agent and Why Does It Matter?
By Chad Brooks | August 11, 2026
Learn what a registered agent does, why states require one, and how your choice affects compliance risk and personal privacy.
hands typing on a keyboard
Article
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Keeping Your Home Address Off Public Record
By Chad Brooks | August 11, 2026
Forming an LLC can put your home address on permanent public record. Learn where the exposure happens and how to prevent it.
Article
6 Benefits of Forming an S Corporation
By Jamie Johnson | August 06, 2026
An S corporation helps you avoid double taxation and the self-employment tax. Learn the pros and cons of S corporations and other corporate structures.
Article
Cheapest Business Ideas to Start From Home (Under $1,000)
By Donna Fuscaldo | August 06, 2026
Looking for cheap business ideas? Discover 20 home-based businesses you can start for under $1,000, plus startup costs, profit potential and expert scaling advice.
accountants using computers and calculators
Article
Is Your Small Business Achieving Profitable Growth?
By Emil Abedian | August 05, 2026
Small businesses must understand if their growth is profitable. Learn about the profitability-growth relationship and achieving profitable growth.
Article
Turn Your Genealogy Hobby Into a Side Business
By Chad Brooks | August 05, 2026
Have you ever considered starting a genealogy business? This guide will walk you through the steps of starting a home-based genealogy business.
Article
Resources for veteran-owned businesses
By Jennifer Dublino | August 05, 2026
Military veterans seeking to transition to entrepreneurial ventures have a wealth of resources at their disposal. Learn how to access resources for vets.
Article
Industries That Take Full Advantage of the Subscription Business Model
By Kimberlee Leonard | August 05, 2026
See how specific industries have taken advantage of the subscription model. Learn subscription model benefits and tips for using it in your business.
marketing meeting
Article
Songs About Business: These Hit Tracks Have Hidden Lessons for Entrepreneurs
By Mike Berner | August 05, 2026
Entrepreneurs and business owners can learn some valuable lessons from the lyrics of hit songs by Beyoncé, Frank Sinatra and more.
Article
Take Your Restaurant to the Next Level: 13 Tips for Busy Owners
By Mark Fairlie | August 05, 2026
Opening your restaurant is only the first step. Embrace these strategies to keep your food establishment thriving.
Article
Choosing the Right Outsourcing Partner
By Shahid Mansuri | August 05, 2026
Outsourcing is often great for business but it can offer challenges. Learn how to find the right partner to help you grow your company.
marijuana leaves
Article
How to Open a Cannabis Dispensary Legally: Complete 2026 Guide
By Mark Fairlie | August 05, 2026
Cannabis is a big business. Here is a startup guide for how you can enter this industry legally.
Article
A Crash Course in the Business Legal Terms You Need to Know
By Mark Fairlie | August 05, 2026
From comparable worth to torts, here's the legal lingo all business owners should know.
Article
How to Determine How Much Office Space You Need
By Jennifer Dublino | August 04, 2026
When buying or leasing an office, planning the right amount of space is crucial for efficient operations. Learn how to determine your office space needs.
running payroll features image
Article
How to Run Payroll in Under 5 Minutes
By Adam Uzialko | July 23, 2026
Running payroll for your team doesn’t have to take very long thanks to modern payroll software platforms. Here’s how to run it in less than five minutes.
Article
9 Surefire Strategies to Help You Stand Out From the Competition
By Stella Morrison | July 22, 2026
Distinguishing yourself from your competition is essential in today’s competitive marketplace. Learn strategies that will help you create a successful niche.
Business owner working on a laptop
Article
Starting a Business From Home: The Ultimate Checklist
By Julie Thompson | July 16, 2026
Starting a business requires an organized approach to administrative, legal and practical tasks. Follow this checklist to start a business from home.
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Review
The Hartford Review
By Max Freedman | July 15, 2026
Every business needs insurance and The Hartford offers a wide range of products, many available online. Business.com reviews its policies and customer service.
Article
Why Every Business Owner Needs an Exit Strategy
By Mark Fairlie | July 14, 2026
You don’t go into business planning to get out — but you should. Find out why an exit strategy is important and why you need two strategies.
Article
Welcome to America: What Nonresidents Need to Consider When Forming a Company in the U.S.
By Danielle Fallon-O’Leary | July 13, 2026
Non-U.S. residents can form a business in the United States, but there are a few things they need to consider. Learn what with this guide.
Article
You Can Start a Business With as Little as $0: A Complete 2026 Guide
By Tom Drake | July 13, 2026
It is possible to go into business with limited startup capital. Here is how to become a successful entrepreneur, even without huge assets.
hands typing on a laptop
Article
Your Record Was Expunged, But It’s Still Online. Now What?
By Chad Brooks | July 10, 2026
Your record was legally expunged, but it's still showing up online. Here's why that happens and what you can do about it.
Article
Top Countries for Business Process Outsourcing (and How to Start)
By Derek Gallimore | July 08, 2026
Make sure you're outsourcing for the most efficiency and least costly by considering a partner in one of these countries.
Accounting
Article
What Is a Loss Payee on an Insurance Claim?
By Nicole Urbanowicz | July 07, 2026
The loss payee has the first-in-line legal rights to an insurance claim payout. Here's what you need to know.
Article
8 Tips to Manage Your Time as a Small Business Owner
By Jennifer Dublino | July 06, 2026
Small business owners are constantly pulled in different directions. Follow these time-management tips to maximize your effectiveness.
Article
What Is a Receipt Printer? Thermal vs Impact
By Sean Peek | July 02, 2026
Thermal and impact receipt printers do the same job but are suited to different locations.
Article
The Roadmap to Starting a Membership Site From Scratch
By Mark Thompson | June 26, 2026
A subscription site is easy to start and can offer big rewards. Follow these steps to build a loyal member base.
Article
How to Decide on Your Company’s Fiscal Year
By Catherine vanVonno | June 26, 2026
Choosing when to start a fiscal year may seem minor, but this step can hugely impact your business. Learn the factors that affect your fiscal year's start.
Article
The 7 Biggest Challenges of Starting a Business (and How to Overcome Them)
By Jennifer Dublino | June 26, 2026
Learn about the biggest challenges of starting a business, from funding and hiring to finding customers and avoiding burnout, plus practical tips and resources to help your startup succeed.