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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

Article
How to Build Business Momentum With Limited Resources
By Sean Peek | September 04, 2026
You don't need a massive bankroll to propel your business to new heights.
Article
What a Bill of Materials Is and Why You Need One
By Sean Peek | September 04, 2026
A bill of materials is essential for organizing manufacturing processes, managing resources and reducing waste.
Article
8 Reasons Why the Cash-Only Model Doesn’t Work for Small Businesses
By Mark Fairlie | September 04, 2026
Your customers need the convenience of multiple payment options.
woman working at a table
Article
7 Pain Points Entrepreneurs Should Expect and Embrace
By Sean Peek | September 04, 2026
Use these strategies to prepare for the challenges of entrepreneurship.
accountants working at a desk
Article
11 Ways to Drastically Cut Business Costs
By Katharine Paljug | September 04, 2026
Cutting costs is top of mind for many small business owners looking to improve profitability and strengthen their financial footing.
Article
14 KPI Tools to Track Your Business’s Goals
By Skye Schooley | September 03, 2026
These KPI tools turn complex business data into dashboards your team can actually use.
Article
How to Write a Winning Business Proposal
By Jennifer Dublino | September 01, 2026
To land new clients, you often need a solid business proposal.
people discussing a business plan
Article
The New Business Owner’s Starter Checklist: LLC, Domain and Everything in Between
By Chad Brooks | August 11, 2026
There’s a lot to do when starting a business, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This checklist will help you stay on top of the most important tasks.
Two coworkers having a discussion
Article
5 Mistakes First-Time LLC Owners Make — and How to Avoid Them
By Chad Brooks | August 11, 2026
These mistakes are common among first-time LLC owners. Make sure you avoid them with the help of this guide.
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
Registering your business could mean exposing your home address to the public. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to avoid doing so.
Article
Turn Your Genealogy Hobby Into a Side Business
By Chad Brooks | August 05, 2026
Learn how to turn your passion for genealogy into a legitimate home-based business.
Article
Resources for veteran-owned businesses
By Jennifer Dublino | August 05, 2026
Support is plentiful for vets transitioning to the world of entrepreneurship.
running payroll features image
Article
How to Run Payroll in Under 5 Minutes
By Adam Uzialko | July 23, 2026
Managing payroll doesn’t have to take up hours of your time. With the right tools, you can prepare and run payroll in less than five minutes.
Article
Why Every Business Owner Needs an Exit Strategy
By Mark Fairlie | July 14, 2026
An exit strategy is a key component of entrepreneurship, as it can provide a sense of safety and peace of mind.
hands typing on a laptop
Article
Your Record Was Expunged, But It’s Still Online. Now What?
By Chad Brooks | July 10, 2026
If your record was expunged but still appears online, it could have ramifications for your business. Online reputation management services can help.
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
A loss payee gets paid first following an insurance claim.
Article
8 Tips to Manage Your Time as a Small Business Owner
By Jennifer Dublino | July 06, 2026
A small business owner’s time is precious. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Article
What Is a Receipt Printer? Thermal vs Impact
By Sean Peek | July 02, 2026
Discover the differences between thermal and impact printers and which type is better for your business.
Article
The Roadmap to Starting a Membership Site From Scratch
By Mark Thompson | June 26, 2026
Do you want to create an informative, engaging subscription site with a loyal member base? There are some specific steps you’ll need to follow to launch successfully.
Article
How to Decide on Your Company’s Fiscal Year
By Catherine vanVonno | June 26, 2026
Choosing when to start your fiscal year is one of the first steps when setting up a new business.
Article
The 7 Biggest Challenges of Starting a Business (and How to Overcome Them)
By Jennifer Dublino | June 26, 2026
Starting a business isn't for the faint of heart. Identifying and tackling your biggest challenges is crucial for long-term success.
Article
Outgrowing Your Office Space? Should You Lease or Buy?
By Karina Fabian | June 26, 2026
Deciding whether to lease or buy office space starts with a close look at your finances, growth plans and the current commercial real estate market.
Article
10 Tips for Young Entrepreneurs
By Jennifer Dublino | June 26, 2026
If you dream of being a successful entrepreneur, start preparing now.
Article
9 Elements of a Successful Financial Plan for a Small Business
By Jamie Johnson | June 25, 2026
Improve your chances of growth by covering these bases in your plan.
Article
How Much Does Insurance Cost for a Small Business?
By Kimberlee Leonard | June 23, 2026
Insurance is vital for small businesses to protect against risks, and costs vary based on factors, such as industry and coverage needs.
Article
Want to Invest in Digital Real Estate? How to Get Started
By Sean Peek | June 16, 2026
You’ve seen people make money from website ownership. Here’s how you can do it, too.
Article
Trademark Examples: Learn From These Trademark Infringement Cases
By Sean Peek | June 01, 2026
You could be committing trademark infringement without knowing it. Here are several trademark cases to learn from.
person signing a contract
Article
How Insurance Underwriting Works
By Adam Uzialko | May 15, 2026
busy season graphic
Article
How Small Businesses Can Restock Supplies During Their Busiest Months
By Adam Uzialko | May 12, 2026
Plan ahead to ensure you’ve got a reserve of critical supplies before your busiest season hits to avoid disruption.