Starting a business takes advanced planning and research, arranging financing for investors, and conducting extensive market research regardless of whether you plan to sell online or in a physical location. You must also assess what to do if certain scenarios occur like losing a key supplier or a reversal in consumer buying trends. Most successful entrepreneurs conduct a SWOT analysis, write a detailed business plan and conduct extensive market research before settling on the details of a business.

What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Open a Business

You should begin your business planning by accessing helpful resources like the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE. Check with your local city’s licensing bureau because most city and county governments offer strong programs to develop and promote new businesses.

You also need to learn about real estate options if you plan to open a physical location by conducting marketing and demographic research. Opening a high-end shop in a dying neighborhood with low-income residents probably won’t work. Important things to consider when planning your business include:

• Developing a strong message that incorporates your business’s core concept, philosophy, and goals
• Understanding the customer that you are targeting and what steps are needed to supply strong customer-service orientation
• Learning what skills are needed for success, and developing them or hiring employees with the necessary qualifications
• Conducting research on your major competitors to learn what works in the present market conditions
• Creating a detailed business plan – even if you don’t need to attract investors or arrange financing
• Finding out the details with solid numbers regarding inventory costs, operating expenses, wages and salaries, insurance costs, rental or mortgage payments, etc.
• Planning to work lots of overtime – especially in the beginning – if you want success
• Choosing products and services that you passionately support to prevent burnout and boredom

Startup Business Necessities, Rules, and Regulations

Every type of business has unique rules, expected business standards, and regulations that must be followed. You must first obtain a business license from the state and city where you plan to operate, get a federal, state and city tax number, and decide on the form your business will take: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC. If you hire anyone other than a relative, you need to obtain liability insurance. Other types of insurance might be required or highly recommended depending on your industry. Most cities and states require registering any fictitious business name before conducting business, registering to collect sales tax, and withholding federal, state, and city taxes.

Certain industries require different licenses, and you might need a health permit, contractor’s license, or trademark to protect your name or slogan. Permits and licenses vary based on your industry and location. The SBA maintains a list of federal licenses and permits that you might need. It’s also necessary to comply with federal, state, and local labor laws, minimum wages, and safety regulations. You’ll need to open a business account right away to keep an accurate accounting of all business income and expenses. You also need to research insurance costs so that you can insure your business.

What Else Businesses Need for Success

Depending on your industry and location, you might need to conduct extensive market research, a SWOT analysis, and other industry-specific due diligence. Turning your ideas into a successful business venture requires a steady hand, a positive outlook, and attention to detail, but you can find plenty of online tools and resources. For example, a SWOT analysis is usually a part of your business plan that assesses your plan’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.