Even if you have an online business, you should still develop a solid plan for it just as you would with a traditional brick-and-mortar company. Many people might feel as if this is an unnecessary step to take, but there are several key reasons why a business plan should be viewed as a requirement instead of an option.
Get Things Off to a Great Start
One of the most important reasons why you should develop a business plan is to make sure that you get everything off to a good start in a positive direction. Starting with a basic business plan outline will at least set the pace and get the ball rolling for you, allowing you to have a solid idea and full understanding of which steps need to be taken next. Keep in mind that this plan will serve as the blueprint for your business, so do your very best when working through it. Remember, more than 50 percent of small businesses permanently close within 18 months of opening. You don’t want your business to be a part of that statistic. Do everything you can now to lay a good foundation for your future.
You Need to Have a Game Plan
Think about your favorite sports team. Regardless of the actual sport or venue, they have developed a game plan and playbook beforehand so that they can achieve success and victories during their matches, games, and competitions. The same principle applies to the business world, according to Inc., especially since you are going to be competing against hundreds or even thousands of other competitors within the thriving world of eCommerce.
A basic business plan outline will allow you to have all of the necessary elements of a good playbook that will allow you to win much more than you might think. At the end of the day, the business with the best playbook and execution of those plays is the winner.
Qualify for Financial Loans and Investments
There are not very many businesses that can function and grow without applying and getting approved for some sort of third-party financing and funding. However, one of the first things that many investors and banking institutions request to review from potential applicants is the actual business plan, and you will definitely need to have something ready to show them when they ask for it.
They will want to review the plan thoroughly and will expect for it to cover quite a few main points and pertinent details, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. If you do not have a well-developed plan ready to go, you will discover rather quickly that quite a few doors of opportunity in this regard are closed shut. There are several essential items you should include in your business plan.
- Executive Summary: This is where you tell the reader what you want so they know right up front what you’re looking for. The executive summary should also be a short synopsis of the rest of your business plan.
- Market Analysis: How much do you know about your industry and your competitors? You want to come off as an expert in your field so you will be able to establish strategies for success.
- Service or Product: Here is where you describe what it is that you are actually selling or offering as a service. You need to emphasize what’s unique about your product as compared to other similar ones on the market.
- Company Overview: You need to have a description of your company, explaining the management structure, qualifications of your employees, and how everyone will work together toward a common goal.
An Effective Assessment Tool for Your Business
Another reason why you need to develop and periodically update your business plan is simply because it is can be used as an effective assessment tool over time. Keep in mind that you will continuously need to recognize your strengths but pay even more attention to your weaknesses. The last thing that you want to do is to open a business that is heavily flawed from the very beginning. If you make a major breakthrough or invention with the product you are selling, you will need to go back to your business plan and put that in. If your management structure or top employees change, that needs to be revised in your business plan too.
Developing a basic business plan outline will at least provide you with a realistic snapshot that identifies your chances of short-term and long-term success. Address any areas of concern and improvement, because doing so will pave the way toward achieving your goals in the future, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Bottom Line
When it comes down to it, whether you want to create a business plan or not is up to you. However, if you are serious about achieving success and getting the most value from your hard work and diligent efforts, then this should become and remain a top priority.