Resources for Sales Forecasting

Quickly find sales forecasting tools and sales forecasting system solutions. Research companies that provide accurate sales forecasts. Identify a vendor offering sales forecasting software that suits your business needs.
Sales Leads

Quickly find sales leads, sales lead lists, and companies offering lead generation services to clients seriously seeking leads. Before you purchase sales leads, review lead generat… more »

Budgeting Software

Quickly find vendors of budgeting and planning software for your business. Review providers of small business budgeting software and financial forecasting software. Monitor financi… more »

Newspaper Advertising

Companies that specialize in buying and selling newspaper advertisments. more »

Food and Beverage Advertising and Marketing

Offering advertising and marketing services for food and beverage businesses. more »

Agriculture Advertising and Marketing

Offering advertising and marketing services for a griculture businesses. more »

Get Your Business Listed

Get your business listed on this page

Reach active buyers and immediately increase your visibility

Get Started
Magazine Advertising

Companies that specialize in magazine and print advertising. Vendors offering access to classified and display advertising. more »

Accurate Sales Forecasting

A business owner without a sales forecast is like a ship's captain without a destination: Both operate on whim and reaction. A better approach is a sales forecast set at the beginning of each year and looking as far down the road as is practical. A sales forecast becomes essential to your business plan when you seek a loan or other financing because it predicts how well you expect your company to do. To create a vital sales forecast, you'll need to take this approach:
  1. Analyze your company's current situation — its strengths and weaknesses; competition now and in the future; keys to success; customer demographics; and anticipated changes and opportunities in the market.
  2. Look at past sales figures to predict future years.
  3. Use your sales forecast as a roadmap to your productivity goals. Will you need more marketing, more employees, a price increase? Let your forecast be your guide.

Profile your potential customers

Sources of statistical and anecdotal information can give you a good picture of who will buy your product or services. Such sources can also be used to predict the economic and population growth of your trading area.
U.S. Census Bureau examines the makeup of communities now and in the future. Claritas will segment your customers and target growth opportunities.

You can do it yourself

You don't need to be a math genius to create a sales forecast — just a record-keeper who makes well-informed guesses.
Pull your information into forecasts and reports with QuickBooks Premier Editions.

Or you can let software lead the way

Give Web-based programs your information, and they'll return forecasts and reports to you.
OutlookSoft Corp. provides a scalable platform. NetSuite Inc. specializes in solutions for small and midsize businesses.

Follow up every day

Web-based software that tracks your business daily can give you real-time forecasts and highlight sales tasks needing special attention.
Ross Systems Inc.'s iRenaissance was designed especially for process manufacturers. Salesforce.com offers real-time sales force automation.