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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
9 Surefire Strategies to Help You Stand Out From the Competition
By Stella Morrison | December 16, 2025

Differentiating your brand from the competition gives you a competitive advantage. Learn ways to differentiate your product from the competition.

Article
The State of the B2B Sharing Economy
By Danielle Fallon-O’Leary | December 16, 2025

The sharing economy, also known as the peer-to-peer sharing economy, is a system where assets or services are shared between consumers.

Article
How to Start a Clothing Store
By Shari Weiss | December 10, 2025

Our guide breaks down everything you need to know about starting an in-person or online clothing store, with expert advice from retailers.

Article
The Benefits of Restaurant iPad POS Systems
By Skye Schooley | December 01, 2025

POS systems can provide a lot of value to your restaurant. Learn more about how this technology can boost your profits.

Article
Trademark Basics: How to Submit a Trademark
By Max Freedman | November 20, 2025

Submitting a trademark is a way to protect your intellectual property. Learn how to submit a trademark properly, how it differs from a copyright, and more.

Article
8 Keys to Upscaling Your Business
By Asim Rais Siddiqui | November 14, 2025

Upscaling your business is a risky decision, but you can minimize those risks with a sustainable business growth strategy. Find out the dos and don'ts here.

Article
How to Write a Company History
By Skye Schooley | November 11, 2025

A well-written company history on your website can do wonders in attracting customers to your brand. Here is how to write one.

Article
9 Little-Known Ways to Network With Hospitality Industry Insiders
By Jennifer Dublino | November 04, 2025

Making contacts within the hospitality industry can create opportunities for your business. Learn how to start networking effectively.

Article
Write Your Way to a Win: Business Proposal 101
By Jennifer Dublino | November 04, 2025

In some industries, writing business proposals is a crucial way to win new clients. Learn how to write a successful business proposal.

Article
A Gamble You Can’t Afford to Lose: Finding the Right Materials for Your Product
By Steve Cartier | October 27, 2025

Learn the crucial steps to finding the best materials for your manufactured products.

woman working at a table
Article
7 Pain Points Entrepreneurs Should Expect and Embrace
By Sean Peek | October 24, 2025

As an entrepreneur, you have to roll with the punches. Learn how to deal with these common pain points of running a business.

woman using a laptop
Article
Common Mistakes That Can Lead to Product Failure
By Jennifer Dublino | October 21, 2025

What pitfalls cause most products to fail? Learn about these common traps so you can avoid mistakes and a failed product launch.

Article
How Color Can Impact Your Restaurant
By Sean Peek | October 21, 2025

Red and yellow stimulate appetite, while blue suppresses hunger. Discover how color psychology affects restaurant sales, customer mood and dining duration.

Article
Think Like a Startup, Scale Like an Enterprise: Balancing the Best of Both Worlds
By Mark Fairlie | October 07, 2025

Think like a startup for innovation and agility, scale like an enterprise with systems and processes. Balance both approaches to drive sustainable growth.

Article
6 Benefits of Forming an S Corporation
By Jamie Johnson | September 25, 2025

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
Small Business Guide to Energy Conservation
By Jennifer Dublino | September 19, 2025

Conserving energy can help your business save money, reduce its carbon footprint and help the environment. Learn how your business can save energy.

Article
50 Free Websites to List Your Business
By Max Freedman | September 19, 2025

List your business free on 50+ sites, including Google Business Profile, Bing, Yelp, Angi, and HomeAdvisor. Boosts exposure, builds trust and drives traffic.

Article
Trademark Examples: Learn From These Trademark Infringement Cases
By Sean Peek | September 18, 2025

Learn from 6 trademark cases including Apple vs. Apple Corps, Louis Vuitton vs. Louis Vuiton Dak, and Academy Awards vs. GoDaddy. Register trademarks early.

Article
6 Reasons Your Business Should Have Strategic Partnerships
By Chad Brooks | September 12, 2025

Strategic partnerships like Starbucks & Google combine resources to expand reach, share costs, and access new markets. Six partnership types explained.

Article
15 Creative Business Sign Ideas That Will Attract More Customers to Your Store
By Miranda Fraraccio | September 11, 2025

Discover creative interior and exterior business sign ideas, tips to help your signage stand out and places to look to find your own inspiration.

Article
A 6-Step Guide to Making a Change Within Your Organization
By Sean Peek | September 02, 2025

Making changes in a company isn't easy, especially for non-managers, but anyone can make a difference. Take these steps to encourage meaningful change.

podcast equipment
Article
Best Business Podcasts You Should Be Listening To in 2026
By Skye Schooley | August 19, 2025

Podcasts are a great way for business owners and entrepreneurs to get business advice, learn about trends and find inspiration. Check out our favorites.

Article
Crazy Business Ideas That Were Surprisingly Successful
By Sean Peek | August 11, 2025

Does your business idea seem ridiculous on the surface? Take inspiration from these 10 businesses that found success despite starting with a "bad" idea.

Article
Best Franchise Podcasts to Help Your Franchised Business Grow
By Amanda Hoffman | August 07, 2025

Explore the best franchise podcasts for expert tips, interviews and tools to help new and seasoned franchisees succeed.

Article
When Are You No Longer a Startup?
By Sean Peek | July 31, 2025

How do you know your business has passed the startup stage? Find out the key signs here.

Busy office
Article
How to Tell If Your Business Is Growing Too Quickly (And What To Do About It)
By Mark Fairlie | July 30, 2025

While small businesses strive for growth, it's crucial to monitor signs of overburdening your company. Learn the signs of a business growing too quickly.

Article
MLM Scams: Are MLMs Preying on the Dream of Entrepreneurship?
By Tom Anziano | July 28, 2025

Learn how to tell the difference between legitimate business prospects and scams.

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Review
The Hartford Review
By Max Freedman | July 25, 2025

The Hartford offers more policy types than many insurers, often at competitive rates and always with robust customer support.

Article
SWOT Analysis Guide for Businesses
By Kiely Kuligowski | July 25, 2025

SWOT ― which stands for “strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats” ― is a type of analysis that helps you develop your business strategy.

Article
Why You Need to Develop Your Own Unique Product
By Jared Haw | July 25, 2025

If you sell products that anyone can get from other merchants, you'll never become a leader in your market. Here's how to develop unique products instead.