Your free business.com+ membership unlocks exclusive tech deals and advisor support
Join Free
BDC Hamburger Icon

Menu

Close
BDC Logo with Name
Search Icon
Search Icon

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.

Presented by in Partnership with
Sponsor
Business.com earns commissions from some listed providers. Editorial Guidelines.

Expert Business Advice, Tips and Resources

The Best Business Products and Services

More Best Picks

Expert Business Advice, Tips and Resources

How to Increase Your Restaurant’s Profits in 2026
Master the art of profitable restaurant hospitality with these 16 strategies to elevate your customer loyalty and overall success.
Sean Peek
Sean Peek
Executive Cars: Guide to the Best CEO Cars
Discover the ultimate guide to the best 10 vehicles for CEOs, including how each car reflects aspects of your character.
Miranda Fraraccio
Miranda Fraraccio
Open for Business: 5 Options for Setting Up an Online Store
Whether you have a new business or want to add online sales as a revenue stream, setting up an e-commerce store is easy. Here are some options to get started.
Jennifer Dublino
Jennifer Dublino
Trademark Examples: Learn From These Trademark Infringement Cases
You could be committing trademark infringement without knowing it. Here are several trademark cases to learn from.
Sean Peek
Sean Peek

Latest: Advice, Tips and Resources

Article
Requirements for Keeping Paycheck Records
By Julie Thompson | January 30, 2026

Employers keep paycheck records to comply with federal and state laws, complete tax returns, and use in audits. Here's what you need to know.

laptop
Article
Reducing Administrative Burden: How Small Business Owners Can Reclaim 10+ Hours Per Week
By Adam Uzialko | January 29, 2026

Automation can help small business owners save 10 or more hours every week on necessary administrative tasks. This guide covers how you can reclaim your time.

Article
Better Together: Making Magic Between Big Companies and Startups
By Mark Fairlie | January 29, 2026

Startups and enterprises can complement each other by collaborating. Learn how large and small players can overcome issues and work together.

Article
Industries That Take Full Advantage of the Subscription Business Model
By Kimberlee Leonard | January 29, 2026

See how specific industries have taken advantage of the subscription model. Learn subscription model benefits and tips for using it in your business.

Article
Important Things to Do After Your Trademark Is Registered
By Julie Thompson | January 29, 2026

Registering your trademark is the first step in protecting your brand. Learn what to do next to ensure you're handling the trademark process properly.

Article
How to Apply for a Copyright Online
By Julianna Lopez | January 29, 2026

Obtaining a copyright is a straightforward process online. Learn how to apply for a copyright online and the benefits of protecting intellectual property.

Article
Do It for Me: The Next Evolution of the On-Demand Economy
By Jamie Johnson | January 29, 2026

Consumers want convenience, which often means they want someone to do something for them on demand. Learn how to take advantage of the DIFM movement.

Article
9 Elements of a Successful Financial Plan for a Small Business
By Jamie Johnson | January 29, 2026

Improve your chances of growth and success by covering these bases in your financial plan.

Article
Build a Brand That Attracts Gen Z and Millennial Customers
By Sean Peek | January 29, 2026

Check out these branding tips for business owners to connect with Generation Z and millennial consumers.

Article
5 Ways a UX Designer Can Benefit Your Company
By Jamie Johnson | January 29, 2026

A user experience, or UX, designer makes products accessible and usable. Learn how a UX designer can optimize your offerings and help your small business.

Article
Managing Resources: ERP Industry Trends That Impact the Bottom Line
By Mark Fairlie | January 28, 2026

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) helps businesses drive quality by recording and storing real-time business performance data. Learn ERP trends to watch.

Article
Brand Reputation: How to Protect Your No. 1 Asset
By Mark Fairlie | January 28, 2026

Your most valuable asset is your brand reputation. Learn how to protect it by keeping employees and customers happy and using reputation-management tools.

Article
11 Scams That Prey on Small Businesses
By Jennifer Dublino | January 28, 2026

Scammers often target small and midsize businesses. Beware of these 10 business-related scams, and learn how to avoid cybercriminals and hackers.

online customer
Article
How to Set a Price for Your Service
By Jennifer Dublino | January 28, 2026

Setting the proper prices for your services is one of the most crucial elements of business. Learn how to set fair and accurate prices for your services.

Article
Business Insurance Guide
By David Gargaro | January 28, 2026

This guide to business insurance can help you understand the policies available to your small business and determine which policies are right for you.

creative marketing team
Article
Are You Telling the Right Story About Your Brand?
By Sean Peek | January 28, 2026

Learn how to identify and share the right story about your brand to usher in loyal consumers.

Article
Choosing the Right Outsourcing Partner
By Shahid Mansuri | January 28, 2026

Outsourcing is often great for business but it can offer challenges. Learn how to find the right partner to help you grow your company.

Article
8 Reasons Why the Cash-Only Model Doesn’t Work for Small Businesses
By Mark Fairlie | January 28, 2026

Customers want payment options, making the cash-only model inconvenient. If your business doesn’t accept credit cards, here are eight reasons you should.

Article
Take Your Restaurant to the Next Level: 13 Tips for Busy Owners
By Mark Fairlie | January 27, 2026

Opening your restaurant is only the first step. Embrace these strategies to keep your food establishment thriving.

Article
4 Marketing Hacks to Help You Attract the Right Investors
By Jennifer Dublino | January 27, 2026

Marketing strategy is a crucial aspect of landing investors. Use your marketing skills to identify, message and pitch potential business investors.

Office workers
Article
Get It Together: 7 Quick Ways to Make Your Business More Organized
By Leah Zitter | January 27, 2026

Use these simple tricks to make your business more efficient with the minimum resources.

Article
Time Crunch: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Prioritizing Your Tasks
By Jennifer Post | January 27, 2026

Entrepreneurs often find themselves overburdened with tasks. Learn how to allocate your time and prioritize your tasks.

Article
Benefits of Using an Order Fulfillment Service
By Sean Peek | January 27, 2026

Learn how outsourcing your e-commerce business's order fulfillment needs can streamline operations, save time and conserve resources.

woman working at a table
Article
What is the Pomodoro Technique? A Time Management Method for Business Productivity
By Skye Schooley | January 27, 2026

Learn how to implement the Pomodoro Technique in your small business. These 25-minute focus blocks prevent burnout and boost productivity.

Article
Open a Business Bank Account Without an EIN
By Skye Schooley | January 27, 2026

Can you open a business account without an EIN? Yes! Learn which business types qualify, required documents, and when getting an EIN may be smart.

Article
10 Successful Businesses You Didn’t Know Were Run By Women
By Jennifer Dublino | January 27, 2026

Female entrepreneurs own 39 percent of American firms. Check out this list of women-led companies and some great resources for small business owners.

Article
Can You Make a Profit and Be Socially Responsible?
By Jennifer Dublino | January 26, 2026

Corporate social responsibility increases customer loyalty and cuts costs through sustainable practices like solar energy that pay back in 3 to 5 years.

marketing meeting
Article
How to Rebrand Your Business
By Stella Morrison | January 26, 2026

Rebranding is meant to change public perception of your organization. Here is how to make the process a success.

Article
How to Choose and Open a Business Checking Account
By Meredith Wood | January 23, 2026

Creating a new company banking account is important so you want to do your research. Here are three steps to opening your business checking account.

Article
How Much Does It Cost to Start an Online Business?
By Zac Johnson | January 23, 2026

While expenses to begin an online business vary, here are some common costs you can expect to see with your new venture.