How to write a business plan
Proper business planning is key to starting or growing a business. To get started writing a business plan, take a look at our most popular business planning articles. Or check out our library of free sample business plans.
- A Standard Business Plan Outline
- Different Types of Plans for Businesses
- What Is a Business Plan?
- What Makes a Good Plan?
- Common Business Plan Mistakes
- A Simpler Plan for Startups
- How Long Should a Business Plan Be?
How to start a business
It takes inspiration and energy to start a business. So start up smart, with small business advice from Bplans. Check out some helpful articles on startup strategies, choosing the right business for you, getting funding, and other common startup issues.
- Business Startup Strategy
- The Right Business for You
- Know Your Industry Before You Start Your Business
- Estimating Realistic Startup Costs
Business management
Need real-world advice on how to take your small business to the next level or tips on how to manage your business better? Check out our selection of articles on small business growth strategy and planning as a management tool.
- Plan vs. Actual, Part 1: Implement Your Plan and Keep It Alive
- Successful Budgeting Involves People
- Existing Companies Need Planning Too
- Plan vs. Actual, Part 3: Understanding Variance Analysis
Financing a business
Is it better to finance a business with outside investment or bootstrapping? What are the tax implications of how you’ve structured your company? How do you find investors? Get help with these questions and more in our articles on small business finance.
- Break-even Analysis
- The Personal Guarantee for Credit Approval
- How Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) Are Taxed
- The Right Funding for Your Business Type
Buying a business
Interested in buying a business but not sure where to start? Get a practical introduction to the art of acquisition with our articles below on how to buy a business. Real-world advice on business valuation, the steps in the buying process, and more will help jump-start the process.
- Planning for Purchasing a Business
- Questions to Ask When Buying a Business
- What’s That Business Worth?
- Buying a Business? Know What You Are Getting!
Small business legal issues
Should you structure your new startup as an LLC, an S corp, or a sole proprietorship? What are the must-have components of a partnership agreement? Get up to speed quickly on basic small business legal issues with with our selection of articles on incorporation, company structure, and other related subjects.
- Legal Entities, Licenses and Permits
- Creating a Business Partnership Agreement
- Creating an LLC Operating Agreement
- Sole Proprietorship Basics
Marketing a small business
A solid marketing strategy is the key to growing your small business. From crafting a marketing plan to understanding market research, these articles will help you boost your marketing efforts.
