Creation

Preparing an Online Business Plan
If you’re starting a new business of any type, you need to write a business
plan. If you’re adding online sales to an existing operation, dust off and
update your current business plan as well. Opening an online store is like
opening a new storefront in another city; it requires just as much planning.
Even if you’re only launching or revamping a Web site, I suggest writing a
shortened version of the business plan outlined in the following list.
Most business plans include some variation of the following sections:
-- Summary
-- Description of Business (type of business and goals)
-- Description of Product or Service
-- Competition (online and offline)
-- Marketing (target market, need, objectives, methods, promotion)
-- Sales Plan (pricing, distribution channels, order fulfillment)
-- Operations (facilities, staffing, inventory)
-- Management (key players and board)
-- Financial Data (financing, financial projections, legal issues)
The SBA (Small Business Administration) site includes free online business
advice for start-ups at www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/
writeabusinessplan/index.html, or search the Web for sample business
plans at sites like Bplans.com (www.bplans.com/sample_business_
plans/all_plans.cfm).
Going into detail about the process of writing a business plan is beyond the
scope of this book. If you need assistance, business attorneys or accountants
can help you get started and are familiar with local business organizations.
For free help, check out the small business program at the closest community
college or university, or locate a nearby small business support office at one
of the following sites:
-- Small Business Development Center (SBDC): www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbdc/sbdclocator/index.html
-- Small Business Administration (SBA): http://sba.gov
-- Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): www.score.org/findscore/index.html
To get a good handle on the basics, you might want to read Starting an Online
Business For Dummies, 5th Edition, by Greg Holden (Wiley Publishing) or
Business Plans Kit For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Steven D. Peterson, Peter E.
Jaret, and Barbara Findlay Schenck (Wiley Publishing).
Web sites don’t solve business problems; they create new challenges. If your
business is experiencing any problems, fix them first! Any difficulties with
computer infrastructure, record-keeping, manufacturing, supply chains, customer
service, order fulfillment, staffing, cost controls, training, or pricing are
only magnified when you go online