Any business that has started its initial operations or is intended to start functioning soon is called a startup business. Startups mainly depend on the owners’ capital and usually need more funds. For the success of all businesses or startups, focusing on their initial and early stages is essential and creates a solid business base. These stages are among the most critical pillars in building a strong and successful business. At these stages, the business owners have multiple tasks, and all require time and attention because they create the business’s individuality and value. Those tasks include starting a business model and business plan, creating budgets, finding the right Human Resources (HR) team, and finding a Unique Selling Point (USP) for their services and/or products.
Due to the overload of tasks, business managers end up confused and can make errors due to the stress of managing multiple tasks simultaneously. Therefore, creating a business startup checklist is essential to ensure all operations and functions are performed and to keep a check on the list made.
The following are steps to create a checklist and what the significance of each stage is:
- Identify if your product or service can generate revenues and profits. The first step when an entrepreneur plans to start a business should be identifying the capability of the product or service you intend to sell or promote. You should ask yourself if you would be attracted to what you are selling and should be honest with yourself. Determine the uniqueness of your presentation and how it will attract your customers. You can also work out a USP of your product at this point.
- Form up a central idea. Determine what exactly you are looking forward to in business planning and how you will ensure success for your business. It is essential to find the right motivation for your business.
- Create a business plan. An essential aspect of a successful business is having a business plan. A business plan helps point out a business’s important tasks and goals and will make it easier to focus on important tasks. It also enables you to achieve your objectives and goals.
- Give your business a name. Finding a unique name for your business that represents the product or service you have decided to sell is vital. The business name gives your business an identity, and it is a label that helps you stand out from your competitors. Your business name should be good enough for people to remember your products in association with your brand’s name. Use a similar domain name for your website and register it.
- Find out the laws and regulations of running a business. It is important to figure out what legal structure your business must follow, and you should involve your accountant and attorney when navigating the legal process and obtaining a business license.
- Open bank accounts. A business bank account helps you track business expenses, simplify tax reporting, and deposit payments under your company name. It also keeps your funds secured; you can keep your personal and business bank accounts separate. You can even organize your finance records easily when your transactions are linked with a business account.
- Conduct market research. Researching the market helps you determine what customers are looking for and informs you if you are reaching and connecting with your customers. You can form market strategies after researching the market and finding ways to improve your customer relationship.
- Sign up on different social media platforms and create a website. It is important to keep all your accounts updated as your social media accounts reach the audience with information about you. You can use social media accounts to connect with your customers and promote your product or service without spending money.