Small business owners starting up a business in these tough economic times can be quite difficult. Although the economic climate is not one in which favors a small business, there are still individuals who are opening up their own small business and following their dreams. Those who do decide to open their own small business must follow a strict business plan in order for their business to succeed. With that being said, there are number of tips small business owners can adhere to in order to give their business the best chance of surviving in this market.

Don’t Go in Broke!

The most important thing a small business owner can do before opening their small business is save as much money as possible. Quite often small business owners will go into business without any savings and rely purely on loans from banks or other sources. These owners believe that they will be able to start paying back the loan immediately when this is typically not the case. It can often take months or even years before the small business will begin to turn out a profit and only then can the business begin to pay back the loans they initially withdrew.

Be Smart With Your Expenditures

Other thing small business owners must keep in mind when opening their business is to think small to start. This means not taking space for an office unless it is necessary or another cheaper location is available. It also means do not hire employees unless you can keep them busy throughout the day. Instead, hire an independent contractor or a temporary employee which will serve as a solution for the time being without sacrificing potential business. Often times small businesses begin in a basement or a home office which allows the business to make the mistakes that all small businesses make on a small scale. This will ensure that the business does not suffer from these mistakes and bury the business in debt.

Is Your Profit Model Sound?

A small business should immediately have a plan for how they intend to make a profit. This should easily be stated in two or three sentences. This includes understanding the costs: how much inventory will cost, rent, employee salaries or hourly wages, and other miscellaneous charges the business will accrue. This allows the small business owner to determine exactly what numbers need to be hit in terms of sales and how much money needs to be gathered in order to cover the determined expenses and still turn a profit.

The Competitive Edge

Determining a competitive edge over other businesses in the area can be difficult but it is a necessity for all small businesses. What is going to separate your business from the competition? This is one of the necessary keys in order to have a business that is going to be successful in the long run. A couple ways to get a competitive edge over other businesses is to know more than the other businesses, come up with a product that is impossible to duplicate, distribute that product more efficiently than the other businesses, or even just have a better location than the competing businesses. Reacting to bad news is another way to hold a competitive edge over the competition. Determining a plan to face adversity is important and determining this plan faster than other companies will ensure a competitive edge over those companies.

Starting a new business can be difficult, especially in these tough economic times. This does not mean that starting a small business is impossible and there a number of individuals starting these businesses and doing very well. It is important to have a plan and execute that plan as efficiently as possible and the business will succeed.

This is a guest post by Rodney Warner, a full time SEO specializing in promoting sign supplies & commercial LED lighting.