Can you give me advice on starting a new business?

I want to set up a small business doing freelance graphics design for small businesses.





Can anyone tell me everything I need to know before I begin?Can you give me advice on starting a new business?
10 steps to start new business:





1- What is your business plan


2- what is your financial backing


3- Rent or own the building


4- regulations and licencing - taxes and insurance


5- equipment ? computers, machines, etc


6- do you understand your customers wants and needs- how will you meet those wants/needs


7- location location, will the area sustain your business- is their room to grow?


8- advertising plan: to whom, where, what, when, how, cost


9- hours of operation - will you be open when your customers want/need you


10-Taxes- how much will you be paying?





There are not only 10 steps- most of the time you will find that you complete a step but then must revise it several times before it works. A ';Great Idea'; is how all business' start so your off to a great start.





Find out how many customers you will have wanting to enjoy your great idea also - begin by asking around. Mention your idea to several locals. Scout possible locations: investigate the differences between renting and owning the location. Call your insurance carrier, what kind of insurance will you need and the cost. Call or visit City Hall for information on licencing and permits.Can you give me advice on starting a new business?
Go to http://www.score.org/ and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor.





SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).





SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.
Well, I can't tell you everything you need to know cause then this would be 50 pages long. What I can suggest is first do a market survey. This will give you so much information from who your target market is, how much you should charge, where you should set up business. This can also be a tool to help you find out if your business is viable.





Create a business plan. This is a usefull tool with banks if you want a loan and even customers. It will also help you stay on task and see how your business is progressing.





Research all your competitors. If there are too many, then your chance of business success is slim and may not be worth the risk, if you find that there isn't much competition or that there is a gap in your market, then you proceed and have a greater chance of success.





Most business' fail due to no growth or slow growth, but the opposite is true as well. Try not to grow too fast otherwise you will find that you can't keep up with the demand and fail. Don't be afraid to say no.





If there are any business starting and managing courses around you, I highly recommend you attend, these can teach you everything you will need to start. From marketing to bookkeeping.





Check all by-laws in your area. If this an at-home business you may need to appy to change by-laws. Find out about whether or not you can have signs on your property.





I hope this helps and it is a start. Most government offices have information on how to start a business, also check at on their websites, there is a tonne of information available that is free. They may even be able to direct you to a free business coach who can be the best thing to happen to an entrepreneur. If you have to pay for one, I wouldn't until I had money coming in.
well starting up an business isn't easy and alot of work .





just make sure you don't get into financial trouble or over spend on things until it starts making money .
Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t's and dot all your i's before your business launch.





Steps to Starting a Business -


http://www.developer-resource.com/starti鈥?/a>





Other sites you might find helpful are:


SBA - http://www.sba.gov/


SCORE - http://www.score.org


Small Business Resource - http://www.small-business-software.net


Business Link - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/act鈥?/a>





Goodluck!
You may never get started if you try to learn everything before you begin. Get educated enough to begin, be a self started, keep educating yourself, learn from others that can do it well, find support sources. Try, fail, adjust...just get started.





Last year when I started working from home online I was looking around and found one that has really worked out well.


Supplement your income from a few sources, if you depend just on your freelance income you will have a yo-yo bank account.


Good luck.