Starting up any kind of business, even a small business, should always be approached with an attitude of thorough preparation, because that can avoid a number of unpleasant and even harmful developments later on. Industry entrepreneurs agree that by observing the following steps prior to startup, your chances of success will be vastly increased.

Research the Market

Conduct some exhaustive research into your intended market, in order to find out who your competitors are, and what their selling advantages are. You may find that someone else has already staked out your intended territory, and that you should reconsider your business proposition. If you aren’t able to provide a better product or service, or for less cost, then you’ll need some other way to distinguish yourself from rivals. Have a clear understanding of why you are starting up this business, so when times are difficult, you can remind yourself of your initial reasoning.

Get Organized, Get a Mentor

It may sound overly obvious, but getting organized is a step which many business novices overlook, and yet when small business owners find themselves having to fill the many roles involved in making a business work, they quickly lose any original organization they started out with. Finding a mentor who can help guide you through this kind of chaos, can be a huge benefit, and can help sidestep many of the inevitable pitfalls.

Enlist Professional Help

Legal advice isn’t just for when you get in trouble, it should be more of a proactive step which helps you be aware of tax considerations, and to anticipate legal situations before they occur, so they can be avoided. Hiring an accountant is also a great idea, because it can give you an understanding of what will be necessary in order for your business to earn profits, and hopefully to grow into a larger enterprise.

Engage in Networking

Consult others in your intended market to whatever extent that is possible, even if they ultimately failed in their attempt. Their stories of success and failure can provide valuable insights into the real business world. Apart from the purely business impacts, you can also learn about how having a business can affect all other phases of your personal life.