Success online depends on having a plan, or more specifically a business plan. Often, very often actually, clients contact a designer with a burning passion to have a new web site online, and fast. Success takes more than waking up bug-eyed at 2:00am with the brainstorm of the century. You need to outline (and fill in) a real business plan and make adjustments before the official launch. Citing an actual case for an online eBook business, I advised the aspiring entrepreneur to provide more information. Thinking through the questions and answers is a vital step towards developing a good business plan. - Do you have a logo for your company? - If no logo, what color scheme do you like? - How many products (eBooks) will you offer? - Are they all written and ready to go? - Do you have cover art for [+]

Business plan outlines are all different. The one common thread is that all business plan outlines help the writer answer the five W questions: who, what, when, where, why. If any of you ever worked in journalism or as reporters, what you want to do when you investigate anything is answer the 5 W's. A business plan outline is a concrete method for investigating a business idea so answering the 5 W's makes sense. Business Plan Outline of the 5 W's Who are you? Your business plan outline should detail your certifications, industry experience, and credentials. List the business credential that you've already received or those that you're planning on getting in the early stages. This part of the business plan outline also lists the staff you project needing and what their qualifications will be. [+]

Business startup funding is always a worry. Do I have enough money to start? Can I quit my job to concentrate full time? Will I be able to cover my monthly expenses? When the time comes to actually launch your business you must have done your homework regarding your business startup funding needs. You need to be prepared so that if the opportunity to accelerate your launch presents itself, you're ready. Assess Your Personal Finances Take out your checkbook and credit card statements and review all of your personal expenses. Find all the frills and eliminate them. It's tough to do, but if you're really committed to getting this business of the ground you need to reduce your personal expenses. Taking control of your business startup funding doesn't mean you have to quit enjoying life. You just have to prioritize for now. Skip the [+]