They know what they have, and are unwilling to take even modest risk for greater gain. Their fear is they'll lose some of what they already have.

If you hold such a position, you are vulnerable to more aggressive companies. You may wake up to fact that somebody is gnawing away at your customer base much too late to do anything about it. While this is true both off and online, a web based business can be devoured far more quickly than one offline.

What Is Required For Survival

If you want to continue to succeed, you must be one of few who do gnawing. You must continue to expand your customer base and increase your profits. While some growth can come from selling to people who had not previously considered your products, easiest and most direct way to acquire new customers is to steal them from your competitors.

Then, of course, you must hold them. Which often amounts to building ever greater customer relationships that support them in every possible way.

Direct Versus Indirect Competitors

If you are selling power mowers, those who sell hand mowers are competitors, but only indirectly. You can push this further, and note those who offer gardening services also compete. While you need to keep an eye on innovations by indirect competitors, your major concern is those who compete directly.

Are Your Competitors Tracking You?

If you haven't considered this, you may be about to be "eaten." You must assume at least one or more of your competitors is tracking you closely, looking for ways to bring those tasty morsels that are your customers to their table. To win out, you must move more quickly and effectively than they are able to do. Else your business will be gobbled up a bite at a time until what remains is swallowed whole.

Is Polish Needed?

Never overlook your site. Continuously ...

* Examine pages to be certain each is doing its job.

* Evaluate entire site to be sure it is flawlessly accomplishing its purpose.

* Check your CR (Conversion Ratio); be sure it's at maximum, and holding.

* Reconsider your methods of supporting customers to be sure no option has been overlooked or under utilized.

So why does a business plan matter? It’s your road map to future. Would you get in a car to go on vacation without a map to get you to your desired destination? Not unless you’ve gone route a few times previously, right? And since this is your first go around with your new business, it’s wise to create a business plan to increase your odds for success and give you a definite direction.

A business plan is also used for securing capital from banks, venture capitalists, investors and like. None of which will give you time of day unless you’ve done your homework. If you don’t care about future of your business, why should they?

So, as they say, “Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan”. Beginning business plan is often most intimidating part so let us help you along. It’s not so difficult and can even be quite fun. Imagine that? Building your business plan is a little like building confidence in your future and that always feels good.

Let’s start with what elements are in a business plan.