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Graphic Design Business Plan Template

Published Jan.30, 2018

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Noor Muhammad

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Table of Content

Do you want to start graphic design business?

Are you planning to start your own company of graphics designing ? Well, if you are creative and also have the ability to bring your creativity to the table then this is definitely the right business for you.

Graphic designing is probably one of the skills which are needed in nearly every other business. If you are not convinced, just look around you and you will see graphics everywhere. Graphic designing is needed in branding, posters, print advertisement, product packaging, publications (newspapers, books, magazines etc.), handbills, billboards, websites, in short nearly all areas. This business has undoubtedly a lot of market potential and a need for continuously emerging new and innovative minds.

The biggest benefit of starting this business is that it requires the least capital investment as compared to many other businesses. You can start this business in a small office with a small team and a little inventory comprising of laptops, and a few office and stationery products. The second benefit is that this business starts yielding a profit as soon as it is launched and has the least amount of risk associated with it, provided that you are creative and plan your business effectively.

So, before you move on to starting this venture, you will have to prepare a comprehensive graphics design business plans which will establish the basis of your company’s future operations and decisions. If you are wondering how to write one then here we are providing you the business plan for a graphic designing business startup named ‘PixelCo’.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

PixelCo will be a bonded, insured and licensed graphic design business striving to cultivate relevant and meaningful connections between brands and people by our unparalleled visuals and graphic designing services. PixelCo will be located in the Manhattan borough of the New York City and will be owned by Angela Gori, a world-renowned Graphic Designer. Gori has been associated with some of the world’s biggest graphics designing companies and was Chief Creative Officer for the American Marketing Association, D.C. Chapter for last 6 years. She has worked with about 14 out of top Fortune 100 companies as well as various influential associations, consumer brands, educational institutions and government agencies.

A 200 square feet office has already been acquired on lease in the center of the main commercial district of the downtown Manhattan. The place was formerly used as an office for a small IT firm. Some changes and interior designing woodwork are also required and a contractor has been hired for this purpose.

2.2 Management

The success of a startup heavily depends on its staff and management so make sure to plan it before thinking about how to start your own graphic design business . Gori has always been extremely passionate to start a graphic design company of her own even from her college days, that’s she had planned everything beforehand.

The main management body of the company will comprise of sales executives, graphic artists, cartoon and animation specialists, website developers and customer representatives. The team will be led and managed by Gori herself, who is well experienced in fulfilling all business plans for graphic design needs. The staff will be hired one month before the launch of startup and will be trained by Gori.

2.3 Customers

Our target market is the corporate sector, institutions, and organizations located in Manhattan and other parts of the world because anybody from anywhere can acquire our services through our official website and can pay us via PayPal, Payoneer, or online bank transfer. We will provide all sort of graphic designing business mainly website design, logo design, advertising material design, animations design, etc. We have priced all our services in the similar ranges as of our competitors except for brand logos whose price have been set 20% less so as to encourage sales. For an express delivery of 24 hours, an additional 10% amount will be charged on all of our services.

2.4 Business Target

We aim to become the best graphic designer in the New York City within next five years of our startup. Our main business targets to be achieved as milestones over the course of next three years are as follows:

• To achieve the net profit margin of $10k per month by the end of the first year, $15k per month by the end of the second year, and $25k per month by the end of the third year
• To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the first year
• To open up a second company office by the end of three years in San Francisco, and a third office by the end of five years in Los Angeles

2.5 Keys to Success

We can achieve our business targets by following these keys to success:

• Successful marketing of our services through various platforms so as to attract as maximum customers as possible
• Ultimate client satisfaction by providing high-quality work and unlimited revisions until the client is fully satisfied
• Unparalleled customer service so as to build long-term working relationships with the clients

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

PixelCo will be owned by Angela Gori, a world-renowned Graphic Designer. After completing her Masters of Art in Graphic Designing from University of Illinois, Chicago, Gori remained associated with some of the world’s biggest graphics designing companies and was Chief Creative Officer for the American Marketing Association, D.C. Chapter for last 6 years. She has also been recognized with the prestigious FOLIO: Top Women in Media award for her achievements as a leader. So far, she has worked with almost 14 out of top Fortune 100 companies as well as various influential associations, consumer brands, educational institutions and government agencies.

3.2 Why the Business is being started

Gori pursued her passion by serving in some of the biggest graphic designing companies of the United States but soon she realized that she can establish her name in this industry only by her own setup. That’s when she decided to start graphic design business completely by herself. Now, she will have all the freedom needed to realize even the craziest of her innovative ideas.

3.3 How the Business will be started

Starting a graphic design business is very easy since it doesn’t require as much inventory as needed in other businesses. Gori has planned everything about her business including the required personnel and inventory. The company will procure following things for the startup.

• Office furniture including three filing cabinets, four work desks, couch and chairs for customer waiting area, a round table with chairs for meeting area
• Four computers with color printers, scanners, and graphic tablets
• Graphic designing and other related software including Illustrator, Freehand, Photoshop, Quark, Traffic Office Manager, Font Management Utilities, and Microsoft Project
• A small library of requisite journals and magazines
• Assorted office stationary and brochures
• A strong internet connection and office telecom systems

The financial experts have forecasted following costs for expenses, assets, investment, and bank loans for the business plan .

The detailed start-up requirements, start-up funding, start-up expenses, total assets, total funding required, total liabilities, total planned investment, total capital and liabilities as forecasted by experts, is given below:

Services for customers

PixelCo will mainly provide visual communication and graphic designing services to small startups as well as established companies. We want to compete with all leading graphic design businesses in the United States, which is why we have formed a quality assurance team that will ensure that all of our services meet our customers’ expectations. Our products and services are listed below:

• Website design and graphics
• Print media design including newspapers, magazines, and books
• Advertising and corporate branding including brochures, infographics, posters and product packaging
• Logo design and visual identity services
• Illustrations and presentations
• Animations and cartoons production

Our services can either be acquired by visiting our office in downtown Manhattan or by our official website.

Customers can contact us online where they will be assigned to one of our representatives who will record the customer order in detail. Customers can also pay us via PayPal, Payoneer, or online bank transfer.

Marketing Analysis of graphic design business

The most important component of an effective graphic design business plans is its accurate marketing analysis that’s why Gori acquired the services of marketing experts to help her through this phase. It is only after this stage that a good graphic design business plans could have been developed. After identifying the trends of graphic design market in the New York City, the marketing experts and analysts also helped her to select the best site for establishing the main office of the company.

The success or failure of a business totally depends upon its marketing strategy which can only be developed on the basis of accurate marketing analysis. There are four main steps to carry out an accurate graphic design marketing analysis which are to identify the current market trends, identify your target audience and potential customers, set out the business targets to achieve, and finally set the prices of your products and services. Marketing analysis is extremely important because the planning of many subsequent components depends on it and it also forms the basis of the business strategy of marketing for graphic designers or graphic designing companies. Therefore, it must be considered before developing the planned business model graphic .

5.1 Market Trends

Graphic design is non-verbal or visual communication. Anything that cannot be done verbally but needs to be communicated must be put into some form of design so as to send the message across. If you look around you will find yourself surrounded by graphics, the picture on your coffee mug, the magazine cover, the pack of gum on your desk, and even the typeface in a TV ad are all examples of graphic design business plans.

That’s why graphic design industry is one of the biggest and the fastest growing industries in the world. As of 2017, there were more than 335,000 graphic design companies in the world including small and large companies as well as individual graphic design freelancers. The annual revenue earned by these businesses was over $62 Billion. Moreover, this industry is one of the few industries which have seen a constant increase in revenue along with the increase in business locations with time. Similarly, graphic designing is one of the popular businesses in the United States. According to the US Bureau of Labor, the graphic design industry employed more than 280,000 people in the US as of 2008 including web designers and other print designers as well.

This growth is attributed to the increase in other businesses in the United States since all businesses require graphic design services to appear professionally to the public. Graphic designing services are required by every business for its advertisement, promotion, and marketing and as other business increases, the market for graphic design business plans also increases. After identifying these market trends, it is clearly evident that the graphic design business is always blooming and can be immensely profitable provided that you plan your business successfully.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

Our target market is the corporate sector located in the Central Business District of the Manhattan which provides many opportunities to us. Manhattan houses more than 300,000 businesses as of 2014, including local, national and multinational businesses. On average, these businesses make millions of dollars every year and can easily spend extravagantly on their graphic designing needs for the sake of promoting their brands.

In order to develop a good marketing strategy, it is crucial to analyze the market segmentation. A successful and efficient marketing strategy can only be developed after we completely know our potential customers. Our experts have identified the following type of target audience which can become our future consumers:

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

5.2.1 Corporate Sector:

The biggest consumer of our services will be the corporate sector located in the Downtown Manhattan and in various parts of the world. There are hundreds of local, national and multinational businesses and companies located within 15 km radius of our office including product manufacturers and distributors, real estate owners, developers, and contractors, research and development companies, banks and insurance companies, hotels, restaurants and food companies, IT and software development firms, branding and advertising agencies.

These companies and businesses require the services of graphic designers for fulfilling their visual communicative needs such as to create/update their brand logos and create/update the graphics on their websites or social media pages. These companies need graphic designers for developing an instant connection between their target audience and their products/services, and also for producing visual aids and informative images (e.g. menu for a restaurant, infographics) that help the customers in communication and various other purposes. Utilizing an appropriate graphic design can improve every aspect of a business and can positively impact clients, vendors, and employees.

Considering the need of graphic designing for these businesses and their annual average income, our experts have forecasted this target group to contribute the biggest portion of our revenue. Hence our marketing strategy will be specifically tailored to attract this customer group.

5.2.2 Institutions & Organizations:

Our second target group comprises of various institutions and organizations located in Manhattan including government and public-sector organizations, schools, colleges and universities, political parties, religious and sports organizations, and non-profit organizations. These organizations also need graphic design services for promoting their messages and other purposes.

5.2.3 Print & Digital Media:

Our third target group consists of print and digital media companies located in Manhattan. These companies include but are not limited to television studios, video production companies, publication companies (for graphics designing of newspapers, magazines, and books). This group, due to its specific nature, requires a lot of graphic designing work and will thus become the second biggest consumer of our services. The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

5.3 Business Target

Our target is to balance the initial cost of startup within the first year of our launch and to become the best graphic designer of the New York City within next five years of our startup.

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5.4 Product Pricing

Product and service pricing is one of the most important factors in deciding the strategy for an event planning business. After considering the market demands, we have priced all our services in the similar ranges as of our competitors except for brand logos whose price have been set 20% less so as to encourage sales. The reason behind our pricing policy is to achieve the minimum attractive rate of return which would not be possible in case of offering our services at low prices. Various packages are priced according to the delivery time and number of revisions. For an express delivery of 24 hours, an additional 10% amount will be charged on all of our services.

After identifying the graphic designer demographics , market trends, market demand, and the potential customers of the startup, the next step is to define an effective strategy to target graphic design customers. A successful strategy can only be developed after setting specific marketing goals, defining milestones to achieve those goals, carrying out a competitive analysis to know what is missing in your current competitors, and finally develop the strategy for attracting your potential customers.

6.1 Marketing Goals

• Website Traffic & Conversions: Our goal would be to achieve a 20% increase in website traffic each month and to get at least an 80% conversion rate, i.e. to turn 80% of our website visitors into our customers.
• Engagement Rate & Social Media Following: Engagement rates indicate the frequency at which people interact with your posts. Our goal would be to increase engagement rates and our social media following so as to decrease the response time to customers.
• Brand Awareness & Recognition: A business’s reputation builds over time. Our goal will be to get featured in the local news or on a certain website by a popular blogger within first 3 months of our launch.
• Google Search Ranking: Google search rankings is one of the most important factors in deciding the success of a business, especially a startup that’s why we will play special emphasis on it. Our goal would be to rank on the first page of Google within 3 months of our launch.

6.2 Milestones

The important milestones to achieve our marketing as well as business goals are given in the following Gantt Chart.

6.3 Competitive Analysis

The graphic design business plans is undoubtedly one of the most competitive industries of the United States. With the increasing number of graphic design startups and freelancers, the competition is getting stiffer by the day. One has to be highly creative and come up with innovative designs and concepts so as to survive and grow in this industry. Our competitive advantage lies in the power and dedication of our team. We have a team of creative and highly proficient graphic designers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience various niche areas in the graphic design industry. Our second biggest competitive advantage will be the leadership of Gori since she is a world-renowned graphic designer and has worked with 14 out of top Fortune 100 companies.

6.4 Sales Strategy

After carrying out a detailed analysis, our experts came up with the following brilliant ideas to advertise and sell ourselves.

• We will advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and social media.
• We will introduce our company to corporate organizations and key stakeholders by sending introductory letters alongside our brochures.
• We will offer a 25% discount on our services for the first three months of our launch.
• We will offer a 40% discount on all of our services on Client’s referral.

6.5 Sales Forecast

Considering the quality of our services and our exceptional marketing strategy, our sales pattern is expected to increase with years. By analyzing our market segmentation strategy, our experts have forecasted the following sales on a yearly basis which are summarized in the column charts.

The detailed information about sales forecast, total unit sales, total sales is given in the following table:

6.5.1 Sales Monthly

6.5.2 Sales Yearly

With the advent of the internet, it has become very easy for a graphic design company to work for those clients who are located in any other part of the world. That’s why most of the graphic design companies located in the United States have their biggest clients in other countries of the world. This trend is somewhat unique to the graphic design industry and is probably one of the reasons for its rapid growth and expansion. Even any of you can start your own graphic design business either through a freelancing website or by creating your own website.

7.1 Website Marketing Strategy:

The international graphic design business is only possible through a well-developed website. A website is just like a digital platform where the clients and service providers can interact, make contracts and even send/receive payments. In addition to that, it is an established fact that a well-ranked website on Google directly or indirectly leads to increased sales. That’s why it is very important to develop an attractive website for a graphic designing business plans.

7.2 Website Development:

Gori has a team of website developers, led by Anna Rick, who would be responsible for developing and maintaining the official website of PixelCo. Anna would also ensure that our website remains on the first page of Google because you don’t exist if you are not ranked on the first page of Google. Since this task will be done by our team so no additional cost will be incurred in the startup.

Personnel plan

Personnel plan, like all other plans, is an important component of effective d esign business plans so it must be planned before you even think about how to market your graphic design business . Its importance is due to the fact that success of any business significantly depends upon its employees. It is never easy to estimate the number and type of staff needed for a company before it is even launched therefore it is advisable to seek the help of HR experts to get through this phase. Gori acquired the services of experts to help her develop the following personnel plan for her company.

8.1 Company Staff

Gori will act as the General Manager of the company and will initially hire following people before she moves to start a graphic design business :

• 1 Accountant to maintain financial and other records
• 4 Sales Executives responsible for marketing and discovering new ventures
• 10 Graphic Artists for designing logos, infographics, brochures, and other graphics
• 2 Cartoon and Animation Specialists for designing animation for various purposes
• 4 Website Developers led by Anna for graphical work pertaining to websites
• 4 Customer Representatives to interact with customers and record their orders
• 1 Front Desk Officer to act as a receptionist
• 1 Security Officer

We will ensure that only qualified, creative, hardworking, customer-centric are hired and they are always ready to work in order to help us build a prosperous business benefitting all stakeholders (owner, workforce as well as customers). To ensure the best quality service, all employees will be selected through vigorous testing and will be trained for a month before starting their jobs.

8.2 Average Salary of Employees

The following table shows the data about employees and their salaries for next three years. The salaries of the employees for the second and third year are estimated by our experts on the basis of our forecasted expansion. The salaries will show a deviation if the company expands more or less than the forecasted growth rate.

Financial Plan

After deciding the strategy and personnel plan of the company, the next step is to develop a detailed map about the financial projections covering all aspects of the company. Just like the planning of other aspects, you must prepare a financial plan before you start thinking about how to start graphic design business . The financial plan should craft a detailed map about the cost of startup, inventory, payroll, equipment, rent, utilities and how these costs will be covered by the earned profits. So, before starting a graphic design business , make sure to carry out a detailed profit and loss analysis. The company financial plan outlines the development of the company over the next three years and is specifically developed to achieve both the company’s short-term and long-term objectives.

9.1 Important Assumptions

The company’s financial projections are forecasted on the basis of following assumptions. These assumptions are quite conservative and are also expected to show deviation but to a limited level such that the company’s major financial strategy will not be affected.

9.2 Brake-even Analysis

The following graph shows the company’s Brake-even Analysis.

The following table shows the company’s Brake-even Analysis.

9.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The following charts show the company’s expected Profit and Loss situation on the monthly and yearly basis.

9.3.1 Profit Monthly

The following graph shows the monthly profit, as forecasted by the company’s financial experts.

9.3.2 Profit Yearly

The following graph shows the yearly profit, as forecasted by the company’s financial experts.

9.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

The following graph shows the monthly gross margin, as forecasted by the company’s financial experts.

9.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

The following graph shows the yearly gross margin, as forecasted by the company’s financial experts.

The following table shows detailed information about profit and loss, and total cost of sales.

9.4 Projected Cash Flow

The following column diagram shows the projected cash flow.

9.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The following table shows detailed data about pro forma cash flow, subtotal cash from operations, subtotal cash received, sub-total spent on operations, subtotal cash spent. The following projected balance sheet shows data about total current assets, total long-term assets, total assets, subtotal current liabilities, total liabilities, total capital, total liabilities and capital.

9.6 Business Ratios

The following table shows data about business ratios, ratio analysis, total assets, net worth.

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We have over 550 sample business plan templates . So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details.

Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

2. Remember it's just an example

Our sample business plans are examples of what one business owner did. That doesn't make them perfect or require you to cram your business idea to fit the plan structure.

Use the information, financials, and formatting for inspiration. It will speed up and guide the plan writing process.

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Blog Infographics Business Plan Infographic: Everything You Need to Know [Ideas, Templates & Examples]

Business Plan Infographic: Everything You Need to Know [Ideas, Templates & Examples]

Written by: Victoria Taylor May 13, 2021

Creating a business plan can seem daunting at first but it’s much easier than you think. Your challenge really begins when you want to create a business plan that stands out . Instead of sending over a 50-page document that bores your audience and hardly gets any point across, why not use a business plan infographic? 

Using infographics for writing a business plan allows you to visually illustrate your research, pitch, and business structure in an engaging and creative way. Business plan infographics can be used internally or externally with investors or partners who want a quick overview of what your business has to offer. 

In this article, you’re going to learn everything you need to create a business plan infographic that will wow your readers and showcase your business at its best. 

Not a designer? No problem. Use our professional, fully customizable templates and Infographic Maker to create an engaging infographic today.

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Want to learn more about other types of infographics? Read our blog on the 9 main types of infographics or watch the video below:

Click to jump ahead:

What is a business plan infographic, why use business plan infographics, create a goal for your business plan infographic, the best types of business plan infographics, what’s included in a business plan infographic, how to create a traditional business plan infographic, how to create a lean startup business plan infographic, business plan infographic examples, key design elements of a business plan infographic, how to get the most out of your business plan infographic.

• Business plan infographic FAQ

An infographic is a collection of imagery, charts, and minimal text that gives an easy-to-understand overview of a topic.

Being a type of business infographics , the  business plan infographic is a collection of text, images, charts and other data visualizations to give an overview of your business plan.

As it’s in the form of an infographic, business plan infographics are normally 1-page documents with visualized data, making them both engaging and easier to skim and scan.

These 1-page business plan infographics can be a reflection of your sales plan , marketing plan, business expansion plan or business stats that you’d like to share with your investors or employees.

Here is an example of a business plan infographic template that presents a 5-step guide to business continuity:

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Infographics easily allow you to present detailed information in an easy-to-read or simple format so that the viewer can quickly understand and process the information faster than if you had handed them a full-page report.

We live in a fast-paced world where not everyone wants to download a report, view a  business plan , or read an entire blog post to get the information they need. Infographics make the whole process a lot easier.

As most humans are visual learners , your business plan infographics will highlight only the essential and important information while being entertaining and eye-catching so readers stay focused.

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Using an infographic for a business plan also makes it easier for stakeholders to understand your ideas and increases the chance of a successful business pitch.

Business plan infographics are also a great way for you to educate investors, employees, or partners about the structure, purpose, and future of your business. It should accomplish three main goals:

• Clarify your project and steps towards growth
• Showcase an exceptional understanding of your financial needs
• Educate investors, bankers, and lenders

Your business plan infographic should have a specific purpose or, rather, a specific topic to avoid confusing readers. For example, does your business plan infographic focus on a specific aspect or educate the reader on your position in a niche market ?

It’s crucial to keep your business plan infographic’s objective to a singular focus.

For example, if you’d like to educate people about how your business helps to optimize email management tools , your business plan infographic should highlight research backing this statement. Stick to the objective and try not to divert to the history of email marketing or how to use emails for your website.

You should also use relevant data for your business plan infographic based on the topic it addresses.

Data storytelling is the best way to use data to create new knowledge, decisions or actions without overloading your infographic with unnecessary information.

Only focus on the data that matters the most to your readers or industry. But use it in an interesting and educational way that allows the reader to get sucked into your business infographic.

The aim is to cut down the fluff so that readers can consume as much essential information as possible without being bogged down by unwanted data.

There are two types of business plans you can consider using to model your business plan infographic. You can create a traditional or a lean startup business plan infographic. Bplans  states the difference between the two mainly has to do with the data that’s presented, as: 

A lean startup business plan infographic

This type of plan has a high-level focus, fast to write, and contains key elements only. Some lenders and investors may ask for more information. It’s best to use when presenting a high-level overview with only key information. Most one-page business plan infographics are in this format.

A traditional business plan infographic

This type of plan is very detailed, takes more time to write and is comprehensive. Lenders and investors commonly request this plan. It’s normally in the form of a presentation or a business proposal and includes several business plan infographics altogether.

What you want to include in your business plan infographic might differ depending on the type of business plans you want to create, and we’ll go into more detail on this later. However, there are some common sections that you should consider when gathering information for your business plan infographic. Those include:

• Company profile
• Products & services
• Business model
• Risk management

You want to either include only key information on each of these sections or really elaborate on them depending on the type of business plan infographic you want.

This simple business plan mind map summarizes what you should include in a business plan infographic:

CREATE THIS MIND MAP TEMPLATE

When you’re creating a traditional business plan infographic you need to ensure that you have the following features or data in your infographic based on your objective.

Executive summary

This section should show your reader what your company is all about and why it’s expected to be successful. This means to include your mission statement, values, product or service, company positions, and basic information that will be helpful to know.

Company description

Go in-depth about your company mainly focusing on the problems and solutions your business will provide for your industry, target audience, or niche. In this section, you’ll also have to list out your competitors and how you’ll follow suit on gaining the competitive advantages.

You can include this marketing business plan infographic as part of this section:

CREATE THIS REPORT TEMPLATE

Market analysis

In this section, you’ll show research to show what other businesses are doing and what their strengths are, this means finding trends, stats, reports, themes, and successful breakthroughs that should be considered for your own business and how you can improve upon them.

Related :  20+ Strategy Infographics for Business Planning, Marketing and Branding

Organization & management

Summarize your overall business and legal structure in this section to let investors or bankers know if you’re a C or an S corporation . Take the steps to start an LLC, however, it’s essential to understand the laws and regulations in your state, LLC fees and other aspects that most lawyers recommend. It would also be helpful to add an organizational chart to allow readers to visually see the company hierarchy.

Also, utilizing an LLC Operating Agreement Template can provide a comprehensive framework for defining ownership, management structure, and operational procedures within your limited liability company.

Related :  15+ Company Infographic Templates, Examples & Tips

Service or product

Take the time to give a good first impression about what exactly your service or product does. Showcase the product or service lifecycle with charts and share plans for legal steps surrounding your product or service like copyright or patent filings.

Related :  7 Ways to Show Product Value Using Infographics

Marketing & sales

Outline an overview of your launch marketing strategy and how it will evolve and grow over time to fit your goals and market needs.

Financial projection or Funding request

If you’re sharing this section with an investor then you should focus on convincing them that your business is financially stable to be invested in. This means sharing a prediction of income statements, break-even analysis, return-on-investment calculations, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for the coming 2-5 years of your business.

Related :  14+ Finance Infographics to Simplify Financial Information [Templates and Examples]

This  Coral Technology Pitch Deck  is a perfect example of a comprehensive traditional business plan agency infographic in the form of a presentation that can be used on PowerPoint or Google Slides:

CREATE THIS PRESENTATION TEMPLATE

A lean startup business plan is much “leaner” as the word suggests. This is also shorter than the traditional business plan. A lean startup business plan infographic includes: 

Key partnership

In this section state the other businesses or services that you’re working with to run your business’s operations. These could be key suppliers, manufacturers, subcontractors, and partners. 

Business activities & resources

List in detail how your business will acquire the upper hand in your industry. Highlight features such as selling directly to consumers or taking advantage of the sharing economy. Run down any assets you’ll use to make an incentive for your customers.

Value proposition

This is a statement that shows the reader what unique value your business offers to your target audience in your niche or industry. 

Customer relationships

Create a product or service flow of how consumers will interact with your business. Will this personalized, automated, or specialized based on their needs. You should also list the channels you’ll be using to reach, maintain or optimize for your customers over time.

Customer segments

Describe who your ideal customers are in detail. List out who or where your target market will be and how your business will service and connect with them. 

Cost structure

This section is similar to the financial projections segment in a traditional business plan, but this also includes how your company will reduce cost or maximize value as you balance significant costs that may challenge your startup. 

Revenue streams

Use this section to explain how your startup will become profitable over time and will be used such as membership fees, subscription payments, selling ad space, and obtaining retainer contracts.

This  Financial Company Business Fact Sheet  is a good example of a lean startup business plan infographic as it gives an overview of the business with key figures only:

Let’s take a look at some more business plan infographic templates and examples.

Free business plan infographic template

This Light Company Business Fact Sheet is a good example of a free business plan infographic template that belongs to the lean startup type.

Marketing business plan infographic

On a different note, this  Yellow Marketing Business Plan  leans towards the traditional type, being in the form of a comprehensive marketing business proposal that contains multiple infographics.

Real estate commercial business plan infographic

The information in this real estate business plan infographic is broken down in the form of a presentation, making it easy to use in business pitches.

There are three main aspects of a business infographic: visual elements, content elements and data or facts used.

As simple as an infographic may look, putting all three of these elements successfully together can be the difference between good infographics and a cluttered and confusing infographic. 

Since we already covered data, let’s dive into the visual and content elements of your infographic. 

1. Choose an ideal infographic layout

Infographics come with multiple layout options. Layouts help you to decide how you want to share your story or data with the reader. Layouts also guide your designs and colors. Most layouts are recognized by columns or sections, as shown below:

If you’re not someone whose every design is savvy, you don’t need to memorize all these layouts instead, just remember these three main infographic layouts: stacked , comparison , and chronological . For more information, read our blog on how to choose the right infographic layout .

2. Select captivating colors for your infographic

Other than usingy our brand colors, you always want to keep in mind who your audiences are, what action you want them to take and how colors can affect that.

If you need help picking the right colors for your business plan infographic here are two guides that are sure to help you: 

• How to Pick Colors to Captivate Readers and Communicate Effectively
• The Do’s And Don’ts of Infographic Color Selection

Or you can watch this short video on color relationship and how that affects your design:

3. Choose the best content elements

Content elements represent the icons or charts you’ll be using to represent your data. Instead of simply dropping numbers and stats you want to give readers a visualization of what the data means and how it’s transitioned through your topic.

For example, if you want to represent the difference between the growing number of brands going wholesale vs retail, you could use a stacked bar chart to compare the two industries.

If you’re not sure about how to select the best chart for your data when you’re putting the final touches on your infographic design, check out our guide on selecting the right charts for your data , or watch the short video below:

The real work starts once you’ve created your business plan infographic. You’ll now need to effectively showcase or share your infographic in a way that allows you to get the most out of it.

If you’re using your business plan infographic for internal purposes then consider: 

• Adding it to your onboarding documents 
• Using it for presentations 
• Sharing it with new or current investors  for specific projects 
• Showing team roles and hierarchy 

Business plan infographics can also be used for external purposes to pitch to potential investors or new clients. They’re normally in presentation or proposal form, as we can see from some of the examples above.

Another thing to consider is to make your infographic mobile-friendly. Not all investors or partners look at documents from a business from a desktop. Having a well-optimized infographic allows the reader to get the full experience from your business plan infographic regardless of what device they may be viewing it on.

Business plan infographic FAQ

1. why should i create a business plan infographic.

A business plan infographic with data visualizations and concise, key information allows stakeholders to take a quick look at the current state the company is in and understand right away. This improves the success rates of your business pitches, whether they’re for investors, clients or senior management.

2. How do I make my business plan infographic look professional?

Make sure you keep in mind your brand guidelines while creating your business plan infographic to ensure consistency and professionalism in all comunications materials. You can also customize one of ours ready-to-use infographics which are designed to be used for businesses.

3. How do I create a business plan infographic?

Start by registering for a free account for Venngage’s Infographic Maker . You can then choose from our wide variety of business plan infographic templates that you can create using our easy-to-use editor, no design skills needed.

In summary: Business plan infographics are great to use for both internal and external purposes

Consider using business plan infographics whenever you need to deliver a sales plan presentation, pitch a new project or present your services to new clients.

Venngage has hundreds of business plan infographic templates you can use to create your business plan infographic with no coding or design experience required.

Need to make an infographic? Start creating in seconds with our professional templates and simple online editor.

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How to Start a Graphic Design Business

Starting a graphic design business can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful graphic design business.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a graphic design business is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Graphic Design Business :

• Choose the Name for Your Graphic Design Business
• Develop Your Graphic Design Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Graphic Design Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Graphic Design Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Graphic Design Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Graphic Design Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Graphic Design Business Equipment
• Develop Your Graphic Design Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Graphic Design Business
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Graphic Design Business

The first step to starting a graphic design business is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your own graphic design business:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your graphic design business.

2. Develop Your Graphic Design Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a graphic design business is to develop your graphic design business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your own business.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your graphic design business and what type of graphic design business you operate. For example, are you a freelance graphic designer, in-house designer, or a graphic design studio?
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the graphic design industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target customers are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing services like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your graphic design business? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your graphic design business make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

3. choose the legal structure for your graphic design business.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your graphic design business and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the business owner and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small business owners. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a graphic design business together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a graphic design business include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a graphic design business is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your own business, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

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4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Graphic Design Business (If Needed)

In developing your graphic design business plan , you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a graphic design business to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a graphic design business that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

The first thing to consider when looking for a location for your graphic design business is your target market. You’ll want to find a location that is accessible and convenient for your customers. Additionally, you should consider the cost of rent and other business expenses when choosing a location. It’s important to secure a site that is affordable. 

6. Register Your Graphic Design Business with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your graphic design business’ name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your graphic design business to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

The licenses and permits you need to start a graphic design business will vary depending on your location. However, some of the most common licenses and permits you may need include a business license, a trade name registration, and a zoning permit.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Graphic Design Business

There are a few different types of insurance you will need to operate a graphic design business.

Some business insurance policies you should consider for your graphic design business include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
• Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.
• Commercial property insurance : This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
• Business interruption insurance : This covers lost income and expenses if your business is forced to close due to a covered event.
• Professional liability insurance : This protects your business against claims of professional negligence.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs. 

11. Buy or Lease the Right Graphic Design Business Equipment

To start a graphic design business, you will need some basic equipment. This includes a computer, software, printer, and scanner. You may also want to invest in a graphics tablet to help with your design work.

12. Develop Your Graphic Design Business Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your graphic design business.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your graphic design business. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
• Website : Likewise, a professional graphic design business website provides prospective clients with information about the services you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media platforms will help customers and others find and interact with your graphic design business.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Graphic Design Business

To start a graphic design business, you will need design software. You may also need software for designing websites, creating logos and illustrations, and editing videos. 

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your graphic design business. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.

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How to Start a Graphic Design Business FAQs

Where can i download a graphic design business plan pdf.

You can download our graphic design business plan PDF  here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

How much does it cost to start a graphic design business?

To start a graphic design business, it will cost approximately $5,000. This includes setting up a basic website and purchasing necessary software. You will also need to factor in the cost of marketing and advertising your new business.

Is it hard to start a graphic design business?

No, it is not hard to start a graphic design business if you have the skills and motivation to get started. There are online resources and tools that can help you learn how to start and grow your business. Additionally, there are a number of online marketplaces where you can sell your designs.

How can I start a graphic design business with no experience?

There are a few ways to start a graphic design business with no experience. One way is to find a mentor to guide you through the process. Another way is to take some online courses or read some books about graphic design. You could also try volunteering for a graphic design company to get some experience.

What type of graphic design business is most profitable?

The type of graphic design business that is most profitable specializes in creating logos and brand identities. This is because there is a high demand for logo and brand design services, and businesses are willing to pay a premium for high-quality work.

What are the ongoing expenses for a graphic design business?

The ongoing expenses for a graphic design business can vary depending on the size of the business and the services offered. Some common expenses include marketing and advertising, website maintenance, software and hardware upgrades, and employee salaries.

How does a graphic design business make money?

A graphic design business usually makes money by charging a fee for services. A freelance graphic design business may also make money by selling products such as fonts, templates, or other design-related items. A graphic design business may also earn revenue through advertising or affiliate marketing.

Is owning a graphic design business profitable?

Yes, owning a graphic design business can be profitable. Graphic designers are in high demand, as businesses increasingly rely on visuals to communicate their messages. In addition, freelance graphic designers often have the flexibility to work from home, which can save on overhead costs. Furthermore, there is a growing trend of businesses outsourcing their graphic design needs, which can provide a steady stream of work for a graphic design business.

Why do graphic design businesses fail?

One of the main reasons graphic design companies fail is because they do not have a clear business plan or strategy. To be successful, you need to have a plan for how you will market your business, find graphic design clients, and keep your existing clients happy. You also need to be realistic about how much revenue you can generate and how much you can afford to spend on marketing and overhead.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
• Get started in seconds

In the fast-paced world of graphic design, standing out from the competition is essential. But how do you create a clear path to success in such a creative and dynamic industry? That's where ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers comes in handy!

With our ready-made template, freelance graphic designers and design agencies can:

• Define their business goals and objectives to stay focused and motivated
• Develop effective strategies for attracting and retaining clients
• Create detailed financial projections to ensure profitability
• Craft targeted marketing plans to reach a wider audience

Whether you're a seasoned designer looking to level up your business or a new agency aiming to make a splash, our Business Plan Template will help you navigate the design world with confidence. Start planning your success today!

Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers Benefits

A business plan template for graphic designers is an essential tool for success in the competitive design industry. Here are some benefits of using this template:

• Provides a clear roadmap for achieving business goals and objectives
• Helps identify target clients and develop effective marketing strategies
• Enables accurate financial projections and budgeting for optimal resource allocation
• Guides the development of a compelling brand identity and unique selling proposition
• Facilitates effective communication with clients and stakeholders
• Ensures a professional and organized approach to running a graphic design business.

Main Elements of Graphic Designers Business Plan Template

ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers is the perfect tool to help freelance graphic designers or graphic design agencies stay organized and focused on their business goals. Here are the main elements of this template:

Custom Statuses: Keep track of your progress with statuses such as Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do, allowing you to easily see which tasks need your attention and which are already completed.

Custom Fields: Utilize custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to add important information to each task, such as reference materials or approval status, ensuring all necessary details are easily accessible within the template.

Custom Views: Access five different views, including Topics, Status, Timeline, Business Plan, and Getting Started Guide, to visualize your business plan from different perspectives. Whether you want to focus on specific topics, track task statuses, or view a timeline of your plan, ClickUp has you covered.

Project Management: Take advantage of ClickUp's project management features, such as task dependencies, time tracking, and collaboration tools, to ensure efficient workflow and successful execution of your business plan.

With ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers, you can streamline your planning process and achieve your business goals with ease.

How To Use Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers

If you're a graphic designer looking to create a solid business plan, you're in the right place. By using the Business Plan Template in ClickUp and following the steps outlined below, you'll be well on your way to establishing a successful graphic design business.

1. Define your vision and mission

Start by clearly defining the vision and mission of your graphic design business. What do you hope to achieve? Who is your target audience? Having a clear vision and mission statement will guide your business decisions and help you stay focused on your goals.

Use a Doc in ClickUp to brainstorm and articulate your vision and mission.

2. Identify your target market

Next, identify your target market. Who are the clients you want to work with? What industries do you specialize in? Understanding your target market will help you tailor your services and marketing efforts to attract the right clients.

Create tasks in ClickUp to research and identify your target market segments.

3. Define your services and pricing

Outline the services you offer as a graphic designer and determine your pricing structure. Be sure to consider factors such as your level of expertise, the complexity of the project, and the value you provide to clients. Setting clear and competitive pricing will help you attract clients and ensure you're compensated fairly for your work.

Create custom fields in ClickUp to track your services and pricing options.

4. Develop a marketing strategy

To attract clients and grow your graphic design business, you'll need an effective marketing strategy. Consider tactics such as creating a portfolio website, leveraging social media platforms, attending industry events, and networking with potential clients. Determine which marketing channels are most relevant to your target market and develop a plan to reach them.

Use the Calendar view in ClickUp to schedule and track your marketing activities.

5. Establish financial goals and projections

Setting financial goals and projections is crucial for the success of your business. Determine how much revenue you want to generate, as well as your desired profit margin. Consider factors such as operating expenses, taxes, and any investments you'll need to make in equipment or software. Creating a financial plan will help you stay on track and make informed business decisions.

Use Dashboards in ClickUp to monitor your financial goals and track your progress.

6. Monitor and adjust

Once your business plan is in place, it's important to regularly monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed. Keep an eye on your financial performance, marketing efforts, and client feedback. If something isn't working, don't be afraid to pivot and try a new approach. Remember, flexibility is key to building a successful graphic design business.

Set recurring tasks in ClickUp to regularly review and update your business plan based on your evolving needs and goals.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers

Graphic designers can use the Business Plan Template in ClickUp to create a comprehensive and organized roadmap for their design business.

First, hit "Add Template" to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a successful graphic design business:

• Use the Topics View to outline and organize different sections of your business plan, such as goals, target audience, services, and marketing strategies.
• The Status View will help you track the progress of each section of your business plan, with statuses like Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do.
• The Timeline View will allow you to set deadlines and visualize the timeline for completing different aspects of your business plan.
• The Business Plan View provides an overview of your entire business plan, allowing you to easily navigate and access each section.
• The Getting Started Guide View offers step-by-step instructions and tips to help you fill out each section of your business plan.
• Utilize the custom fields, such as Reference, Approved, and Section, to add additional information and categorize different elements of your business plan.
• Update statuses and custom fields as you make progress and receive feedback on your business plan.
• Monitor and analyze your business plan to ensure it aligns with your goals and objectives.
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How to Start a Graphic Design Business in 10 Steps

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1. Find your first graphic design clients

2. set your pricing, 3. name your graphic design business, 4. build a basic website, 5. develop a simple business plan, 6. communicate with your clients, 7. deliver high-quality projects on-time, 8. write and send professional invoices, 9. collect payments from your design clients, 10. ask for referrals, repeat steps 5-10 regularly in order to grow.

Starting a graphic design business can be an exhilarating and exciting adventure whether you’re hoping to work for yourself full-time or just make a little extra money from an on-the-side design business.

And it’s pretty straightforward too if you’re willing to put in the work.

I’ve coached thousands of graphic designers over the last 10+ years through this blog , our podcast , and our mastermind group . So in this article, I’ll take everything I’ve learned after a decade of coaching to help you know exactly what to do to start a graphic design business . I’ve broken the process into 10 steps, which you’ll find below.

• Always start with finding clients—never anything else.
• Develop a solid business plan that includes your pricing structure, marketing strategy, and financial projections.
• Build a strong online presence and create a professional portfolio that showcases your skills and expertise.
• Establish relationships with other designers, freelancers, and industry professionals to build a strong network and generate referrals.
• Focus on providing exceptional customer service and building positive relationships with clients to ensure repeat business and ongoing success.

You might find it surprising, but my first step is to secure design clients.

What about crafting your portfolio, deciding on a business name, or obtaining a business license, you might ask?

Indeed, these elements are crucial.

However, I’ve observed many designers get lost in these preliminary tasks and burn out before they even engage with potential clients. Initiating a graphic design venture can become daunting if you start with the minutiae of business operations.

Therefore, we’ll kick off your design business on a positive note by securing your initial design clients. Once you have a few clients ready to compensate you for your work, you’ll be amazed at the surge of excitement, energy, and drive within you.

With this newfound momentum, you’ll find yourself well-equipped to address the remaining tasks.

Therefore, goal #1: find graphic design clients .

Where do you find graphic design clients?

If you’re a beginner at small business, you might be asking yourself: Where can I even begin to find my first design clients?

Lucky for you, finding graphic design clients has literally never been easier. There are hundreds of freelance job sites around the web to help you find exactly the kinds of clients you’re looking for.

For example, sites like Fiverr offer a huge marketplace of entry-level clients that can get you started when learning how to start a graphic design business. These most likely aren’t the kinds of clients you want to work with forever (although some may be), but they’re a great way to get some experience, a few portfolio pieces, some cash, and some confidence.

You can also find some nice entry-level work on sites like Upwork . Upwork is one of the most popular freelance marketplaces in the world and you’ll find access to thousands of graphic design jobs there.

To take action: here are 2 of our favorite sites to find design clients fast:

SolidGigs’ team of fellow freelancers combs through thousands of freelance job boards every weekday and posts the very best leads to your custom inbox.

You can learn more about SolidGigs here .

Next up is the largest freelance services marketplace in the world (at least I think it is). It’s called Upwork and lots of freelancers have built their own six-figure businesses on the back of this powerful platform, including this guy .

In the beginning, don’t be too picky

When you’re in the early stages, you might encounter seasoned freelancers and “experts” advising you to be choosy about your clientele.

They can afford such selectiveness, can’t they? After all, they’ve been at the helm of their small businesses for years, with client acquisition now a routine matter for them.

But you? You’re in immediate need of graphic design clients.

In the beginning, it’s wise to accept any reasonable graphic design work at a fair price. The potential of these initial projects is often underestimated.

At the very least, they’ll furnish you with confidence, experience, and valuable additions to your portfolio. In the best-case scenario, they might evolve into enduring, profitable business connections or serve as gateways to additional clientele.

Your client roster can be refined over time. However, for now, avoid being overly selective to the point where your graphic design venture never takes flight. This very trap has led to the downfall of many aspiring designers.

Now, let’s dive into the topic of your pricing structure.

Are you thinking of billing your clients on an hourly basis, per project, or according to the value you provide?

For those just beginning, hourly rates are straightforward and quite prevalent, but you might consider other pricing strategies as you gain more ground.

Figuring out what to charge graphic design clients

Deciding on your rates can be daunting. To assist, we’ve developed a complimentary calculator to help pinpoint your ideal charge.

But let’s be real—if you’re at a complete loss about your rates, just pick a starting point. Should a prospect hesitate at your quote, you might adjust downward slightly. Conversely, if there’s no negotiation from the client’s side, consider increasing your rate for the next project.

You’ll eventually find a sweet spot for your pricing. Make it a habit to reassess your rates regularly. You might be surprised at how much you can command as you progress.

With a few clients under your belt and the confidence for the long journey ahead, it’s time to establish the foundation of your solid small business, beginning with a thoughtfully chosen business name.

Deciding between using your own name or creating a business name

A common initial query for anyone starting in graphic design might be:

“Should I use my own name, or should I craft a unique business name?”

The straightforward answer is: it’s not overly critical. Choose something that resonates with you. Remember, you can always opt for a change down the line.

Delving deeper, the decision warrants some consideration.

While my suggestion is to select a name and forge ahead (bearing in mind that changes are feasible, albeit not ideal, but certainly manageable), the process of choosing your graphic design business’s name might necessitate more deliberation.

The name you settle on can influence various aspects of your design business, such as:

• Your potential to command higher rates for your design work.
• The ease with which people recall your brand.
• The type of design projects you’ll attract, including the industry, quality, and magnitude.
• The likelihood of being recommended by others.
• Your legal ability to operate without violating copyright or trademark laws.
• And much more…

My top advice for naming your graphic design business

To keep the process straightforward, here’s my prime piece of advice for naming:

Prioritize simplicity: ensure it’s easy to pronounce, remember, and spell

It’s tempting to get overly intricate, witty, or inventive with your design business’s name. Instead, aim for simplicity. Your business name should be easily articulated, spelled, and recalled by potential clients.

Make sure it’s available on the web

Before you fall in love with any name too much, you should check its availability around the web. Are the social media channels you hope to use (if any) available? Is there a domain that works well for your design company name?

In order to keep your ideas safe from domain squatters use something like Bluehost or Dreamhost  to check domain availability without risking it being parked or squatted.

Ensure you personally love it & it speaks to the vision of your company

While I really don’t want you to get paralyzed by the task of choosing a domain name (see the next point) it’s also critical that you feel good about your name and it speaks to the vision of your graphic design business.

You’re going to have to say the name of your business a lot. You’ll have to type it. You’ll have to speak it out loud. And if you feel silly about it or have to explain the context or feel the need to pronounce it for people, that’s going to get old really fast.

Don’t get paralyzed by decision

The biggest error I see people make in this regard is getting stuck on all the possible graphic design business names that are available.

The ultimate enemy here is indecision. Because while this is an important decision for your business, getting back to the revenue-driving decisions is far more critical at this stage.

For more help, you can also download my business-naming workbook which will walk you through an easy-to-follow process for naming your design business successfully.

The next step is to build a basic website. I say basic because, just like naming your design business, it’s easy to get stuck or paralyzed by the seemingly overwhelming task of building your website. That’s why you can use an AI website generator to speed up the process of designing a website but if not you can use other tools.

Lucky for you, there are loads of very easy-to-use and affordable website builders to build your first portfolio website .

My top beginner website builder recommendations

Here are my personal top picks. None of them requires you to learn to code and they’re all affordable.

• Wix is an easy-to-use website builder with hundreds of beautifully designed templates to choose from—all with drag-and-drop functionality. They’ve even got quite a few portfolio-centric options to get you started.
• WordPress may require a little bit more technical know-how (still no coding required) but it definitely gives you more flexibility in the long run. And because it continues to be the most-used website builder on the Internet, there are millions of tutorials to help you if you get stuck.
• Pixpa is designed specifically for creatives and includes cool add-ons like a client-proofing area or a simple gallery feature.

The “minimum viable” portfolio site

For years, I have preached the importance of what I call a minimum viable portfolio .

As a designer you care very much about how things look, making it far too easy to overdo things, keep adding more and more, editing, adjusting tweaking.

Which often leads to never publishing your portfolio. Which means no clients. And no graphic design business.

The better path (the one I hope you’ll take) is to aim for a “minimum-viable” portfolio.

The term “minimum-viable” answers the question “what is the least I can do to prove my portfolio can generate sales?”

Then start with that. It doesn’t mean, as you grow your business you can’t revisit your site and optimize it for getting more clients ? You can. And you should.

For now, your mission is to learn how to start a graphic design business and get it off the ground. All the fancy stuff can come later once you have revenue coming in.

Once you’ve got a few clients in the door, you’ve named your business, and you’ve got a minimum-viable portfolio site, you can finally start thinking more strategically about how to start a graphic design business the right way.

In my experience, the best next step is to develop a business plan .

Why isn’t that the first step on the list? Because I didn’t want you to get stuck forever in the “planning” stage only to never actually make it to the executing stage. Far too many design businesses (and businesses of all kinds) get lost in the planning stage and never see the light of day.

But not your design business. No. You are going to be different.

You only need a very basic business plan. In fact, it doesn’t need to be more than one page long. You can follow our freelance business plan template here and fill it out in less than 30 minutes.

For an even shorter business plan, grab a piece of paper or a computer and answer the following questions:

• What services will my design business provide?
• Who is the ideal client for my graphic design business?
• How much will my design business charge for the work I do?
• What are your monthly design business revenue goals?
• How many clients do I need each month to hit my revenue goals?
• Where/how will I find new design clients? Or how will I retain current design clients?

Answering these and similar questions will help you maintain traction and gain momentum when getting started.

One thing you’d find out extremely quickly is you have to wear a lot of different hats. Not only are you a graphic designer, but you’re also the bookkeeper, the marketing manager, and the account manager.

Communicating regularly and effectively with your clients is an absolute must. Luckily, you can interact with them in various ways; some examples are phone calls, emails, direct messaging on social media, and webinars.

Make your lines of communication open to nurture leads and clients. You can set up a toll-free number or a business email to make your graphic design business look more professional to prospects. Remember that addressing client concerns outright with a positive approach is key to good customer service.

If you want to exercise good communication, keep in mind that the clients are the people who keep your business afloat. The freelance designers who I see succeed the fastest are the ones that realize their clients aren’t some burden they have to deal with, but an essential and wonderful part of their graphic design business.

If you find yourself overwhelmed with all the client communication, try using a CRM tool to keep track of all client interactions.

If being unprofessional in your communication methods doesn’t kill your business, then failing to deliver on your promises will.

This is another huge fail-point for many designers because they mistakenly think the hardest work is finding design clients when in reality, it can often be more difficult to manage multiple projects and always deliver on time.

Project management tools can help you manage your projects and tasks, keeping you on track and ensuring you give your design clients a positive experience every time.

This can be especially important in the early days of your graphic design business since a few bad reviews or bad word-of-mouth reports around your local city could signify a real setback for you.

Once you’ve delivered your work to your clients and you’re ready to get paid , you’ll want to create and send a professional invoice.

The most basic option is to just write an invoice in Google Docs, Word, or InDesign and send it over via email. But I recommend eventually using a professional invoice tool —where you can create and send invoices quickly and efficiently.

Plus, using tools like these mean your clients can pay directly from the invoice when they open it on their computer. And, if after a while, your client forgets to pay the invoice, many of these apps will remind them for you automatically.

When you’re first learning how to start a graphic design business, the idea of doing work you love every day can be exhilarating.

In fact, depending on how much you hate your day job , you might be hoping this business can be an escape from your cubicle into work you actually care about. But if you get so caught up in the day-to-day creative work that you forget to manage your business properly, you won’t be in business for long.

Indeed, a business that doesn’t generate income essentially remains a hobby, underlining the paramount importance of securing payments.

Easing the Awkwardness of Payment Collection

Requesting payment can feel uncomfortable, particularly for those new to the business world. To mitigate this discomfort, consider two straightforward strategies:

1. Normalize the Payment

It’s essential to recognize that exchanging money for services rendered is a standard business practice, occurring daily across various industries. Launching a graphic design venture is no exception.

Your clients routinely pay for services, whether it’s shipping costs with FedEx, electrical repairs, or even the weekly office donuts. It’s all part of conducting business. By treating payment collection as a routine aspect of your operations, you’ll help normalize the process for both parties.

2. Simplify the Payment Process for Clients

Difficulty in receiving payments might indicate a cumbersome payment process for your clients. Given that people often juggle busy schedules or may procrastinate, simplifying the payment process can significantly benefit both you and your clients.

Employing an online payment tool that facilitates direct bank transfers can streamline transactions. As your business evolves, you might consider setting up recurring invoices or securely storing client credit card details for seamless future payments.

With more experience, you could even prioritize payment collection by requiring it before delivering the final product. This approach can prevent protracted disputes or the hassle of pursuing overdue payments, though it’s advisable to adopt this practice once your business is more established.

No matter how many times I ask business owners what the most common way of getting new business is, I always get the same response:

Word of mouth .

Asking your graphic design clients for referrals can be a really great way to establish yourself. If you’re not sure where to get started, you can download our referral-generating email template .

But asking for referrals for your graphic design business shouldn’t be awkward or difficult. In fact, with a lot of practice you might even get good enough to ask for referrals throughout your process without ever blatantly begging for them .

Remember, part of the challenge of learning how to start a design business is ensuring you have continuous design work every month (not just this month) and referrals are a fantastic way to keep the client pool full.

This brings me to my last (unofficial) step in this process:

If you want your graphic design business to grow, you’ll need to constantly be making adjustments to your pricing, your client communications processes, your invoicing habits, and lots more.

That’s the fun of building a small business.

It’s like any great design project: it takes a lot of brainstorming, tweaking, adjusting, and refining. It’s a lot of hard work.

But you can do it. I know you can. And we’re here to help. Subscribe to our newsletter and join our FB mastermind group for added support and we’ll help you wherever we can along the way.

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Freelancing Growth

Written by Preston Lee

Editor at millo.co.

Preston Lee is the founder of Millo where he and his team have been helping freelancers thrive for over a decade. His advice has been featured by Entrepreneur , Inc , Forbes , Adobe, and many more.

Preston's Articles

Reviewed & edited by Adam Wright , at Millo.

At Millo, we strive to publish only the best, most trustworthy and reliable content for freelancers. You can learn more by reviewing our editorial policy .

Comments from the community

This is a very helpful article. It covers all the questions and doubts every beginner has.

Great Guide Greer!

Starting a new business …it’s not an easy task but you have written what exactly required to start a design business.

All these things are matter but the main thing is to know how the successful business owners like to shape the plans. We should check their footprints and follow –up them.

I think the best business plan is your words….

Keep up the awesome work!!!

Great and helpful blog to everyone. Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing article.

I’ve started freelancing a few months ago and a lot of what you wrote resonates with me. Especially the bit about finding good clients that you work well with.

I was also curious about how you get briefs from your clients. Do you have a template you get them to fill out or do you work with what they give you? I have recently found myself doing a lot of extra work which I feel is not on the initial brief but some how my client feels it is. It’s especially around brand ID stuff. Dose anyone find this difficult as well? Do you have any tips how I can ease my pain? Especially when there are multiple stakeholders in place who all feel like they require sign off, on every aspect of things.

Thanks for this, also i really appreciate those tools you recommended

thank you so much ,it helped me!

Very helpful .Thanks for sharing ☺

Hello April, I found this article very helpful! My question for you is what assets if any should I look forward into investing in, for example should I invest in some sort of printing machine, certain computer programs, scanners, etc.

Fantastic resource!

Structuring your business for taxes

When was this article published?

Great article! I really enjoy read each of sections. I only did a few of these aspects for my business, and i think i would add these steps to my business.

This was extremely helpful. Starting your own business is a daunting task and by breaking it down for viewers in such an organized and insightful manner is inspiring and palatable. I feel so inspired and motivated to begin.

i am totally agree with your all point. For me, one of the hard work is finding a reliable client for design business. I am enthusiast to follow your guidelines. Hope it will working for me to find few more client.

this article is very useful and have inspired me. thanks!

I wish everyone read this post before they startup.

How to make a proper portfolio for design and web firm. It would be great if you can send me some samples/

Very useful article thanks

Thank you for this great article, I like it, it’s very practical.

Great article

To tell about Web Design like producing a two Web pages can be skilled by just about anyone, but to build a self-sustaining work one needs the right tools, planning,training and experience. http://goo.gl/fsRNBT

Some great advice here. I have recently started my own Graphic and Design and Illustration business at http://nylelevi.com.com

Please take a look if you are interested in seeing what I do. You may even pick up some tips on how to present yourself online if you are planning to start your own business soon.

5 star on this one. copy/paste to clip board 😉

good ideas when you have enough capital

Great tips.. They can be applied not only to design business but to other kinds of businesses too.

I want to start my own business doing design

me too. Hope its moving forward for you. Reading this article and comments on my 9 to 5 London commute has made me think hard about next steps. I’d love to set my self up, just need to take the plunge i guess with lots of positive affirmations, 🙂

I started http://2cooldesign.co.za in 2005 and have never looked back, I’m always looking for more work. Want to be inspired, come see my awesome portfolio, Recommend me to your friends, please & thank you for taking a look ! All the best Guy Tasker creator of 2cooldesign.co.za Awesome Graphic design company based in South Africa. Online based Business, I work from home 🙂

Excellent article. Starting any business can be difficult, but if your passionate about what you want to achieve, it’s possible. It’s also advisable to participate in forums , you can learn and network with other professionals within the industry.

I fully agree with Mel on the emphasis upon work and letting it speak for itself. Also, as Kristine puts it, referrals are an essential customer-base but winning them requires a happy client network that will spread your word. Alongside putting up a team of incentive-driven, passionate & like-minded people, is something that greatly helps in the long run. They bring ideas, networks, energy and add a lot of support. Five year vision, six monthly targets, professional advisers, masters of business administration, etc. are sure-shot recipe, I feel, to bog down budding entrepreneurs, but become necessary when external opinions (investors, shareholders etc.) are unavoidable.

Hmmm… Great info!

On a side note, as I have learned from several business owners, clients are important, and so is marketing, but if you are good at what you do you really don’t have to spend as much time and cash on advertising as you think. Referrals help, but can and does give your client the impression you are looking to expand or take the focus away from them. It just needs to be tastefully done.

I’m thinking an infographic on the best ways to ask for a referral??

Otherwise this content is good. It seems a little heavy, as far as getting exposure etc, and simply to make money, but in my experience I’d rather focus on the work then what I’m trying to achieve financially (at least this is how it comes across) because if you’re good at what you do money will come 🙂

From my own experience, for a business the most important thing is Clients and Cash. Enough Cash at hand to keep rolling till Clients start filling in Cash and repeat. While most of your points address the Client angle, none of the points actual talk about Cash, for a new startup business keep the Cash register ringing is equally important 🙂

Great post, John! I would add that, along with the business plan, one should write a marketing plan. This plan should outline how the business owner will make the business plan a reality, from strategizing what to sell and when, to networking and proper utilization of social media. Without this supporting document, even the best business plan is just words.

Ah, #10! Can’t say enough about it….

I’m a believer in preframing for referrals. Each time I land a new account, I say to the Client, “I’m going to make you very happy. Your business will shine, you’ll feel like a rock star, and you will thrilled with the result. And when that happens, would you mind if I asked you to refer your colleagues/associates to me?” Of course, the response is always “I’d be happy to refer you – IF you impress me first!” Once the project is complete, I say to the Client “Remember when I asked you if you wouldn’t mind referring your colleagues/associates to me? What do you think, are you confident enough in my ability to send your friends or family my way?”

It’s a lot easier to ask for a referral when you’ve preframed your Client for it from the start. 95% of my work now is by referral/word of mouth, and I believe this is the reason. I rarely get a new client any other way anymore.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Graphic Design Business

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Schedule a FREE consultation with a formation and compliance expert today 📞

Graphic design is an ever-growing industry, with businesses of all sizes recognizing the importance of visually appealing branding and marketing materials. This has created a high demand for skilled graphic designers, making it an attractive career path for creative individuals.

However, with the growing competition and saturation in the market, you need a competitive edge to succeed in this field.

So, if you are a talented graphic designer ready to take the leap to entrepreneurship, look no further!

In this ultimate step-by-step guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to launch your business as a freelancer or a Limited Liability Company (LLC). We’ve got you covered, from setting up your legal structure to marketing your services. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Create a Business Plan

A business plan is essential in launching a business with minimum investment . It serves as a guide for the start-up phase and provides direction for future growth and expansion. It should include business goals, strategies, and financial projections.

It acts as a roadmap for your business, providing direction and clarity on how you will start, manage, and grow your company.

1. Define Your Business

The first step in creating a business plan is clearly defining what your graphic design business will offer. This includes identifying your target market, the services you will provide, and what makes your business unique from competitors.

Having a clear understanding of your niche will help guide other decisions in the planning process.

2. Establish Your Goals

Next, set realistic short-term and long-term goals for your business. These should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

For example: “Increase client base by 20% within the first year” or “Launch an online portfolio within 6 months.” Setting clear goals will give you something to work towards and help track progress.

3. Conduct Market Research

Market research is essential in understanding the industry’s current state and identifying potential growth opportunities, like side hustles for graphic designers .

To better understand potential clients’ needs, analyze market trends, analyze competition’s strengths and weaknesses, and gather insights from potential clients.

4. Develop Your Branding Strategy

Your branding strategy encompasses everything from logo design to marketing materials to customer experience.

It should align with your target audience’s preferences while representing your offering’s values.

5. Create Financial Projections

One key component of any successful business plan is financial projections.

This involves estimating costs such as startup expenses (e.g., equipment purchases), operational costs (e.g., rent), projected revenue based on pricing strategies, and expected sales volume over time.

6. Outline Management Structure

Outline who will be responsible for various aspects of your business, including management roles, team structure, and chain of command. This will help clarify responsibilities and ensure efficient decision-making.

7. Develop a Marketing Plan

Your marketing plan should outline how to reach your target audience and promote your business. This can include advertising strategies such as social media, networking events, or collaborations with other businesses.

Step 2: Defining Your Services and Pricing

The next thing you need to do is clearly define the services you will offer as a graphic designer. This can include logo design, branding, website design, print materials, social media graphics, and more.

It’s important to clearly understand these services so potential clients know exactly what they can expect from working with you.

Once you have defined your services, it’s time to determine your pricing structure. This can be challenging for many new business owners, but you can research the market rates on popular websites listing side hustles for creative artists .

You want to ensure that your prices are competitive and fair compared to those of other businesses offering similar services.

Next, consider the value of your time and expertise. As a professional graphic designer, you have acquired specialized skills and knowledge that are valuable assets in this industry. Don’t undervalue yourself or your work – set prices that reflect the quality and value of your services.

It’s also important to factor in any overhead costs associated with running your business, such as software subscriptions, marketing expenses, or office supplies.

These costs should be incorporated into your pricing strategy to cover them while still making a profit. However, your pricing should not only cover your expenses and time but also leave room for profit so that you can continue to invest in your business’s growth and development.

Step 3: Setting Financial Goals and Projections

Launching your own business, LLC, as a graphic designer can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor. The first step in this process is to establish your overall financial goals for your business.

This includes determining how much profit you want to make, how much you need to cover expenses, and what income level you want to achieve. When setting these goals, it’s important to consider factors such as growth potential, market trends, and competition.

• Start-up Costs: This includes all initial expenses such as equipment purchases, office space rental fees (if applicable), legal fees for registering your LLC entity, and any other costs associated with starting up your business.
• Overhead Costs: These are ongoing expenses such as rent (if applicable), utility bills (electricity/heat/water/internet), insurance premiums, etc.
• Revenue Streams: Consider all potential sources of income, including design services (e.g., logo design projects), product sales (e.g., digital design templates), affiliate marketing, and any other ways you plan to generate revenue.
• Sales Projections: Use market research to estimate how many clients or customers you can expect to have in a given period and how much they are likely to spend on your services/products.

Once you have established your long-term financial goals, it’s time to break them into more manageable short-term ones to keep you motivated while working towards your larger vision. These could include monthly or quarterly revenue targets, reducing overhead costs by a certain percentage, or increasing client retention rates. 

Step 4: Choosing a Business Structure

Setting up a legal business structure is crucial for your long-term success. It will determine how your company is legally organized and operated, impacting taxes, liability, and overall management.  Therefore, choosing the right business structure is not a decision to be taken lightly. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s crucial to carefully weigh them before choosing. 

1. Sole Proprietorship:

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure in which the owner has complete control and responsibility over the company. This means there is no legal difference between the owner and the business entity.

While this may seem like an easy option for entrepreneurs starting out, it also means that personal assets are at risk if the business faces any legal issues or debts.

2. Partnership:

If you are starting a graphic design business with a partner, forming a partnership may be the right choice. A partnership involves two or more individuals sharing ownership of a single business entity.

However, the main difference between partnerships and LLCs is that there’s protection from liability and double taxation.

A corporation is a separate legal entity from its owners, meaning shareholders have limited liability for its actions and debts. A corporation also provides more credibility to potential clients as it gives off a professional image.

However, setting up a corporation involves more paperwork and fees than other business forms.

An S-corporation status allows small businesses to receive certain tax benefits while maintaining limited liability protection for their owners, similar to traditional corporations.

However, we suggest consulting with a legal or financial professional to register your company with the state and obtain all necessary licenses and permits. 

An LLC combines elements of both corporations and partnerships by providing limited liability protection to its owners while maintaining flexibility in terms of tax options and management structure.

Unlike corporations, where profits are taxed at both corporate and individual levels, LLCs offer pass-through taxation, wherein profits are only taxed once.

Setting up an LLC is relatively simple and does not require as many formalities as a corporation. Moreover, most states allow single-member LLCs, making it easier for solo entrepreneurs to start their own businesses without a partner.

Step 5: Choosing a Business Name

Getting the perfect business name right is a crucial step in setting up your graphic design business.

It will be the first impression potential clients have of your brand and will also play a crucial role in establishing your identity in the market. Therefore, it should accurately reflect your brand, be easy to remember and pronounce, and be available online.

1. Make It Memorable and Easy to Pronounce

Your business name should be easy for people to remember and say correctly. Avoid complicated or hard-to-pronounce words, as they may make it difficult for clients to refer you to others.

2. Reflect on Your Brand and Services

Your business name should reflect what you do and the services you offer.

It should give potential clients an idea of what they can expect from your company. Also, consider incorporating keywords related to graphic design or your niche so that your website can rank higher on search engine results pages.

3. Check Availability

Before finalizing a name, check its availability as a domain name on GoDaddy . This will help with branding consistency across all online channels. Once you have finalized a name, register it with your state as a DBA (doing business as) or LLC.

This will protect your business name and ensure no one else can use it in the same industry or location.

Step 6: Registering Your LLC

Registering your LLC establishes your business as a separate legal entity and provides limited liability protection for your personal assets. In this section, we will guide you through the process of registering your LLC.

1. Choose a Business Name

The first step is choosing a unique and available business name. Your chosen name should not be already registered by another business in the state where you plan to operate. You can check the availability of your desired business name by searching on the Secretary of State’s website.

2. Determine the Registered Agent and Business Address

A registered agent is a person or entity designated to receive legal documents for your company. This can be you, a partner, or a professional registered agent service.

You will also need to provide a physical address for your LLC, which can be your home address or a separate office space.

3. File Articles of Organization

To officially register your LLC with the state, you must file Articles of Organization (also known as Certificate of Formation) with the Secretary of State’s office. This document contains basic information about your company, including its name, purpose, address, and management structure.

4. Create an Operating Agreement

Although not mandatory in every state, creating an operating agreement for your LLC is highly recommended. This document outlines ownership rights and responsibilities among members/managers and helps prevent potential conflicts.

5. Apply for Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a social security number for your business. It is required for tax purposes, opening a business bank account, and hiring employees. Having separate business bank accounts for personal and business finances is crucial to accurately tracking income and expenses.

Congratulations! You have successfully registered your LLC and are now officially in business. Remember to keep all necessary documents organized and up-to-date and comply with any ongoing filing requirements set by your state government.

This will ensure that your graphic design business operates smoothly and legally in the long run.

Step 7: Understanding Legal and Tax Considerations

When starting a graphic design business, it is important to consider your new venture’s legal and tax implications. While each business structure has legal and tax implications, an LLC offers the best balance between liability protection and simplicity for most small businesses.

1. Protect Your Intellectual Property:

As a graphic designer, protecting your intellectual property should be at the forefront of your mind when starting your business.

This can include trademarking logos or slogans for clients, registering copyrights for original designs, and having clients sign contracts stating that they do not own rights to any preliminary work created during the design process.

2. Keep Track of Finances:

Proper bookkeeping is essential for any business owner but especially important for those running an LLC due to potential personal liability issues if finances are not kept separate from personal accounts. Consider hiring an accountant or using accounting software to keep track of income/expenses and taxes owed.

3. Pay Taxes on Time

As an LLC, you will be responsible for paying both state and federal taxes. It is recommended that you consult with a tax professional to ensure that you know all applicable taxes and keep your books updated so that you never miss tax deadlines.

Otherwise, you must pay hefty fines or face other penalties and legal consequences.

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How to Start a Profitable Graphic Design Business [11 Steps]

By Nick Cotter Updated Feb 02, 2024

Business Steps:

1. perform market analysis., 2. draft a graphic design business plan., 3. develop a graphic design brand., 4. formalize your business registration., 5. acquire necessary licenses and permits for graphic design., 6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for graphic design services., 8. acquire graphic design equipment and supplies., 9. obtain business insurance for graphic design, if required., 10. begin marketing your graphic design services., 11. expand your graphic design business..

Starting a graphic design business requires a thorough understanding of the current market. An effective market analysis will help you identify your target audience, understand the competitive landscape, and align your services with market needs. Follow these steps to perform an in-depth market analysis:

• Research your target demographic by gathering data on potential clients who need graphic design services, such as small businesses, publishers, or advertisers.
• Analyze competitors by reviewing their service offerings, pricing structures, and market positioning to identify gaps and opportunities for differentiation.
• Examine industry trends by staying updated with design publications, blogs, and forums to anticipate future demands and emerging design styles or technologies.
• Survey potential clients to gain insights into their specific needs, preferences, and pain points regarding graphic design services.
• Assess the supply and demand within the market, looking at the number of available designers versus the quantity of work available, to gauge market saturation.
• Identify potential niches or areas of specialization where your skills or unique approach could fulfill unmet market needs or solve specific problems.

Are graphic design businesses profitable?

Yes, graphic design businesses can be very profitable. Depending on the services they provide and the pricing structure they use, graphic design businesses can generate significant income and profits. Many graphic designers focus on providing services to local businesses, while others focus on creating unique artwork for a global clientele. With effective marketing strategies, a well-developed portfolio, and a commitment to client satisfaction, any graphic design business can be successful.

Creating a business plan is crucial for the success of your graphic design enterprise. It outlines your business objectives, strategies, and how you plan to achieve your goals. Here's a concise guide to drafting your graphic design business plan:

• Define your business goals: Establish clear, measurable, and realistic goals for your business that you aim to achieve within specific timeframes.
• Identify your target market: Research and describe your ideal clients, their needs, and how your services will meet those needs.
• Analyze competitors: Understand your competition, their strengths and weaknesses, and how you can differentiate yourself in the market.
• Services and pricing: List the services you will offer, including specialized design work, and determine a pricing strategy that reflects your skills and market demand.
• Marketing and sales strategies: Develop a plan on how you will attract and retain clients through various marketing channels and sales tactics.
• Financial projections: Prepare realistic revenue forecasts, budget for expenses, and plan for cash flow management.
• Operational plan: Outline the daily operations of your business, including the tools and resources needed for your design work.

How does a graphic design business make money?

A graphic design business makes money by providing graphic design services to target audiences. For example, a company offering 11 Steps to Starting a Successful Spice Business may target aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. The graphic design business could provide services such as creating logo designs, website designs, and printed materials such as pamphlets and posters to help the business promote itself. In return, the business will charge an hourly rate or a flat fee for the service provided. This revenue would then be used to keep the graphic design business running.

Creating a strong graphic design brand is vital for distinguishing your business in a competitive market. Your brand should reflect your unique style, values, and the quality of work you deliver. Here are some guidelines to help you develop your graphic design brand:

• Define Your Brand Personality: Decide on the character and tone you want your brand to convey - professional, creative, quirky, sophisticated, or approachable.
• Design a Memorable Logo: Your logo should be distinctive and scalable, working across various mediums from business cards to billboards.
• Choose Your Color Palette: Select colors that not only complement each other but also communicate your brand's personality and values.
• Create a Consistent Visual Style: Apply your logo, color palette, and typography consistently across all your marketing materials and online presence.
• Develop a Tagline: Craft a succinct, memorable tagline that encapsulates what you do and what sets you apart.
• Build a Portfolio: Showcase your best work that aligns with your brand's focus, demonstrating your skills and range.
• Establish an Online Presence: Create a professional website and actively engage on social media platforms where your target audience is present.

How to come up with a name for your graphic design business?

Brainstorming is the best way to come up with a name for a graphic design business. Think of words that relate to graphic design and combine them with words that have a personal meaning to you. Look for names that are unique and memorable, so they stand out from other design businesses. Seek feedback from family and friends on different name ideas, as they may be able to provide useful insights. Ultimately, the process of choosing a business name should be enjoyable and creative.

Once you've honed your graphic design skills and crafted a business plan, the next crucial step is formalizing your business registration. This process gives your business a legal structure, protecting your personal assets and establishing credibility with clients. Follow these guidelines to ensure proper registration:

• Choose a Business Structure: Decide on the legal structure of your business—such as sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation—which will impact your taxes, liability, and business operations.
• Register Your Business Name: If your business name is different from your own, you may need to register a Doing Business As (DBA). Check with local and state authorities for specific naming rules and registration processes.
• Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits: Research which licenses and permits you need to legally operate your graphic design business, which can vary by location, industry, and other factors.
• Apply for an EIN: If your business structure requires it, apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for tax purposes, even if you don't have employees.
• Register for State Taxes: Depending on your location, you may need to register for state taxes, such as sales tax or unemployment insurance.
• Open a Business Bank Account: Keep your personal and business finances separate by opening a business bank account, which often requires your EIN and business registration documents.

Resources to help get you started:

Explore vital resources ideal for graphic design entrepreneurs aiming for market insights, operational excellence, and strategic growth advice:

• AIGA | Eye on Design: Explores the world's most exciting designers and uncovers the trends before they're trends. Visit site
• Graphic Design USA (GDUSA): Offers news, trends, and projects in the graphic design industry. Visit site
• The Futur: Provides educational videos and podcasts on design and business strategies. Visit site
• Behance: Showcases latest work from top online portfolios by creative professionals across industries. Visit site
• Design Week: Features the latest from the design world, including graphics, branding, interiors, digital, product, and more. Visit site
• Smashing Magazine: Offers articles on web design, graphic design, and user experience with practical advice and examples. Visit site

Starting a graphic design business involves more than just creativity and the ability to design. It's crucial to ensure that your business operates legally by acquiring the necessary licenses and permits. Depending on your location and the nature of your services, the requirements may vary. Here are the steps to guide you through the process:

• Research Local Regulations: Check with your city or county clerk's office for local business license requirements. You may also need a zoning permit if you work from home.
• Obtain a Business License: Apply for a general business license. This is a basic permit that allows you to operate a business in your city or county.
• Special Permits: If you plan to sell goods along with your services, you might need a seller's permit or a resale certificate.
• Professional Business Licenses: Some jurisdictions may require a specific professional license for graphic design services. Check with your state's business licensing office.
• Trademark Your Brand: Consider registering your business name and logo as a trademark to protect your brand identity.
• Stay Updated: Licenses and permits have expiration dates. Keep track of renewal deadlines to maintain compliance.

What licenses and permits are needed to run a graphic design business?

To run a graphic design business, you may need the following licenses and permits, depending on your local laws and regulations:

• Business or professional license from your city, county or state
• Certificate of Occupancy
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Sales Tax Permit Number
• Sign Permit
• Zoning Permits or Clearance Certificates

Opening a business bank account is a vital step for separating personal and business finances, while securing funding ensures you have the capital needed to grow your graphic design business. Below are the vital steps to take in order to establish your financial foundation and secure the necessary funds.

• Research banks and credit unions to find the best business banking options, considering fees, services, and convenience.
• Gather required documents including your business license, EIN, and ownership agreements to open your account.
• Apply for a business credit card to help manage expenses and build your company's credit history.
• Explore different funding options, such as small business loans, lines of credit, or grants tailored for creative industries or entrepreneurs.
• Consider crowdfunding or reaching out to angel investors if your business model is particularly innovative or has high growth potential.
• Create a solid business plan to present to potential lenders or investors, showcasing your market analysis, services, and financial projections.
• Keep a close eye on your cash flow once you start operating, ensuring you have enough funds to cover business expenses and growth initiatives.

Pricing your graphic design services appropriately is crucial to ensuring a profitable and sustainable business. Consider the value you bring to clients, your experience, and the market rates. Below are guidelines to help set your prices:

• Assess Your Costs: Calculate your overhead costs, software subscriptions, hardware investments, and any other business expenses to establish a baseline for your pricing.
• Research Market Rates: Look into what other graphic designers with similar skills and experience are charging to gauge competitive pricing.
• Value-Based Pricing: Set prices based on the value and results your design work offers to clients rather than just the time spent.
• Offer Packages: Create service bundles with set prices for common design needs like branding packages, social media graphics, or web design.
• Consider Licensing and Rights: Factor in the cost for different levels of usage rights or exclusivity that you may provide to clients.
• Be Transparent: Clearly communicate your pricing structure to avoid misunderstandings and to build trust with clients.
• Review Regularly: Periodically review your pricing to ensure it remains fair for both you and your clients and adjusts for your growing experience and inflation.

What does it cost to start a graphic design business?

Initiating a graphic design business can involve substantial financial commitment, the scale of which is significantly influenced by factors such as geographical location, market dynamics, and operational expenses, among others. Nonetheless, our extensive research and hands-on experience have revealed an estimated starting cost of approximately $4100 for launching such an business. Please note, not all of these costs may be necessary to start up your graphic design business.

Having the right tools is essential for delivering high-quality graphic design services. From powerful hardware to creative software, acquiring the necessary equipment and supplies will set the foundation for your business. Here are some key items to consider for your graphic design setup:

• Computer: Invest in a reliable, high-performance computer with a color-accurate monitor for designing and multitasking efficiently.
• Graphic Tablet: A graphic tablet or drawing monitor can greatly enhance precision and control in digital illustration and photo editing.
• Design Software: Purchase or subscribe to industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Printer: A high-quality printer can produce proofs and small runs of client work. Consider color accuracy and resolution in your selection.
• Storage: Secure digital storage solutions, such as external hard drives or cloud services, are essential for backing up and archiving projects.
• Office Supplies: Stock up on basics such as sketchbooks, pens, markers, and paper for initial concept drafting and note-taking.
• Color Reference Guides: Pantone color guides or other color reference tools can help with color matching and selection.
• Desk and Chair: An ergonomic workspace with a comfortable chair and ample desk space is vital for long hours of work.

List of software, tools and supplies needed to start a graphic design business:

• Computer: $700-$3000
• Design Software: $30-$400/month
• High-quality Printer: $1000-$3000
• Photo Editing Software: Free-Paid
• Logo Design Software: $50-$200
• Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription: $99/month
• Scanner: $200-$500
• Storage and Backup Device: $100-$1000+
• Business Card Design Software: Free-Paid
• Social Media Management Software: Free-Paid

Ensuring your graphic design business is protected with the right insurance is a crucial step. It not only safeguards your operations but also provides peace of mind as you serve your clients. Here's a quick guide on obtaining the necessary business insurance:

• Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as errors and omissions insurance, this coverage can protect you in case of claims alleging negligence or mistakes in your work.
• General Liability Insurance: This insurance protects against claims of bodily injury or property damage caused by your business activities.
• Business Owners Policy (BOP): A BOP typically combines general liability with property insurance, often at a more affordable rate than purchasing them separately.
• Property Insurance: If you own or lease a physical space, property insurance will cover equipment and inventory in the event of damage or theft.
• Home-Based Business Insurance: If you work from home, your homeowner's policy might not cover business-related claims, so consider a policy that does.
• Workers' Compensation: If you have employees, most states will require you to carry workers' compensation insurance.

Always consult with an insurance agent or broker who specializes in business policies to ensure you get coverage tailored to your specific needs.

Now that your graphic design business is set up, it's time to spread the word and attract clients. Effective marketing is key to establishing your brand and generating interest. Here are some essential steps to kickstart your marketing efforts:

• Build a Portfolio: Create a professional online portfolio showcasing your best work. This will serve as your visual resume and help potential clients gauge your style and capabilities.
• Utilize Social Media: Leverage platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook to display your work, share updates, and engage with your audience.
• Networking: Attend industry meetups, conferences, and other events to connect with potential clients and fellow designers.
• Content Marketing: Start a blog or YouTube channel offering design tips and insights, establishing yourself as an expert in the field.
• Email Marketing: Collect emails through your website and send out newsletters with your latest projects, offers, and design news.
• Referral Programs: Encourage word-of-mouth marketing by offering incentives to clients who refer new business to you.
• Collaborate: Partner with other businesses or influencers to expand your reach and tap into new networks.
• Paid Advertising: Consider using targeted ads on Google or social media to reach potential clients actively searching for design services.

As your graphic design business matures, it's time to look at expansion strategies to scale up and reach new markets. Whether through diversifying your services, leveraging online platforms, or forming strategic partnerships, growth is within reach. Here are some key points to consider for expanding your graphic design business:

• Explore New Markets: Research and target new industries or niches that could benefit from your design expertise.
• Diversify Services: Offer additional services such as web design, animation, or social media management to provide a more comprehensive package to your clients.
• Invest in Marketing: Increase your marketing efforts through social media advertising, content marketing, and attending industry events to gain more exposure.
• Build a Team: Hire additional designers or freelancers to increase your capacity for taking on new projects.
• Collaborate with Others: Form partnerships with complementary businesses to offer bundled services to clients.
• Improve Online Presence: Optimize your website for SEO, maintain an active blog, and showcase your portfolio to attract more online traffic.
• Seek Client Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback and testimonials from clients to improve your services and build social proof.

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How to Start a Graphic Design Business

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Deciding to start a business is a big step for any entrepreneur. However, what follows are many more steps to successfully launch and grow your business.

For those with an eye for design and the technical skills, you may be wondering how to start a graphic design business. In this guide, we’ll break down all of the steps you need to know to take your graphic design business from idea to reality. Let’s get started.

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Step 1: Choose a name and business entity

The first step in starting a graphic design business is to choose a name and business entity.

When choosing a business name , you want to make sure you pick something that represents your personality while also making it clear to potential customers what type of business you operate. Once you have some ideas in mind, you’ll need to make sure they’re available for use. Searching your secretary of state’s business portal, Google, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are all good places to start. You’ll also want to make sure any domains or social media handles are available for your business name, as well.

Once you’ve chosen your business name, it’s time to choose the business entity you’d like for your business. This is a crucial step, as the business entity you choose will dictate how you pay taxes, your degree of personal liability, and how to structure your business. We recommend consulting with a business attorney at this stage if you’re unsure how to choose. Some common options are:

Sole proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure you can have. While they’re easy to set up, though, you will not have any personal protections in the event that your business runs into legal or financial troubles—you and your business are seen as the same entity. You will also file business taxes on your personal return.

LLC : An LLC is a popular option because they’re fairly simple to set up and they provide the business owners with a degree of personal protection. You can choose to be taxed either as a corporation or pass-through entity.

Corporation : You may also choose to structure your business as a corporation. The most common types are S-corps and C-corps, and how you’re taxed and the structure of your business will depend on which type you choose.

Once you have decided on your name and business entity, you can register your business with your state. This will likely be done with your secretary of state’s office. Keep in mind, you typically don’t have to register a sole proprietorship; however, if you want to operate under a business name different from your own, legal name, you will have to file a DBA, or “doing business as.”

Step 2: Choose your niche

As a graphic designer, there are a number of specialties you can have. While it may be tempting to do it all—and you may need to be open to accepting a variety of projects as you grow your customer base—placing yourself in a niche market can be a smart decision.

Some niche graphic design ideas include:

Logo design

Brochure design

Poster design

Brand strategy

Infographics

You likely already have specific expertise in a certain area, or you may just enjoy one facet of graphic design the most. Either way, once you’ve established that there is demand for this type of work, keep this niche in mind while making your other business decisions.

Step 3: Write a business plan

No matter what kind of business you’re starting, you should always write a business plan . Even if no one else ever sees it, your business plan will provide a roadmap to help keep you on track through the launch and all-important early years of your business. However, should you seek outside funding or an investor down the road, you will also need to provide your business plan to prove that your business is worth investing in.

Your business plan will cover a lot of information—from a market analysis and competitor research to an overview of what services you’ll provide, financial projections, and more. You should outline how much startup money you’ll need to launch your business, and where this will come from (i.e. your own savings, friends and family, or business loans).

This is also a good time to set your prices and make sure they’re in line with what similar graphic designers charge. You’ll also want to decide if you want to charge an hourly or per-project rate. Researching your market will help you settle on an appropriate rate, but this Bonsai rate explorer can also help.

Step 4: Organize your marketing materials

In order to grow your business and find more clients, you’ll want to start formalizing your business through marketing materials. Marketing materials can help spread the word about your business, showcase your portfolio, and give prospective clients a way to contact you and learn more about your experience. Here are some marketing materials to consider.

One of the most important marketing materials you can have as a small business owner is a website.

As a graphic designer, your website is a great way to show what you’re capable of producing for your clients. Include a portfolio of your past work, whether for clients, an agency, or your own passion projects, as well as the types of projects you’re willing to work on, contact information, positive customer testimonials, and more.

Your graphic design background will make designing a website simple, but don’t get too hung up on the details. Creating a simple website that clearly shows off your work should be plenty to start attracting clients.

Social media

Beyond a business website, you’ll also want to set up social media profiles for your business. Because graphic design is so visual, you’ll want to choose the platforms that lend themselves to images over text, such as Instagram.

Additionally, you should consider creating a LinkedIn profile as well to connect with your network, showcase your work, and find prospective clients.

Step 5: Build your client base

With your business officially registered, your niche defined, and your business website created, you’re ready to start finding work.

Some ideas to help you find your first clients include:

Sign up for job boards

Join freelance graphic design groups on Facebook

Register for a freelancing site such as Upwork or Fiverr

Start networking with other creatives in your city

Attend industry events

All of these options can help you find your first few clients, and from there your business will likely grow organically. By delivering your projects on time and to your clients’ specifications, you’ll slowly but surely build a reputation that will speak for itself. And never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Make sure anyone in your network—even people who aren’t in your industry—know that you’ve gone into business for yourself, so they can recommend you to their networks and further expand your reach.

Step 6: Separate your business and personal finances

As you start taking on clients, you’ll need somewhere to put your business income. While you may be tempted to use your personal bank account, this would be a mistake. Keeping your business and personal finances separate serves some very important purposes. First of all, it will make filing your taxes much easier if you don’t have to sort through every credit card charge or bank transaction to figure out which were for your business. Second, keeping this separation will help protect your personal assets in the event that your business gets into trouble.

Explore your business checking account options to find the right one for you, paying close attention to maintenance fees, transaction allowances, account minimums, and more. Next, find a business credit card that will reward you for spending (whether that’s in miles, cash back, or another rewards structure).

It’s also worth looking into accounting software to help manage your finances and invoice clients. These self-employed accounting software options are a good place to start.

Step 7: Consider your financing options

As you take on more clients and your business grows, you may need to expand in a meaningful way to keep up with demand. Maybe you need to hire some employees so you can take on more jobs or you need to invest in some pricey equipment to keep up with the latest technology, for example.

If this expansion costs more than you can manage on your own but would make a big difference in your bottom line, you may look into a business loan or other financing option.

When you’re just starting out, it will be difficult to qualify for traditional business loans; however, once you’ve been in business for a year or more and have positive financials to show for it, you’ll have more favorable options.

Here are some options you may want to explore:

Business line of credit: A business line of credit is a useful financing tool for any business owner. In fact, even if you don’t have financing needs right away, it’s good to have in your back pocket for any emergency cash flow issues or time-sensitive opportunities. A line of credit will provide you with a set amount of funds that you can draw against for any business-related purpose. You’ll only pay interest on the amount you use, and once you repay it, your balance will typically reset to its original value and you can continue to dip into it as needed.

Equipment financing: If your graphic design business needs new computers or other equipment to help you complete your work, equipment financing may be an ideal solution. You’ll take a quote for the equipment you want to buy to a lender, and if approved, you will receive the funds to make the purchase. The equipment will also serve as collateral, so if you fail to repay the loan, the lender can seize the equipment and liquidate it to recoup their losses.

Invoice financing: As a graphic designer, you may work on an invoice basis, where you send an invoice to your client once you’ve completed the work they requested. If this is the case, waiting for those invoices to be paid can put a strain on your cash flow. With invoice financing, a lender will front you a percentage (typically up to 85%) of your unpaid invoices so you get cash when you need it. Then once your customer pays, you repay the loan plus the lender fees.

Start Your Dream Business

The bottom line

When you’re learning how to start a graphic design business, all the steps that you need to take to get started can seem overwhelming. However, taking the time to complete each step will help ensure you’re truly prepared—financially and otherwise—to start a business in the first place. By taking your time and doing your due diligence, you’re sure to start a graphic design business that can grow into a successful enterprise.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

On a similar note...

Graphic Design Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Graphic Design Business Plan Template

If you want to start a successful graphic design business or expand your current graphic design business, you need a business plan.

Fortunately, you’re in the right place. Our team has helped develop over 100,000 business plans over the past 20 years, including thousands of graphic design business plans.

The following graphic design business plan template and example gives you the key elements you must include in your plan. In our experience speaking with lenders and investors, the template is organized in the precise format they want.

You can download our business plan template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.  

Graphic Design Business Plan Example

I. executive summary, business overview.

Located in [Location], [Company Name] is a full-service graphic design agency that assists businesses with website, logo, and printed product design. Our services result in a visually appealing website and marketing materials that enhance branding, lead generation, customer acquisition, and customer retention. We provide a free estimate during our complimentary meeting to learn about our clients’ needs and objectives. From printed flyers to website design and functionality, [Company Name] creates customized graphic design solutions and strategies that perfectly match each client’s business and industry. [Company Name]’s goal is to become a top graphic design agency brand and compete with the industry leaders.

Products Served

[Company Name] will provide a variety of graphic design services to its clients. Our services include:

• Website design and development
• Logo design
• Print design
• Social media graphics
• Brand identity development
• Content creation
• Copywriting

Customer Focus

[Company Name] will primarily serve entrepreneurs, start-ups, and corporate organizations that are located within 50 miles of [Location]. The demographics of these customers are as follows:

• 20,000 corporations and small businesses
• 15,000 entrepreneurs

Management Team

[Company Name] is led by [Founder’s Name], who has been in the graphic design industry for [X] years. He has worked as a graphic designer for several corporations and has a consistent track record of improving branding and customer retention through his work. He has recently begun working as a freelance graphic designer but has now decided to turn his freelance business into an agency. He will hire several other graphic designers to help him manage his clients and workload.

Success Factors

[Company Name] is qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

• There is currently a high demand for graphic design services in the community. In addition, the company surveyed the local population and received highly positive feedback pointing towards an explicit demand for the services, supporting the business after launch.
• There has been significant growth in graphic design over the past few years. Those who cater to this market have been thriving.
• The management team has a track record of success in the graphic design business.
• The graphic design business is a proven, successful business in the United States.

Financial Highlights

[Company Name] is currently seeking $200,000 to launch the graphic design agency. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Office build-out: $50,000
• Equipment and supplies: $50,000
• Working capital: $100,000 to pay for marketing, equipment, and salaries.

Top line projections over the next five years are as follows:

II. Company Overview

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Who is [Company Name]?

[Company Name] is a full-service graphic design agency located in [Location]. We specialize in helping businesses create visually appealing websites, logos, and printed products that enhance branding, lead generation, customer acquisition, and customer retention. Our services include website design and development, logo design, print design, brand identity development, and SEO.

We work with businesses of all sizes, from startups to established corporations. We understand that each business has unique needs, and we tailor our services to meet those needs.

We offer a free consultation to learn more about our clients’ business and their goals. During this consultation, we discuss the client’s budget, timeline, and desired results. We will also provide them with a free estimate for our services. Once we understand their needs, we will create a custom graphic design solution that is tailored to their business. We will work with our clients every step of the way to ensure that they are satisfied with the final product.

[Company Name] is founded by [Founder’s Name], an experienced graphic design professional. [Founder’s Name] is an entrepreneur with a passion for graphic design who seeks to provide a one-of-a-kind upscale graphic design experience. His experience and our commitment to excellence will make [Company Name] the top graphic design agency in [Location].

[Company Name]’s History

After surveying the local customer base, [Founder’s Name] incorporated [Company Name] as an S-Corporation on [Date of Incorporation].

[Founder’s Name] is currently undergoing due diligence on several properties and the local market to assess the most desirable location for the graphic design agency.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Determined the list of services to be offered
• Determined equipment requirements
• Began recruiting key employees

[Company Name]’s Products/Services

[Company Name] will provide a comprehensive list of graphic design services to help clients create beautiful websites, design print materials, and effectively market their brand. Our services include:

III. Industry Analysis

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here. [Company Name] competes against small, individually owned graphic design agencies and major regional or national chains. According to IBIS World, the U.S. graphic design market was valued at $49.7 billion in 2023 and grew 3.3% that same year. On average, the industry has grown 2.9% each year in the past five years. Similar growth is expected over the next several years.

The primary positive factor affecting this industry is the demand driven by the target audience to effectively market and promote their content, products, and services online. This creates a demand for well-designed websites and marketing materials that will enhance branding, lead generation, customer acquisition, and customer retention. There are not enough expert graphic designers to currently meet this demand, meaning that graphic design agencies are an essential business. If these trends continue, our graphic design agency will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.

IV. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

[Company Name] will serve entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporate organizations, as well as small businesses in the [Location] area. Over time, the company expects that it will gain regional and national recognition.

Customer Segmentation

[Company Name] will primarily target the following customer segments:

• Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups : Entrepreneurs and start-ups don’t have the time, skill, or budget to hire an in-house graphic designer. Therefore, they are the most likely segment to need the services of a graphic design agency. We expect most of our clients will come from this segment.
• Corporate Organizations : Corporate organizations are always looking for outside help for affordable services and unique design and branding ideas. We look forward to working with several large industries and businesses located throughout the region.
• Small Businesses : Small businesses that need to increase their reach in the local, national, and international markets will make an important market segment for the company. Like start-ups, they may not have the budget to hire their own team of graphic designers and will need our agency’s services.

V. Competitive Analysis

Direct & indirect competitors.

The following establishments are located within a 20-mile radius of [Company Name], thus providing either direct or indirect competition for customers:

Sunset Designs Sunset Designs is the city’s most well-known graphic design agency and has been in business for 20 years. Sunset Designs specializes in helping mission-driven organizations by transforming their branding, social media, website design, and marketing strategy. Sunset Designs offers quality digital and print design services to ensure their clients maintain a consistent brand and improve their customer retention. Sunset Designs works with both small and large businesses to help them enhance their digital and physical presence. We expect that Sunset Designs will be our biggest competitor in the local market.

Digital Design Pros Digital Design Pros has been in the industry since 2010, catering to entrepreneurs and corporations alike. Digital Design Pros focuses on providing digital graphic design services, from website design and functionality to social media graphics. Digital Design Pros is dedicated to bringing customers’ business visions to life through its knowledge, experience, and visionary designs. Though Digital Design Pros will continue to thrive, they will only compete with us for clients who exclusively need digital graphic design services.

Wise Designs Wise Designs was established in 2012 and is known for its transparent work and real-time results for its clients. Wise Designs mainly focuses on designing printed materials for local businesses, including logos, flyers, and business cards. They also provide advice and consultations on brand strategy and how to attract new customers with their products. While Wise Designs’ services are still in high demand, they will only compete with us for clients who exclusively need printed products.

Competitive Advantage

[Company Name] enjoys several advantages over its competitors. These advantages include:

• Management : The company’s management team has [X] years of graphic design experience that allows them to serve customers in an improved and sophisticated manner than the competitors.
• Relationships : Having lived in the community for [X] years, [Founder’s Name] knows all of the local leaders, media, and other influencers. Furthermore, he will be able to draw from his existing personal and professional relationships to develop an initial client base.
• Location : [Company Name]’s location is near the center of town, giving the company access to budding artists, corporate organizations, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

VI. Marketing Plan

The [company name] brand.

The [Company Name] brand will focus on the company’s unique value proposition:

• Convenient location.
• Offering a wide variety of high-quality graphic design services to entrepreneurs, corporate organizations, and small businesses.
• Providing excellent customer service.
• Moderate price point.

Promotions Strategy

[Company Name] expects its target market to be entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporate organizations, and small businesses. The company’s promotional strategy to reach the audience includes:

Pre-Opening Events Before opening the graphic design agency, [Company Name] will organize pre-opening events designed for prospective customers and press contacts. These events will create buzz and awareness for [Company Name] in the area.

Advertisement Advertisements in print publications like newspapers, magazines, etc., are an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience. [Company Name] will advertise its company offerings in popular magazines and news dailies. Obtaining relevant placements in industry magazines and journals will also help in increasing brand visibility.

Public Relations [Company Name] will hire an experienced PR agency/professional(s) to formulate a compelling PR campaign to boost its brand visibility among the target audience. It will look to garner stories about the company and its services in various media outlets like podcasts, television stations, radio shows, etc.

Social Media Marketing Social media is one of the most cost-effective and practical marketing methods for improving brand visibility. [Company Name] will use social media to develop engaging content and post customer reviews that will increase audience awareness and loyalty.

Website/SEO [Company Name] will develop a professional website that displays details about our services, staff, location, and contact information. It will also invest in SEO so that the company’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Word of Mouth Marketing [Company Name] will encourage word-of-mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients. The company will use recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing to grow its customer base through the network of its existing customers.

Pricing Strategy

[Company Name]’s pricing will be moderate, so customers feel they receive great value when availing of the graphic design services. The customer can expect to receive quality services at a more affordable price than what they pay at an ultra-premium graphic design company.

VII. Operations Plan

Functional roles.

To execute [Company Name]’s business model, the company needs to perform many functions, including the following:

Service Functions

• Cold call potential clients
• Provide free estimates and complimentary consultations
• Design websites for better appearance and functionality
• Design printed products and marketing materials

Administrative Functions

• Bookkeeping
• Website and social media maintenance
• Hiring and training staff

VIII. Management Team

Management team members.

Though [Founder’s Name] has never run an agency before, he will hire several other staff to help him run the aspects of the business that he is unfamiliar with.

Hiring Plan

[Founder’s Name] will serve as the CEO. To launch the graphic design agency, the company will need to hire the following personnel:

• Graphic Designers (3 to start)
• Human Resources Manager
• Sales Executives (2 to start)
• Administrative Assistant

IX. Financial Plan

Revenue and cost drivers.

[Company Name]’s revenues will come from the fees charged for our graphic design services.

The major costs for the company will be staff salaries. In the initial years, the company’s marketing spend will be high, as it establishes itself in the market.

Capital Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following table reflects the key revenue and cost assumptions made in the financial model:

5 Year Annual Income Statement

5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

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A Business Plan for Freelance Graphic Designers

There were so many times in my business that I just stopped in my tracks. I was working on something for so long, like a client project, that when I was done I almost didn’t know what was next. I was missing a small business plan that really worked for me.

The ironic thing about freezing up and not knowing what to do is that we most likely have a long list already made. And that list has all of the good intentions to grow your business. However, the priorities are a little blurred when there is so much busyness all around.

I love using project management software for my business (Asana and Notion). I always had a section on there to brainstorm ideas. But oftentimes they would just stay there and never go anywhere. And when I would finally get around to looking at it, I’d close the window!

In those times, I’m running around like a headless chicken trying to figure out my next step. I learned from school and also from a few resources about how to make a formal business plan. It was very daunting, structured, and a little hard to follow.

I think the reason for that is small business plans are different for solo entrepreneurs and designers. We constantly have to be moving and thinking on our feet. The best thing to do is to create a more flexible business plan that actually makes sense for a  graphic designer.

Regularly ask yourself what you want for your graphic design business

My assumption is that most of us are not asking ourselves questions often enough. We evolve as business owners and as people.  We go through phases of life or struggles, and suddenly those things that were once important aren’t anymore. And we may have redefined values.

Because we are always changing, it should be a regular practice to ask yourself what you want. First of all, do you like what you’re doing? Are you in the right headspace? Is it good for your mental health? Is it helping with creativity? Is it healthy for your relationships?

It’s crucial to audit your business in terms of your lifestyle. The goal of having a design business should be to enhance your life based on your definitions of that. Check on yourself every quarter and make sure everything is in alignment.

Add short and long-term goals to the small business plan

I know some people like to ask you what your 5 and 10-year goals are. It really depends on how you like to imagine these things. For me, I have a vision of what I’d like my future self to be, but it’s really hard to see that far out.

If you’re able to do so, envisioning your life that far ahead is a great skill, and you can write all of that down. But if you can’t, don’t fret. Because sometimes the short-term goals are just as good and helpful for your business.

Annual business plan

Start with an annual plan and then work backward.  I tend to be on the more conservative and practical side and often don’t practice dreaming big. But don’t be like me!

You should absolutely be stretching your goals to something you can’t even imagine right now.  list out these items and you can add or remove them to your liking:

• Annual income
• Number of clients
• Type of clients
• Average price of services
• Types/streams of income
• Number of hours worked (broken up by week)
• Relationships

I kept it pretty broad because I want you to interpret this in a way that makes sense for you. Write down what excites you and figure out how you can make your design business support these things. Besides being a long-term plan, this is really a mindset exercise to get you to start thinking of your business working for you.

Your mission and vision

I love creating an annual plan first because it can manifest what I want in life. I can see from here what my true priorities are, and it is easier to figure out my vision.  You’ve written out what’s most important to you and your ambition to accomplish it.

You know what kind of service is you want to offer and who you want to help. That right there is your mission.

Put it at the top of your business plan so you can be reminded of it. It will help you not stray too far if you’re feeling that shiny object syndrome.

Weekly + monthly plan

You can now break up your annual plan to come up with your weekly and monthly plans. What do you need to do in order to reach your goals this month? How can you divide that by the weeks?

Create an Asana board (or any other project management tool. Google Sheets or Airtable work really well too), and break up your workweek.

Categorize and prioritize your small business plan by timeline

It’s time to categorize these into more digestible tasks. If you want two large clients a month, you have to figure out who these clients could potentially be and where you can find them.

So maybe in this case your ideal clients are on Instagram. Now you have to come up with an Instagram strategy where you put out content that attracts them.  You can also message certain businesses and connect with them.

Next, add time for social media marketing and content creation in a way that helps you do it every week.

Keep your design business plan flexible

Even though you have everything written down, it doesn’t have to be rigid. Always remind yourself of your vision, and for this year that should pretty much stay the same. Your approaches to your clients and marketing will be the flexible part.

There are so many new things coming out that will help you during this time whether those are resources, software, or other tools.  On the other hand, platforms are constantly changing which may make things more difficult. Adapting to the changes is what will keep your business strong as long as you keep your overall messaging consistent.

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Graphic Design Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Arts & Craft Sector

Are you about starting a graphic design business ? If YES, here’s a complete sample graphic design business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE to raise money .

Look around you and you will see graphics all around you; from the television, to the internet and then to the books. Truth remains that graphics will continue to get all the attention it gets now because of the creativity involved in the profession.

Those who are in the trade know that one of the things that make one stand out is the level of creativity one is able to bring to the table.

The graphics industry is vastly becoming a saturated one as more and more people are beginning to take to the trade.  This is because of the profitability that it assures. If you are a graphic designer, there is no limit to the amount you can make as a professional- especially if you know how to generate doable business ideas.

The truth is that many talented graphic designers (graphic artist) gets stranded because they lack innovative ideas to transform their talents (skills) into a money making venture.

The fact that you are a graphic designer does not in any way restrict you to a certain way of doing business. First and foremost, you must have mastered the skill, and then you should look outside the box. Looking outside the box could mean that you should also acquire complementary skills like video editing and video coverage skills et al.

The bottom line is that if you want to make more money as a graphic designer, then you should be ready to go out of your way to develop innovative business ideas that is in sync with your skills; ideas that won’t take you too far from your core area of business. This is also  where having a detailed business plan comes in.

A Sample Graphic Design Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The graphics design business has really opened up over the years and this can be especially attributed to the advent of the internet. A whole lot of things have really caused the business to really boom and in turn attract people to start the trade as well.

The advent of personal computers no doubt gave leverage to the graphic design industry, it is now easier for graphics designer to carry out their jobs from the comfort of their homes with ease and accuracy in terms of designs specifications and color combinations et al. Graphic design can be categorized under the visual and communication arts industry.

Everyone will quite agree that the graphic design industry has come to stay and of course it is one industry that plays key roles- not only in the business world, but also in nearly all the aspects of what goes around in our world today. For instance; organizations with top notch logos would have hired the services of a graphic artist.

As a matter of fact, the services of graphic artists are needed in branding, print advertisement, the publication industry (books, magazines and newspapers et al), handbills, posters, billboards, websites, product packaging and in other areas.

One of the good things about this business remains the fact that you can start by acquiring a skill in the business and then begin to horn your creativity skills in the industry. There are a thousand and one schools both offline and on line that offers trainings. All that is therefore needed to be done is to be really attentive so that one can get all the rudiments of the art right.

Over the years, the graphic design industry has experienced tremendous growth; from the use of crayons, colors, paints, markers and pencil, to the use of desktop publishing and graphic art software. Beyond every reasonable doubt, a graphic designer cannot be effective and efficient in this dispensation without the use of computers and computer software applications; computer enhanced creative process for graphic artists.

The graphic design industry is undeniably a very large industry and pretty much active in all the parts of the world. Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are 138,035 registered graphic design companies, employing about 172,494 and the industry rakes in about $11bn annually.

The industry is indeed a highly competitive industry, which is why no graphic design company can boast of generating more than 5 percent of the total revenue in the industry.

As a matter of fact, IBIS World has stated that the two biggest graphic design companies have a combined market share of only 5.2 percent. Statistics also has it that 93.2 percent of players in the graphic design industry employ maximum of 10 full – time workers per time.

Over and above, the graphic design industry is very open to aspiring entrepreneurs who have the required skills to start his or her own graphic design business and of course make good money from the industry. As a matter of fact, it was projected that over the next five years, new technology will continue to emerge that will make it easier for more players to come into the industry hence increasing the competition in the industry.

2. Executive Summary

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio Is a U.S based but world class graphics design company. We do not have plans to handle things with levity, which is why we have really made it a point of mandate to do all that we are able to We have been able to lock down a standard and well – positioned office facility in a busy business district in Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland.

We are a graphic design company that is set to compete in the highly competitive graphic design industry not only in the United States market, but also in the global market. Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio will be involved in the all aspect of graphic design services- such as Web Design, Print Media Design, Advertising and Corporate Branding, Graphic and Commercial art services, Corporate Identification design services (logos), Cartoons and Animations.

Our business goal is to become one of the leading graphic design companies in the United States and we will make sure that every graphic design jobs that leaves our studio can favorable compete with the best in the industry.

We believe that having the best of employees also have a ways of helping to boost a business. This is one of the reasons why our workers will be selected from a pool of talented and highly creative graphic artists in and around Baltimore and also from any part of the world as the business grows.

We will make sure that we take all the members of our workforce through the required trainings that will position them to meet the expectation of the company and to compete with leading graphic designers in the United States and throughout the globe.

We have put plans in place to build a state of the art graphics studio in Baltimore – Maryland. Our studio will be well equipped and we will ensure that we follow the trend in the industry. At Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio, our client’s best interest come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio is founded by Louis Clinton and his friend and business partner for many years Levi Bradford. They have a combine experience in corporate branding and advertising, cartoon and animations, graphic and commercial art services and print media design.

3. Our Products and Services

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio was established with the aim of maximizing profits in the graphic design industry. We want to compete favorably with the leading graphics design companies in the United States, which is why we have but in place a competent quality assurance team that will ensure that all our graphic designs and services meet and even surpass our customers’ expectations.

We will work hard to ensure that Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio is not just accepted nationally in the United States of America, but also in other parts of the world. Our products and services are listed below;

• Print Media Design
• Advertising and Corporate Branding
• Graphic and Commercial art services
• Corporate Identification design services
• Creating Illustrations
• Cartoon and Animations (3D et al) Production

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to establish a standard graphic design studio whose services and brand will not only be accepted in the United States of America, but also in other parts of the world.
• We are poised to solve the graphics problems around town.
• Our mission is to provide professional and highly creative graphic design and related services that will assist businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations in promoting their brands.
• We want to build a graphic design company that can favorably compete with other leading brands in the industry.

Our Business Structure

At Louis and Levi, we have structured our business so well so that all and sundry can benefits from Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio. Our business is a graphic design company that intends to   start small in Baltimore, but hope to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading graphic design studios in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hire the best hands within our area of operations.

At Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer
• Creative Director

Human Resources and Admin Manager

• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Graphic Artist
• Cartoon and Animation Specialist

Client Service Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Creative Director:

• Serves as project manager of the organization; works directly with employees
• Responsible for designing concepts for advertisements and other promotional needs for client (s)
• In charge of copy writing and laying out chronological advertisement plans
• Develops strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities; presenting assumptions; recommending objectives.
• Accomplishes subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, budgets, and results measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; making mid-course corrections.
• Coordinates efforts by establishing procurement, production, marketing, field, and technical services policies and practices; coordinating actions with corporate staff.
• Builds company image by collaborating with customers, government, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices.
• Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
• Make certain that production and development department perform efficiently, coordinate employee efforts, and facilitate communications between management and graphic designer
• Ensures that the organization work in line with international best practices.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily office and factory activities.
• Makes sure that the smooth and daily cleaning is never compromised.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Manage external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Creates new markets cum businesses for the organization
• Empowers and motivates the sales team to meet and surpass agreed targets
• Attends really warmly to the clients that come to the office.

Accountant / Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Pick ‘a’ Brain™ Finishing School
• Serves as internal auditor for Pick ‘a’ Brain™ Finishing School

Graphic Designers (2)

• Liaises with clients to determine their requirement and budget
• Responsible for developing concepts, graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and websites
• Responsible for managing client proposals from typesetting through to design, print and production
• Responsible for reviewing final layout and suggesting improvement if necessary
• Responsible for working with clients, briefing and advising them with regards to design style, format, print production and timescales et al
• Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and font style and size
• Responsible for liaising with external printers on a regular basis to ensure deadlines are met and material is printed to the highest quality
• Responsible for preparing drafts or material based on an agreement brief.
• Researches and advice the organization on style, genre and other trendy info as it relates to graphic design.

Cartoon and Animator Specialist (2)

• Responsible for designing models, background, sets, characters, objects and the animation environment
• Works creatively to produce original and aesthetically pleasing designs and solutions
• Uses specialist computer software applications such as Maya, Lightwave, Softimage, Cinema 4D, Flash and After Effects
• Presents designs to customers for evaluation
• Liaises and working effectively with other design and production staff
• Welcomes students and visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with students on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the school coordinator in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the schools’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to students when they make enquiries

6. SWOT Analysis

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist our organization in building a well – structured graphic design business that can favorably compete in the highly competitive graphic design industry in the United States and the world at large.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio. We believe it was really expedient to have only professionals handle this aspect and so we got the best of results.

Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of creative and highly proficient graphic designers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience various niche areas in the graphic design industry.

Aside from the synergy that exists in our carefully selected graphic artists our designs and services will be guided by best practices in the industry. We know that with a solid area of strength, we will be able to attract loads of people, who will patronize us.

As a new graphic design company in Baltimore – Maryland, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from top profile clients in the already saturated and highly competitive graphic design industry; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to promote our business the way we would want to.

• Opportunities:

No doubt, the opportunities in the graphic design industry is massive considering the number of individuals and corporate organizations whose businesses depends on the services of graphic artist. As a graphic design company, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that is available in the industry.

Therefore, for us to harness what we have, we have to be all hard working so that at the end of the day after putting our best, we will get what we deserve.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new graphic design company in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The trend in the graphic design industry is that the target market keeps expanding, people and organizations are now seeing the need for them to engage the services of graphic designers either in branding or packaging their products and services or in helping them create animations that will help them communicate their brand to a wide range of clients.

For example; politicians no longer rely on graphic artists to design and produce colorful campaign handbills, posters, billboards and other print related campaign materials but also to help them produce animations and cartoons that will help them effectively communicate their message.

Another common trend in the graphic design industry is that, most graphic design firms no longer settle for clients within the location where there physical office is located but also from any part of the world. The truth is that with the advent of the internet, it is now easier for a graphic design company or a graphic designer to work for clients in any part of the world.

A graphic design company can be located in the United States of America and have their biggest client in United Arab Emirates. Many thanks to the power of the internet. Lastly, the graphic design industry will continue to evolve due to the advancement of computer technology and software applications designs et al.

8. Our Target Market

Before starting our graphic design business, we are certain that there is a wide range of both corporate and individual clients who cannot successfully run their businesses without the services of graphic designers. As a matter of fact, without graphic designers branding, publications and animation industry will struggle.

In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various corporate organizations and individual who we know can’t afford to do without our services.

We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that all our graphic design services is well accepted in the marketplace. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically market our products and services to;

• Banks, Insurance Companies and other related Financial Institutions
• Blue Chips Companies
• Corporate Organizations
• Manufacturers and Distributors
• Real Estate Owners, Developers, and Contractors
• Research and Development Companies
• The Government (Public Sector)
• Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities)
• Sport Organizations
• Religious Organizations
• Political Parties
• Television Stations
• Printing Press (Publishing Houses) and Authors
• Branding and Advertising agencies
• Entrepreneurs and Start – Ups

Our Competitive Advantage

No doubt the competition in the graphic design industry is getting stiffer by the day, you have to be highly creative and come up with appealing designs and concepts in order to survive in the industry. The graphic design industry is indeed a very prolific and at the same time a highly competitive industry.

Clients will only hire your services if they know that they can get nothing but the best from you. We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the graphic design industry means that you are not only expected to be able to deliver consistent and highly creative designs, but you must be able to meet set targets.

No one would want to continue to hire your services if don’t always meet up with the target date of completion of projects.

Our competitive advantage lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of creative and highly proficient graphic designers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience various niche areas in the graphic design industry.

Aside from the synergy that exists in our carefully selected graphic artists our designs and services will be guided by best practices in the industry.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups graphic design businesses in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

Sources of Income

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the graphic design industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to meet and surpass the expectations of all our clients.

This is why one of the things that we have done is to identify the areas that we will source out startup funds from. Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio will generate income by offering the following graphic design related services;

10. Sales Forecast

Having good sales is one of the driving forces of our graphics designing business. This is why we are always taking time to do a proper forecast. We know that constantly doing this will help us sit up in the aspects where we may be found wanting.

One thing is certain; there would always be corporate organization and individual who would need the services of graphic design firms.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in graphic design industry and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow our graphic design company to enviable heights.

We have been able to critically examine the graphic design market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar startups in Baltimore – Maryland.

Below is the sales projection for Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio, it is based on the location of our business and of course the wide range of our services and target market;

• First Year-: $100,000
• Second Year-: $300,000
• Third Year-: $7500, 000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same graphic services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there is stiffer competition in the graphic design industry; hence we have been able to hire some of the best marketing experts to handle our sales and marketing.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experiences in the graphic design industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall business goal of Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio.

Our goal is to grow Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio and to become one of the top 10 graphic design studios in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the United States of America but also in other parts of the world.

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio are set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our graphic design company by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, religious organizations and key stake holders.
• Promptness in bidding for graphic design contracts from the government and other cooperate organizations
• Advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver excellent design and services
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients
• Offer Probono services to people who need graphics designing services.
• Hold free graphics training for people who might   want to learn.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our in house brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to become the number one choice for both corporate clients and individual clients in the whole of the United States and beyond which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our graphic design company. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our services
• Install our BillBoards on strategic locations all around Baltimore – Maryland.
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact corporate organizations by calling them up and informing them of Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio and the services we offer
• List our graphic design company in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise our graphic design company in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

At Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio we will keep the prices of our services below the average market rate for all of our customers by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance from corporate organizations who would hire our services. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to all our customers at regular intervals.

It is vital we do this so that we do not scare people away with our pricing. We are aware that there are some one-off jobs or government contracts which are always lucrative; we will ensure that we abide by the pricing model that is expected from contractors or organizations that bid for such contracts.

• Payment Options

At Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The materials and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a graphic design company; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. However, this is what it would cost us to setup Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio in the United of America;

• Business incorporation fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500
• Acquiring an office space or warehouse that will accommodate the number of employees for at least 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive to fit into the design of our graphic studio) will cost – $150,000.
• Equipping the office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, servers / internet facility, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $10,000
• Amount required to purchase the needed software applications – $ 3,500
• Launching an official Website will cost – $500
• Amount need to pay bills and staff members for at least 2 to 3 months – $70,000
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $5,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) U.S. dollars to successfully set – up a medium scale but standard graphic design company firm in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio is a business that will be owned by Louis Clinton and his friend and business partner for many years Levi Bradford. They are the sole financial of the business which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources. These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $85,000 and soft loan from family members $15,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is easier for businesses to survive when they have steady flow of business deals / customers patronizing their products and services. We are aware of this which is why we have decided to develop a various mobile apps for different clients and for different purposes.

We will also work with corporate clients to help them develop customized mobile apps for their business. We know that if we continue to come up with highly creative and unique graphic designs and excellent job delivery for both businesses and individual, there will be steady flow of income for the organization.

Our key sustainability and expansion strategy is to ensure that we only hire creative, competent and selfless graphic artists and cartoon and animation specialist, create a conducive working environment and employee benefits for our staff members.

In the nearest future, we will give our most dedicated and prolific employees the opportunity to be part owner of the business. We know that if we implement our business strategies, we will achieve our business goals and objectives in record time.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Securing a standard office facility for our studio: Completed
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founders: Completed
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of Logo for the business: Completed
• Secure trademark for our products: In Progress
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, office equipment, software applications, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the business: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in various industries: In Progress

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How to Start a Graphic Design Business: 16 Do's and Don'ts from the Pros

By Jess Scherman on 03/27/2018

Many up-and-coming graphic designers spend years working for various agencies or taking one-off freelance projects here and there before realizing their ultimate goal is to start their own business. It can feel like those first few years of experience have properly primed you to take full ownership of your career in this way—but do you really know what it takes to build and successfully run your own small business

It has been reported that eight of every 10 entrepreneurs who start their own small businesses fail within the first 18 months . So how can you ensure that you’re one of the few small-business hopefuls who finds success as you venture into this excitingly uncharted territory?

Whether you’re ready to start your own business today or just have some long-term ambitions, it’s good to know some of the common pitfalls—and the smart moves to avoid them—when starting a graphic design business. We consulted a handful of design professionals to learn their secrets for keeping a new graphic design business afloat and building it up to eventually achieve industry success. Take a look at their must-have list of do’s and don’ts for all design hopefuls.

16 Expert do’s & don’ts for starting a graphic design business

1. do remember your work has value.

One of the most prominent lessons many seasoned designers wish they knew starting out is how to value the price of their work to avoid getting sucked into a cycle of undercharging. “Know your value and stick to it,” encourages Bonnie Bryant O’Connor, owner of Bonnie Bryant Creative . Bryant says she understands the temptation to do work at cut-rate prices as you’re starting out, but you’ll quickly learn that cheap clients can rapidly drain your time, energy and talent.

“Do not undersell yourself because you’re ‘just starting out,’ and do not take work for referrals,” agrees Jill Caren, owner of 2 Dogs Design . “Be strong and confident in your work and charge a fair rate. Bringing on clients who minimize your value will never benefit you.”

2. DON’T underestimate the power of a strong portfolio

Once you’ve built up a stable list of clientele, client reviews and referrals will go a long way in securing you additional new work. But until you reach that level in your business, your portfolio is going to have to speak for itself.

Treat your portfolio as an opportunity to not only showcase your best work, but to also clearly display the diverse range of projects you’ve worked on—versatility can be valued just as highly as inherent skills in the design industry. If you haven’t garnered enough work for a robust portfolio in your current design experience, Carlos Williams, founder of DBC , suggests doing some pro bono work for a nonprofit or other small, local organization.

3. DO craft a business plan early on

Dennis Michael, owner and visual problem solver at Wake Creative , urges anyone who’s looking to start a graphic design business to understand that doing so means you’ll become both a graphic designer and a business owner. “This means you need to balance business development and design work at the same time,” he explains. “You cannot stay behind your computer and hope people come knocking. You need to network, connect, sell and market yourself.”

O’Connor agrees. “Make sure to let people know you’re open for business and have a marketing plan in place,” she says, suggesting up-and-coming designers showcase their work through well-curated Instagram accounts, impactful e-blasts and potentially even paid advertising on social media platforms if you can swing it. “No one’s going to hire you if they don’t know who you are and what you do.”

4. DON’T expect instant success

If there’s one thing you can all but expect, it’s that business will likely seem pretty lean in the early years. “You will have months where no revenue is coming in,” Michael ensures. He encourages all new business owners to have a plan in place for these moments so you’re able to keep your head above water, and to always persist. “If you can make it into years three, five or beyond, then you have something special.”

5. DO find a mentor

Whether you feel you’re lacking in terms of design skill or business savvy, it can be helpful to connect with a more seasoned professional you respect and from whom you’d like to learn. Those who have walked a similar path before you have invaluable insight that can spare you from or prepare you for a number of challenges many face starting out.

“A mentor can be a great asset to help you understand how to properly set up your business, understand the legal side of things and bring you a sense of security when you have questions,” Caren says. She suggests contacting a local SCORE office if you need help connecting with potential mentors in your field.

6. DON’T do work just for the exposure

Whether it’s a client that wants you to do spec (free) work or it’s a project you really don’t feel passionate about, O’Connor urges young designers to resist the urge to do work just for the exposure. “If it’s a big company or organization, then they absolutely have money in their marketing budget to pay you,” she explains. It’s also true that taking on projects that don’t excite you could both dull your senses of creativity while also potentially marketing you as a type of designer you’re not.

7. DO be authentic

“Taking control of your own creative work is the best reason to start a graphic design business,” Williams says. “You get to choose the type of work you do and who you work with.” Gaining the ability to have a say in the projects you take on is one of the primary reasons designers strive to establish their own brands.

This is why it can be important to firmly establish your design aesthetic early on. Even when you’re desperate for work, remaining authentic to your personal design mission can ensure you are set on the right path to continue doing the type of work you desire to do.

8. DON’T lose sight of your “why”

One thing Ellie Anne Dote, founder and owner of EllieGirl Creations , wishes she would have grasped more firmly when she was just starting out is the importance of maintaining her ultimate reason for owning her own business. “It’s not enough to just know the industry and figure you can be successful at it,” she says. “You need to know why you do what you do and let your work be an outflowing of that.”

Dote argues that if you don’t know why you’re designing, you’re setting yourself up for the possibility of being ripped apart by the latest trends, social pressures and design opinions.

9. DO trust your instincts

All self-starters know that making mistakes is part of the game—what’s most important is that you learn from them. “Listen to your gut and be confident in your decision making,” says Danielle Becker, founder and creative director of Lefty’s Right Mind .

Becker argues that both artistry and business are largely instinctual. “When you are a full-time employee, sales, finances, health insurance and all of that other ‘fun’ stuff is taken care of for you. Running your own company leaves you completely exposed,” she explains. Stepping out of your comfort zone in this way can be intimidating, but if you trust your instincts and learn from any mistakes you make, you’ll then become more well-rounded, both as a designer and an entrepreneur.

10. DON’T say yes to every project

“When I started my business, I was so desperate to make it that I was willing to take any job that came my way, no matter how small and whether I enjoyed it or not,” Dote says. “Because I was busy chasing after so many smaller projects, I missed larger opportunities and found myself taking on projects that didn’t fit with what I had intentionally set out to do.”

While you certainly want to stay busy in the early days of owning your own business, you should still be careful to keep your eye tuned toward the future and make sure the decisions you’re making in the short-term will benefit you in the long-term as well.

11. DO find your specialty or niche

You don’t need us to tell you that graphic designers can offer a wide range of services to clients. With such a large pool of potential projects and an indisputably deep well of prospective clients, you’ll be doing yourself some huge favors if you’re able to establish your specialty and your niche target market early on.

“While many designers can do anything from designing logos to rebranding websites to retouching photos, it’s key when starting your own business to survey what you like doing most, what others have mentioned you do particularly well and whether those services are things for which the current market is willing to pay,” says Angela Martin, speaker and owner of Defining Success Coaching . Becoming known as an expert in a few key areas, she adds, will undoubtedly help bring in more business.

12. DON’T pigeonhole your client base

As helpful as it can be to find your niche early on, up-and-coming business owners should also be mindful when it comes to diversifying your clientele. “Build various revenue channels, such as business-to-business, nonprofits and agency work,” suggests Rob Satrom, owner of FeedbackWrench .

This can also mean subcontracting for some projects while sourcing your own clients for others. Satrom encourages designers to find agencies you can subcontract for—such as SEO companies, digital marketing organizations or social media teams—while simultaneously working hard to have your own clients coming in.

13. DO familiarize yourself with copywriting

If you’re really hoping to expand the power of your design work, Josh Meah, founder of Mindset Market , encourages designers to familiarize yourself with copywriting best practices. “This will give your work a degree of power, creativity and consistency that few other professionals will be able to compete with,” he says. “It will also teach you how to sell almost anything.”

14. DON’T do any work without a contract

While this one may seem obvious, its importance cannot be overstated. “Don’t do anything without a contract,” Caren urges. “We have had clients take our work and not pay us. If we did not have a contract, we would have been out of luck.”

Signed written contracts exist for both the protection of your business and your client, Martin explains. “The most important elements on that contract are the list of deliverables, key dates in the timeline and payment terms,” she says, adding that if a client increases or decreases the scope of work after a contract has been signed, you’ll want to amend the document and acquire the appropriate signatures before moving forward.

15. DO good

All creatives find themselves doing work for clients with whom they feel little connection. In fact, many view this as a challenge, tasking themselves with creating something great and transforming the project into something they can feel passionate about. But if you have time to spare, it can be worth it to donate your services to a nearby charity or local grassroots organization.

“Donate your time to a cause you are passionate about, and you will see it come back to you,” Caren says. “This is a great way to push your design limits, build up your portfolio and just be a great business owner! It will not go unnoticed.”

16. DON’T quit your day job… yet

“Design is wonderful in that you can do it from anywhere at any time,” Williams says. It can be tempting to go all-in when you first establish your budding graphic design business, but that can turn out to be a risky business move in the long-run.

“If you have a job already, start developing clients as a side hustle and do the work at nights and on weekends,” he suggests. “Sure, your personal life will take a hit. But your bank account will thank you later when you quit your job with savings and a client roster.”

Are you ready to start your graphic design business?

Use the advice of our seasoned design professionals as a metaphorical compass as you venture closer toward your goal of starting your own graphic design business. As you take the necessary steps toward making this dream a reality, you’ll want to be sure you continue polishing the skills you’ll need as a business owner.

You’ll learn quickly that the importance of a customer’s experience cannot be overstated in any industry, especially as a small business owner whose early success will rely heavily on positive referrals from satisfied clients. With that in mind, don’t let your preparations stop here. Learn more about fostering positive client interactions by visiting our article, “ Your One-Stop Shop for Communicating with Design Clients .”

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About the author

Jess Scherman

Jess is a Content Specialist at Collegis Education. She researches and writes articles on behalf of Rasmussen University to help empower students to achieve their career dreams through higher education.

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How to Start a Small Business in 10 Steps

Learn how to start a small business from scratch with expert guidance. Get essential tips and steps for launching your dream journey successfully.

Brett Grossfeld

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Do you have a killer idea that you think would be perfect for launching a small business? If you believe what you see on TikTok, becoming an entrepreneur is just about as easy as posting a 30-second video. But in the real world, launching a small business can be a bit more challenging.

Starting a small business may seem daunting, but if you ask those same business owners if it’s worth the risk — few would trade the opportunity to shape their own destiny.

But where to start? Thankfully, you don’t need to have everything figured out before going out on your own. Successful small business owners are constantly learning from their mistakes — and improving their ideas and dreams along the way.

If you’re ready to take the leap and become a small business owner, keep reading.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

What is a small business, how much does it cost to start a small business, how to start a small business in 10 steps, what do you need to start a small business, start small — but think big.

Small businesses are generally defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as independent operations having fewer than 200 employees. And the majority of small businesses in the United States have fewer than five employees, according to the U.S. Census Bureau . 

But the number — or lack — of employees doesn’t necessarily define a “small business.” A business’s size can also be determined by the number of sales, the range of individual business locations, and other factors.

Along with size requirements, the SBA considers a company to be small if it’s:

• Independently owned and operated
• Not dominant in its field
• Physically located and operated in the U.S. (or a U.S. territory)

If your company meets the SBA’s definition of a small business, many government programs offer resources and local assistance for you to turn your dreams into reality.

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If you’re skilled in a certain trade — say, bookkeeping — you can launch a business with almost no money . But if your idea needs to be fleshed out and developed by researchers, scientists, and engineers, your startup costs can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and beyond. But most startup costs fall somewhere in the middle. 

Factors that influence cost

A sole proprietor working from home is going to have very different startup costs than a Silicon Valley startup flush with venture capital funds. But it doesn’t matter if you have $1,000 or $1 million to launch your small business — you’ll need to have a budget.

Are you moving the clutter out of your garage to make room for a desk? Or are you going to hire an architect to remodel a warehouse space in a trendy neighborhood? Obviously, both businesses are going to have wildly different expenses.

Think about your budget and what you can afford to get started. And it’s good to assume that unexpected expenses will pop up along the way — especially in your first year of business.

What kinds of costs to expect

The SBA has a worksheet that will help you calculate typical expenses for a small business, including one-time expenses such as:

• Rent : This includes security deposit, first month’s rent and utilities. If you’re working from home, you can deduct a percentage of your rent or mortgage on your taxes .
• Improvement costs: Anything that you might spend on your physical place of business to make it suitable for work.
• Inventory : If you’re selling a product, you’ll need goods to keep up with customer demand.
• Employees : This includes payroll, payroll taxes, and health insurance.
• Professional services: Accountants, lawyers, and consultants will all need to be paid
• Supplies : Think office supplies, such as paper and pencils, and operating supplies, like computers and printers.
• Marketing: Business cards, stationery, flyers, and advertising all fall under this category.
• Miscellaneous : This includes licenses, permits, legal fees, signage, technology, and accounting software. Everything else — liability insurance, repairs, maintenance, and dues.

The most difficult part of starting a small business is committing to your vision. It’s easier if you break down the process into small, achievable goals. Here are 10 steps that will get you on your way:

1. Do your research

If you don’t do basic market research before you launch your business, you may be down for the count before you even get started. Ask neighbors, friends, and even your barista if they would be interested in your product or service — and ask how much they’d be willing to pay for it. 

Conduct competitor research, local and global searches, and even offer surveys to consumers to see what the need versus want ratio is. 

2. Write a business plan

A business plan is your roadmap; it helps guide you as you start and grow your company. If you need capital to get started, most investors will want to review a business plan before they commit to any financing. 

To organize your ideas, download and fill out a business plan template . A well-written business plan provides clarity, confirms the math, and helps you establish goals so your business has the best chance of success.

3. Choose a business name

Finding the perfect brand name is a vital step in launching a new business. But hiring a professional naming company doesn’t come cheap — it can cost as much as $100,000 , according to Fast Company. 

If that’s outside your budget, there are countless AI-powered business name generators available online, and Fiverr has entrepreneurs who will help brainstorm business names for three figures or less.

4. Decide on your location

Take a look at the taxes, zoning laws, and regulations in your location. You may find that operating your business in a different location could offer financial advantages. Review the fees, costs, and tax benefits of each state to see which location makes the most sense for your business . A strategic move may put you ahead of the game before you even open the doors.

5. Get your finances in order

Startup costs discourage many would-be entrepreneurs, but the reality is that many successful businesses got started with little more than a vision, discipline, and hard work. However, if you really need cash for that newly opened business bank account, here are four ways of getting that money:

• Self-funding: If you have the means, you may use your own earnings to kickstart your business or see out financial counsel to work it into your budget.
• Outside investors: For a stake in your company, relatives or venture capitalists may be willing to invest in your business.
• Small business loans: If you want to keep full ownership of your business, a small business loan may be the way to go.
• Crowdfunding: If you’re feeling creative and confident, try sites such as Kickstarter or GoFundMe to generate capital.

6. Take care of the legal stuff

Register your business in the state where it was formed — and make sure that you’re set up to pay state income and unemployment tax. Review whether your local municipality requires filing for a license or permit to operate your business. 

To satisfy Uncle Sam, apply for an EIN from the IRS . Confirm that no one else is using your business name by contacting your state filing office or online database. Some business structures require using a doing business as (DBA) name, and you may be required to open a business bank account.

7. Develop a marketing plan

Once you have a terrific name for your company locked down, you’ll want to create an online presence for your business. Be consistent on your social media channels , ideally creating accounts on the channels — meeting them online where they are. 

Develop a website that’s intuitive and filled with all the information your customers need. Your marketing may also include advertising campaigns and public relations.

8. Set up your CRM software

To enhance your marketing efforts and grow your small business, try customer relationship management ( CRM) for Small Business . This will be your solution for storing and managing prospect and customer information such as contact information, accounts, leads, and sales opportunities — all in one single source of truth. 

With Salesforce’s Starter Suite , you can start in minutes and easily manage your marketing, sales, and customer service as your business scales.

9. Launch your product or service

Congratulations: You’ve done all the hard work and you’re ready to introduce your product to the world. Make sure to announce your launch on social media — and consider throwing a media-friendly bash to celebrate.

10. Keep your customers happy

When you use CRM software, you can keep track and personalize support for all your customers. And happy customers are good for business — 80% of them say the experience a company provides is just as important as its products or services .

The United States has more than 33 million small businesses, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , and that number represents 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. And most of those small businesses started the same way — with an entrepreneur and an idea. But it takes more than just a dream to launch a small business.

So, where to start?

It’s time to take some notes. First, start outlining your business plan. If you’re stuck, ask yourself these four questions when developing your plan :

• Goals : What do you need to accomplish to achieve your vision?
• Methods : What are the steps you need to follow to get you there?
• Measurements : How will you determine when each objective has been met?
• Obstacles : What could throw you off course along the way?

Once you’ve written a business plan and are feeling confident, you’re ready to establish:

A name for your business

A great business name should succinctly identify your company and its audience. Brainstorm and get feedback from friends, family, and potential customers. And before you fall in love with your new company name, make sure that an established business in your industry isn’t already using that name.

A location for your business

Choosing where to conduct business is one of the most important decisions you can make for your small business. While staying close to home may be your first instinct, a change of venue may prove to be financially advantageous.

A business structure

For tax purposes and protection of personal assets, you need to choose a business structure that offers the right balance of legal protections and benefits. Common business structures include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, and cooperative.

A legal presence

If you want personal liability protection, legal protection, and tax benefits for your company, you’ll need to register your business with state and local governments.

Federal and state tax ID numbers

Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) works like a personal Social Security number, but for your business. You need an EIN to pay state and federal taxes for your company.

Licenses and permits

Whether your business needs to apply — and pay for — licenses and permits depends on your business activities, location, and government rules. Review regulations from city, state, and federal agencies.

A business bank account

Opening up a bank account exclusively for business use will help keep your personal finances separate, making life easier at tax time. There are several banks that will allow you to open a business checking account with a zero balance, but traditionally banks will require an opening deposit of anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000.

Start-up funds

Even if you open a business checking account with a zero balance, you’re going to want to have some funds to cover basic operating expenses. The SBA offers guidance on obtaining funding for your small business, including loans, grants, and investors.

Starting a new business may feel like a gamble, but business insurance will help you cover your bet. The right insurance policy will help protect you against accidents, natural disasters, and lawsuits.

You should also consider:

Customer relationship management

A CRM platform keeps your customer data organized and provides the foundation to build connected customer experiences (that can be made even better through artificial intelligence). Starting with a suite of sales, service, marketing, and commerce tools is easy.

Invoice and billing software

While it is possible to keep track of your financial records on a traditional paper ledger, modern invoice and billing software makes the process much, much easier.

A graphic designer

A well-designed logo can make or break a business. The Nike “swoosh” was created by a graphic design student — and the $35 Nike initially spent paid for itself many times over.

Many small businesses exist with just a presence on social media, but having a professionally designed website adds legitimacy to your business.

Marketing experts

Like graphic design, marketing expenses are costs that many small business owners initially want to avoid. But strategically investing in a marketing campaign can be a boon for a small business that wants to make noise in a crowded marketplace.

A Human Resources department

Once your business grows to a certain size, it’s time to create a human resources (HR) department — or, at least, to hire an HR professional. This professional can focus on things such as labor law compliance, employee recruitment, employee engagement and development, and compensation and benefits management while you manage your business.

An assistant

For most small businesses starting out, hiring an assistant to perform administrative and clerical duties is something of a luxury. If your budget is tight, consider a virtual assistant .

What are some popular small business ideas?

If you have a unique idea for a small business, great. But some of the best small business ideas build on your strengths and experience. What do you love to do? What lights you up when you are helping the community? Do you have a pull to do something more?

What are the odds that my small business will succeed?

Starting a small business is no guarantee of success. Approximately 80% of small businesses survive their first year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The survival rate decreases to 50% after five years and 30% after 10 years.

What are some Fortune 500 companies that started small?

Not all big companies started with millions of dollars in venture capital. Some of America’s biggest brand names had far more modest beginnings . Apple famously got started in a Silicon Valley garage, while Mattel was building dollhouse furniture from picture frame scraps in its early days.

What are the most business-friendly states?

Before setting up shop in New York or California, consider launching your small business in North Dakota, Indiana, Arkansas, South Dakota, or North Carolina. These states offer the best conditions to start a business , according to Forbes Advisor.

What can I deduct for my small business at tax time?

(Almost) everyone knows that you can deduct entertainment and travel expenses as a small business owner. But you can also deduct software subscriptions, office furniture, and interest on small business loans, according to NerdWallet .

Taking the leap to start your own small business is just the first step on your entrepreneurial path. But you’re in good company. Nearly half of all U.S. employees are employed by a small business — and more than 80% of those small businesses are solo ventures , according to Forbes Advisor. There’s no better time than the present to start turning your dreams into reality.

Want to grow your new small business? Sign up for a Salesforce free trial .

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Brett Grossfeld is a Product Marketing Manager supporting Salesforce's CRM, data, and AI tools. He's written for multiple websites across various industries and interests, including tech, wellness, and modern customer experiences.

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Lenovo IdeaPad 1i Laptop for Business and Students 2024 Newest, 15.6" FHD Display, Intel-Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 S, with Gaming Mouse

Lenovo Flex 6

8GB RAM | 512GB SSD

16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

24GB RAM | 1TB SSD

40GB RAM | 1TB SSD

40GB RAM | 2TB SSD

Lenovo 500E Chromebook

Purchase options and add-ons

About this item.

• 【Powerful Performance】Experience a boost in productivity with the Lenovo IdeaPad 1i Business Laptop powered by an Intel-Core i5-1235U processor. With 10 cores, clocking up to 4.4GHz, and 12 threads, tackle demanding tasks effortlessly. Enhanced by Intel Iris Xe Graphics, enjoy smooth visuals and efficient multitasking for work and entertainment.
• 【Vivid Display】Immerse yourself in a vibrant 15.6" FHD display with a resolution of 1920x1080. The TN panel delivers crisp visuals, while the anti-glare feature ensures a glare-free viewing experience even in well-lit environments. Whether you're working on spreadsheets or enjoying multimedia content, the display enhances every detail.
• 【Versatile Memory and Storage Options】Tailor your laptop's performance to your needs with up to 40GB of DDR4 RAM. Experience swift application handling and smooth multitasking. The laptop offers extensive storage options with up to 2TB SSD, providing ample space for your files, applications, and multimedia content.
• 【Enhanced Connectivity】Safeguard your privacy with the built-in HD 720p webcam featuring a Privacy Shutter. Enjoy secure video calls and meetings without compromising your personal space. Stay connected seamlessly with Wi-Fi 6 (11ax 2x2) and Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring a fast and reliable connection for online tasks and communication.
• 【Versatile Usage Scenarios】Whether you're a professional on the go, a content creator, or a student, the Lenovo laptop adapts to your usage scenarios. From content creation to productivity tasks, its powerful features and stunning display make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, ensuring you're equipped for any scenario life throws at you.

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Product information

Technical details, additional information, warranty & support, product description.

Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY. If the computer has modifications, then the manufacturer box is opened for it to be tested and inspected and to install the upgrades to achieve the specifications as advertised.

Brand: Lenovo

Series: Lenovo IdeaPad 1i

Processor: Intel-Core i5-1235U

Operating System: Windows 11 Home in S mode

Processor Model Number: 1235U

Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics

Graphics Type: ‎ Integrated

Processor Core: 10-core

Processor Brand: Intel

Screen Size: 15.6 inches

Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Type of Memory (RAM): DDR4

Memory: UP to 40 GB RAM

Storage Type: SSD

Storage: Up to 2TB SSD

Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth

Color: Cloud Grey

Ports & Slots:

1 x USB 2.0

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1

1 x USB-C® 3.2 Gen 1 (support data transfer only)

1 x HDMI® 1.4b

1 x Card reader

1 x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm)

1 x Power connector

Product Dimensions: 14.17 x 9.29 x 0.70 Inches

Weight: 3.52 lb

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the performance, quality, sturdiness, size and ease of use of the notebook computer. For example, they mention it works fast, has good internals and that it fits inside their backpack. They appreciate the color. That said, some complain about the wifi connection and have mixed opinions on value.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the performance of the laptop. They mention it works fast, is responsive, and has good speed for the price. Some say the track pad is responsive.

"...4GB Ram, 32GB internal storage. This is good enough for the average user who creates google docs/sheets,presentations, writing emails, playing games..." Read more

"...I just didn’t know what a chromebook could do. It’s fast , it has access to the games she likes, I have not heard her complaining about lag or freezes..." Read more

"...I bought it refurbished and so far, so good. It works as it was brand new ...." Read more

"...over the lack of a track point pretty quickly because the track pad is so responsive , and I think the finicky touch registration is getting better..." Read more

Customers like the quality of the laptop. They mention it's an excellent product, with a good keyboard, display, and touch screen. The build quality is as strong as you'd expect from Lenovo, and the keyboard feels substantial. Some say that the laptop has never been damaged.

"...it's a very well built chromebook with great internals for a beginner to an intermediate user...." Read more

"...The build quality is as strong as you'd expect from Lenovo, and I'm thrilled to be able to type comfortably absolutely anywhere with it on my lap...." Read more

"...3. The quality of the keyboard , display, and touch screen are good enough but not super- this reflects the compromises that go into making an..." Read more

"It is a great product and I works well. This is 9 months that I have had it!..." Read more

Customers like the sturdiness of the notebook computer. They mention it's solid, reliable, and has a strong wifi antenna.

"...adult (I’ll be honest and admit I am a little bit), it's a very well built chromebook with great internals for a beginner to an intermediate user...." Read more

"...👍 bomb proof screen👍 It’s been a couple months and this thing has held up great !..." Read more

"...Yoga 720/730 are very fragile .Performance nearly identical to YOGA 720-13ikb w i5-8250U - but one less fan installed in the FlexWHAT!? -..." Read more

"...The wifi antenna is strong and even in a distant room in my house where my phone struggles to pick up the signal, the tablet has no issues..." Read more

Customers like the size of the notebook computer. They say it's small, compact, and easy to use. They also appreciate the keyboard's size and the fact that it fits inside their backpack. Some mention that the laptop is fast, sleek, and light weight.

"... Keyboard is the perfect size with keys spaced out very well...." Read more

"...she started using it- she told me it was the best thing ever- the size was perfect because she could easily carry it from room to room- on top of..." Read more

"...has done everything right from its enclosure to the little to no bloatware within windows ...." Read more

"...Was used to a chromebook and this is the best. Just the perfect size . 11.6" Read more

Customers find the notebook computer easy to use. They mention that it's convenient, speedy, and light. They're also pleased with how easy it is to set up the Crostini environment and run some of their favorite apps. Additionally, the 360-degree hinge makes it easy to switch to tablet mode.

"...4. As a Linux user, I was very pleased with how easy it was to set up the Crostini environment and run some of my favorite Linux apps on the..." Read more

"...extra for a higher quality stylus/interface might give her another, easy to use , device for digital art (we have a Wacom device already)...." Read more

"I love chrome because it is so easy to use . Came with all my things on it and I just had to sync it. Got one with Windows 10 first and hated it...." Read more

"...Works fast and it’s so sleek and easy to use " Read more

Customers are satisfied with the color of the notebook computer. They mention that it looks good, has a bright screen, and has great colors. Some are also pleased with the screen resolution and color.

"...- Screen is bright - 720p, great colors and the touch screen is pretty good. You need to get used to the touch screen...." Read more

"...have it set on about half brightness and am very pleased with the screen resolution and color ...." Read more

"...I am so happy with my purchase!Works fast and it’s so sleek and easy to use" Read more

"Perfect and very responsive. Fast, sleek and light weight. I can utilize multiple tabs simultaneously and lightning speeds" Read more

Customers are mixed about the value of the notebook computer. Some mention it's a great value, while others say it'll be a waste of money. Some are disappointed with the cheap AC adaptor.

"...The price is amazing for what I got...." Read more

"...Very disappointed with the cheap AC adaptor . No support for C port charging of Yoga 720/730 nor the robust ThinkPad rectangular connectors...." Read more

"...iPad with a magnetic keyboard and find this MUCH more versatile and affordable . Bravo, Lenovo!" Read more

"...This product has been defunk since I bought it. WASTE OF MONEY . Do not buy." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the wifi connection of the notebook computer. They mention that it disconnects from wifi constantly, will not stay connected to the internet, and drops connection consistently. Some complain that there is no ethernet port.

"The wifi comes and goes , and there is no ethernet port. Also, it will occasionally blue screen, then restart...." Read more

"Worst purchase I have ever made. The computer disconnects from wifi constantly . I cannot work more than 5 mins on the computer with disconnecting...." Read more

"Do not get this laptop. It has an issue where the wifi will just disconnect without warning and it constantly happens...." Read more

"...Seriously, this things drops connection like a baby drops a rattle!" Read more

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