product business plan ideas

550+ Business Plan Examples to Launch Your Business

Need help writing your business plan? Explore over 550 industry-specific business plan examples for inspiration.

Find your business plan example

Accounting, Insurance & Compliance Business Plans

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Children & Pets Business Plans

• Children's Education & Recreation
• View All 33

Cleaning, Repairs & Maintenance Business Plans

• Auto Detail & Repair
• Cleaning Products
• View All 39

Clothing & Fashion Brand Business Plans

• Clothing & Fashion Design
• View All 26

Construction, Architecture & Engineering Business Plans

• Architecture
• Construction
• View All 46

Consulting, Advertising & Marketing Business Plans

• Advertising
• View All 54

Education Business Plans

• Education Consulting
• Education Products

Business plan template: There's an easier way to get your business plan done.

Entertainment & Recreation Business Plans

• Entertainment
• Film & Television
• View All 60

Events Business Plans

• Event Planning
• View All 17

Farm & Agriculture Business Plans

• Agri-tourism
• Agriculture Consulting
• View All 16

Finance & Investing Business Plans

• Financial Planning
• View All 10

Fine Art & Crafts Business Plans

Fitness & Beauty Business Plans

• Salon & Spa
• View All 36

Food and Beverage Business Plans

• Bar & Brewery
• View All 77

Hotel & Lodging Business Plans

• Bed and Breakfast

IT, Staffing & Customer Service Business Plans

• Administrative Services
• Customer Service
• View All 22

Manufacturing & Wholesale Business Plans

• Cleaning & Cosmetics Manufacturing
• View All 68

Medical & Health Business Plans

• Dental Practice
• Health Administration
• View All 41

Nonprofit Business Plans

• Co-op Nonprofit
• Food & Housing Nonprofit
• View All 13

Real Estate & Rentals Business Plans

• Equipment Rental

Retail & Ecommerce Business Plans

• Car Dealership
• View All 116

Technology Business Plans

• Apps & Software
• Communication Technology

Transportation, Travel & Logistics Business Plans

• Airline, Taxi & Shuttle
• View All 62

View all sample business plans

Example business plan format

Before you start exploring our library of business plan examples, it's worth taking the time to understand the traditional business plan format . You'll find that the plans in this library and most investor-approved business plans will include the following sections:

Executive summary

The executive summary is an overview of your business and your plans. It comes first in your plan and is ideally only one to two pages. You should also plan to write this section last after you've written your full business plan.

Your executive summary should include a summary of the problem you are solving, a description of your product or service, an overview of your target market, a brief description of your team, a summary of your financials, and your funding requirements (if you are raising money).

Products & services

The products & services chapter of your business plan is where the real meat of your plan lives. It includes information about the problem that you're solving, your solution, and any traction that proves that it truly meets the need you identified.

This is your chance to explain why you're in business and that people care about what you offer. It needs to go beyond a simple product or service description and get to the heart of why your business works and benefits your customers.

Market analysis

Conducting a market analysis ensures that you fully understand the market that you're entering and who you'll be selling to. This section is where you will showcase all of the information about your potential customers. You'll cover your target market as well as information about the growth of your market and your industry. Focus on outlining why the market you're entering is viable and creating a realistic persona for your ideal customer base.

Competition

Part of defining your opportunity is determining what your competitive advantage may be. To do this effectively you need to get to know your competitors just as well as your target customers. Every business will have competition, if you don't then you're either in a very young industry or there's a good reason no one is pursuing this specific venture.

To succeed, you want to be sure you know who your competitors are, how they operate, necessary financial benchmarks, and how you're business will be positioned. Start by identifying who your competitors are or will be during your market research. Then leverage competitive analysis tools like the competitive matrix and positioning map to solidify where your business stands in relation to the competition.

Marketing & sales

The marketing and sales plan section of your business plan details how you plan to reach your target market segments. You'll address how you plan on selling to those target markets, what your pricing plan is, and what types of activities and partnerships you need to make your business a success.

The operations section covers the day-to-day workflows for your business to deliver your product or service. What's included here fully depends on the type of business. Typically you can expect to add details on your business location, sourcing and fulfillment, use of technology, and any partnerships or agreements that are in place.

Milestones & metrics

The milestones section is where you lay out strategic milestones to reach your business goals.

A good milestone clearly lays out the parameters of the task at hand and sets expectations for its execution. You'll want to include a description of the task, a proposed due date, who is responsible, and eventually a budget that's attached. You don't need extensive project planning in this section, just key milestones that you want to hit and when you plan to hit them.

You should also discuss key metrics, which are the numbers you will track to determine your success. Some common data points worth tracking include conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, profit, etc.

Company & team

Use this section to describe your current team and who you need to hire. If you intend to pursue funding, you'll need to highlight the relevant experience of your team members. Basically, this is where you prove that this is the right team to successfully start and grow the business. You will also need to provide a quick overview of your legal structure and history if you're already up and running.

Financial projections

Your financial plan should include a sales and revenue forecast, profit and loss statement, cash flow statement, and a balance sheet. You may not have established financials of any kind at this stage. Not to worry, rather than getting all of the details ironed out, focus on making projections and strategic forecasts for your business. You can always update your financial statements as you begin operations and start bringing in actual accounting data.

Now, if you intend to pitch to investors or submit a loan application, you'll also need a "use of funds" report in this section. This outlines how you intend to leverage any funding for your business and how much you're looking to acquire. Like the rest of your financials, this can always be updated later on.

The appendix isn't a required element of your business plan. However, it is a useful place to add any charts, tables, definitions, legal notes, or other critical information that supports your plan. These are often lengthier or out-of-place information that simply didn't work naturally into the structure of your plan. You'll notice that in these business plan examples, the appendix mainly includes extended financial statements.

Types of business plans explained

While all business plans cover similar categories, the style and function fully depend on how you intend to use your plan. To get the most out of your plan, it's best to find a format that suits your needs. Here are a few common business plan types worth considering.

Traditional business plan

The tried-and-true traditional business plan is a formal document meant to be used for external purposes. Typically this is the type of plan you'll need when applying for funding or pitching to investors. It can also be used when training or hiring employees, working with vendors, or in any other situation where the full details of your business must be understood by another individual.

Business model canvas

The business model canvas is a one-page template designed to demystify the business planning process. It removes the need for a traditional, copy-heavy business plan, in favor of a single-page outline that can help you and outside parties better explore your business idea.

The structure ditches a linear format in favor of a cell-based template. It encourages you to build connections between every element of your business. It's faster to write out and update, and much easier for you, your team, and anyone else to visualize your business operations.

One-page business plan

The true middle ground between the business model canvas and a traditional business plan is the one-page business plan . This format is a simplified version of the traditional plan that focuses on the core aspects of your business.

By starting with a one-page plan , you give yourself a minimal document to build from. You'll typically stick with bullet points and single sentences making it much easier to elaborate or expand sections into a longer-form business plan.

Growth planning

Growth planning is more than a specific type of business plan. It's a methodology. It takes the simplicity and styling of the one-page business plan and turns it into a process for you to continuously plan, forecast, review, and refine based on your performance.

It holds all of the benefits of the single-page plan, including the potential to complete it in as little as 27 minutes . However, it's even easier to convert into a more detailed plan thanks to how heavily it's tied to your financials. The overall goal of growth planning isn't to just produce documents that you use once and shelve. Instead, the growth planning process helps you build a healthier company that thrives in times of growth and remain stable through times of crisis.

It's faster, keeps your plan concise, and ensures that your plan is always up-to-date.

Download a free sample business plan template

Ready to start writing your own plan but aren't sure where to start? Download our free business plan template that's been updated for 2024.

This simple, modern, investor-approved business plan template is designed to make planning easy. It's a proven format that has helped over 1 million businesses write business plans for bank loans, funding pitches, business expansion, and even business sales. It includes additional instructions for how to write each section and is formatted to be SBA-lender approved. All you need to do is fill in the blanks.

How to use an example business plan to help you write your own

How do you know what elements need to be included in your business plan, especially if you've never written one before? Looking at examples can help you visualize what a full, traditional plan looks like, so you know what you're aiming for before you get started. Here's how to get the most out of a sample business plan.

Choose a business plan example from a similar type of company

You don't need to find an example business plan that's an exact fit for your business. Your business location, target market, and even your particular product or service may not match up exactly with the plans in our gallery. But, you don't need an exact match for it to be helpful. Instead, look for a plan that's related to the type of business you're starting.

For example, if you want to start a vegetarian restaurant, a plan for a steakhouse can be a great match. While the specifics of your actual startup will differ, the elements you'd want to include in your restaurant's business plan are likely to be very similar.

Use a business plan example as a guide

Every startup and small business is unique, so you'll want to avoid copying an example business plan word for word. It just won't be as helpful, since each business is unique. You want your plan to be a useful tool for starting a business —and getting funding if you need it.

One of the key benefits of writing a business plan is simply going through the process. When you sit down to write, you'll naturally think through important pieces, like your startup costs, your target market , and any market analysis or research you'll need to do to be successful.

You'll also look at where you stand among your competition (and everyone has competition), and lay out your goals and the milestones you'll need to meet. Looking at an example business plan's financials section can be helpful because you can see what should be included, but take them with a grain of salt. Don't assume that financial projections for a sample company will fit your own small business.

If you're looking for more resources to help you get started, our business planning guide is a good place to start. You can also download our free business plan template .

Think of business planning as a process, instead of a document

Think about business planning as something you do often , rather than a document you create once and never look at again. If you take the time to write a plan that really fits your own company, it will be a better, more useful tool to grow your business. It should also make it easier to share your vision and strategy so everyone on your team is on the same page.

Adjust your plan regularly to use it as a business management tool

Keep in mind that businesses that use their plan as a management tool to help run their business grow 30 percent faster than those businesses that don't. For that to be true for your company, you'll think of a part of your business planning process as tracking your actual results against your financial forecast on a regular basis.

If things are going well, your plan will help you think about how you can re-invest in your business. If you find that you're not meeting goals, you might need to adjust your budgets or your sales forecast. Either way, tracking your progress compared to your plan can help you adjust quickly when you identify challenges and opportunities—it's one of the most powerful things you can do to grow your business.

Prepare to pitch your business

If you're planning to pitch your business to investors or seek out any funding, you'll need a pitch deck to accompany your business plan. A pitch deck is designed to inform people about your business. You want your pitch deck to be short and easy to follow, so it's best to keep your presentation under 20 slides.

Your pitch deck and pitch presentation are likely some of the first things that an investor will see to learn more about your company. So, you need to be informative and pique their interest. Luckily, just like you can leverage an example business plan template to write your plan, we also have a gallery of over 50 pitch decks for you to reference.

With this gallery, you have the option to view specific industry pitches or get inspired by real-world pitch deck examples.

Ready to get started?

Now that you know how to use an example business plan to help you write a plan for your business, it's time to find the right one.

Use the search bar below to get started and find the right match for your business idea.

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The 7 Best Business Plan Examples (2024)

As an aspiring entrepreneur gearing up to start your own business , you likely know the importance of drafting a business plan. However, you might not be entirely sure where to begin or what specific details to include. That’s where examining business plan examples can be beneficial. Sample business plans serve as real-world templates to help you craft your own plan with confidence. They also provide insight into the key sections that make up a business plan, as well as demonstrate how to structure and present your ideas effectively.

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Example business plan

To understand how to write a business plan, let’s study an example structured using a seven-part template. Here’s a quick overview of those parts:

• Executive summary: A quick overview of your business and the contents of your business plan.
• Company description: More info about your company, its goals and mission, and why you started it in the first place.
• Market analysis: Research about the market and industry your business will operate in, including a competitive analysis about the companies you’ll be up against.
• Products and services: A detailed description of what you’ll be selling to your customers.
• Marketing plan: A strategic outline of how you plan to market and promote your business before, during, and after your company launches into the market.
• Logistics and operations plan: An explanation of the systems, processes, and tools that are needed to run your business in the background.
• Financial plan: A map of your short-term (and even long-term) financial goals and the costs to run the business. If you’re looking for funding, this is the place to discuss your request and needs.

7 business plan examples (section by section)

In this section, you’ll find hypothetical and real-world examples of each aspect of a business plan to show you how the whole thing comes together. 

• Executive summary

Your executive summary offers a high-level overview of the rest of your business plan. You’ll want to include a brief description of your company, market research, competitor analysis, and financial information. 

In this free business plan template, the executive summary is three paragraphs and occupies nearly half the page:

• Company description

You might go more in-depth with your company description and include the following sections:

• Nature of the business. Mention the general category of business you fall under. Are you a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of your products?
• Background information. Talk about your past experiences and skills, and how you’ve combined them to fill in the market. 
• Business structure. This section outlines how you registered your company —as a corporation, sole proprietorship, LLC, or other business type.
• Industry. Which business sector do you operate in? The answer might be technology, merchandising, or another industry.
• Team. Whether you’re the sole full-time employee of your business or you have contractors to support your daily workflow, this is your chance to put them under the spotlight.

You can also repurpose your company description elsewhere, like on your About page, Instagram page, or other properties that ask for a boilerplate description of your business. Hair extensions brand Luxy Hair has a blurb on it’s About page that could easily be repurposed as a company description for its business plan. 

• Market analysis

Market analysis comprises research on product supply and demand, your target market, the competitive landscape, and industry trends. You might do a SWOT analysis to learn where you stand and identify market gaps that you could exploit to establish your footing. Here’s an example of a SWOT analysis for a hypothetical ecommerce business: 

You’ll also want to run a competitive analysis as part of the market analysis component of your business plan. This will show you who you’re up against and give you ideas on how to gain an edge over the competition. 

• Products and services

This part of your business plan describes your product or service, how it will be priced, and the ways it will compete against similar offerings in the market. Don’t go into too much detail here—a few lines are enough to introduce your item to the reader.

• Marketing plan

Potential investors will want to know how you’ll get the word out about your business. So it’s essential to build a marketing plan that highlights the promotion and customer acquisition strategies you’re planning to adopt. 

Most marketing plans focus on the four Ps: product, price, place, and promotion. However, it’s easier when you break it down by the different marketing channels . Mention how you intend to promote your business using blogs, email, social media, and word-of-mouth marketing. 

Here’s an example of a hypothetical marketing plan for a real estate website:

Logistics and operations

This section of your business plan provides information about your production, facilities, equipment, shipping and fulfillment, and inventory.

Financial plan

The financial plan (a.k.a. financial statement) offers a breakdown of your sales, revenue, expenses, profit, and other financial metrics. You’ll want to include all the numbers and concrete data to project your current and projected financial state.

In this business plan example, the financial statement for ecommerce brand Nature’s Candy includes forecasted revenue, expenses, and net profit in graphs.

It then goes deeper into the financials, citing:

• Funding needs
• Project cash-flow statement
• Project profit-and-loss statement
• Projected balance sheet

You can use Shopify’s financial plan template to create your own income statement, cash-flow statement, and balance sheet. 

Types of business plans (and what to write for each)

A one-page business plan is a pared down version of a standard business plan that’s easy for potential investors and partners to understand. You’ll want to include all of these sections, but make sure they’re abbreviated and summarized:

• Logistics and operations plan
• Financials 

A startup business plan is meant to secure outside funding for a new business. Typically, there’s a big focus on the financials, as well as other sections that help determine the viability of your business idea—market analysis, for example. Shopify has a great business plan template for startups that include all the below points:

• Market research: in depth
• Financials: in depth

Internal 

Your internal business plan acts as the enforcer of your company’s vision. It reminds your team of the long-term objective and keeps them strategically aligned toward the same goal. Be sure to include:

• Market research

Feasibility 

A feasibility business plan is essentially a feasibility study that helps you evaluate whether your product or idea is worthy of a full business plan. Include the following sections:

A strategic (or growth) business plan lays out your long-term vision and goals. This means your predictions stretch further into the future, and you aim for greater growth and revenue. While crafting this document, you use all the parts of a usual business plan but add more to each one:

• Products and services: for launch and expansion
• Market analysis: detailed analysis
• Marketing plan: detailed strategy
• Logistics and operations plan: detailed plan
• Financials: detailed projections

Free business plan templates

Now that you’re familiar with what’s included and how to format a business plan, let’s go over a few templates you can fill out or draw inspiration from.

Bplans’ free business plan template

Bplans’ free business plan template focuses a lot on the financial side of running a business. It has many pages just for your financial plan and statements. Once you fill it out, you’ll see exactly where your business stands financially and what you need to do to keep it on track or make it better.

PandaDoc’s free business plan template

PandaDoc’s free business plan template is detailed and guides you through every section, so you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Filling it out, you’ll grasp the ins and outs of your business and how each part fits together. It’s also handy because it connects to PandaDoc’s e-signature for easy signing, ideal for businesses with partners or a board.

Miro’s Business Model Canvas Template

Miro’s Business Model Canvas Template helps you map out the essentials of your business, like partnerships, core activities, and what makes you different. It’s a collaborative tool for you and your team to learn how everything in your business is linked.

Better business planning equals better business outcomes

Building a business plan is key to establishing a clear direction and strategy for your venture. With a solid plan in hand, you’ll know what steps to take for achieving each of your business goals. Kickstart your business planning and set yourself up for success with a defined roadmap—utilizing the sample business plans above to inform your approach.

Business plan FAQ

What are the 3 main points of a business plan.

• Concept. Explain what your business does and the main idea behind it. This is where you tell people what you plan to achieve with your business.
• Contents. Explain what you’re selling or offering. Point out who you’re selling to and who else is selling something similar. This part concerns your products or services, who will buy them, and who you’re up against.
• Cash flow. Explain how money will move in and out of your business. Discuss the money you need to start and keep the business going, the costs of running your business, and how much money you expect to make.

How do I write a simple business plan?

To create a simple business plan, start with an executive summary that details your business vision and objectives. Follow this with a concise description of your company’s structure, your market analysis, and information about your products or services. Conclude your plan with financial projections that outline your expected revenue, expenses, and profitability.

What is the best format to write a business plan?

The optimal format for a business plan arranges your plan in a clear and structured way, helping potential investors get a quick grasp of what your business is about and what you aim to achieve. Always start with a summary of your plan and finish with the financial details or any extra information at the end.

Want to learn more?

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40 Startup Business Ideas to Try in 2024

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Aspiring entrepreneurs are often one brilliant startup business idea away from becoming their own boss. Of course, brilliance is easier said than done when starting a business .

The best startup ideas have business plans that solve a problem, meet an unmet demand or improve upon something already on the market — if not all of the above. Here are 40 ideas to help get your wheels turning as you look to bring a company to life.

40 best startup business ideas

Even startup ideas that seemingly come out of left field can yield incredible success. Read through this list for instant inspiration.

1. Create educational content or activities

Parents are always looking for tools and activities to keep their kids entertained and engaged. Printable activity guides for different age groups, home-school lesson plans or even virtual nature walks or story time could all be viable startup ideas.

2. Offer virtual team-building

Companies need new ways to boost morale and build camaraderie among remote and hybrid teams. Enter the virtual team-builder. Cheesemongers, mixologists, chefs, magicians, artists, historians, master gardeners — almost anyone can create and offer bonding experiences for virtual companies.

3. Start a meal-prep business

The U.S. market for meal kits is expected to grow 14.2% annually between 2023 and 2030, according to market analysis by Grand View Research [0] Grand View Research . Meal Kit Delivery Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Offering (Heat & Eat, Cook & Eat), By Service (Single, Multiple), By Platform (Online, Offline), Meal Type (Vegan, Vegetarian), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030 . Accessed Feb 21, 2024. View all sources . Tap into that market and start a meal-prep service to make people’s lives easier and cater to specialized diets (keto, vegan, Whole30).

4. Create a food waste solution

Creating a startup focused on reducing food waste could not only earn you some serious funding, but also positively change the food system and help save grocery stores and restaurants money.

5. Capitalize on plant-based foods

The U.S. plant-based market was worth $8 billion in 2022, with sales of plant-based foods projected to climb 44% over three years, according to the most recent annual report from the Good Food Institute [0] Good Food Institute . U.S. retail market insights for the plant-based industry . Accessed Feb 21, 2024. View all sources . Creating a vegan supermarket or making meat-free versions of traditional foods could be the ticket to success for aspiring entrepreneurs.

6. Start a dropshipping business

The e-commerce business model of dropshipping is especially attractive because it doesn’t require you to purchase inventory upfront. Selling higher-end products with low shipping costs could become profitable quickly if you do thorough competition research.

» MORE: 25 low-cost business ideas

7. Curate subscription boxes

Subscription boxes were a $32.9 billion business globally in 2023 (up from $22.7 billion in 2021), and the industry is still set to grow, according to a market research report by the International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group [0] International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group . Subscription Box Market Report by Type (Replenishment Subscription, Curation Subscription, Access Subscription), Gender (Male, Female), Application (Clothing and Fashion, Beauty, Food and Beverages, Pet Food, Baby Products, Health and Fitness, and Others), and Region 2024-2032 . Accessed Feb 21, 2024. View all sources . Pick a niche, and then curate a collection of specialized goods to deliver unique experiences to consumers. Some subscription boxes focus on a mix of products, like makeup or dog toys; others focus on a single item or theme, like shaving or sustainability. Find the right starting point for you and run with it.

Ready to get started? Here's what to do next

Open a business bank account.

Start keeping the books.

Build your website.

Protect yourself from liability.

8. Create an airport-centric app

Creating an all-in-one app that allows travelers tonavigate unfamiliar airports with real-time information is a relatively untapped startup idea. Though various travel applications exist, an app that shows amenities, TSA line wait times, ground transportation options and airport maps could be useful to passengers.

9. Become a destination wedding planner

Planning a wedding is stressful; planning a wedding from afar could fray any couple’s nerves. That creates a niche for a destination wedding planner who can advise on venue and vendor selections, as well as manage wedding and travel logistics for the bridal party and guests. If you love exploring, have expertise in a popular wedding locale and are great under pressure, this could be the startup idea for you.

10. Make local guides

Even if you don’t consider yourself a local expert, creating local guides can get you familiar with your surroundings and help tourists enjoy off-the-beaten-path experiences in your area. Make themed guides, highlight attractions and partner with local businesses for advertising opportunities.

» MORE: 25 side business ideas

11. Create a local grocery delivery service

A grocery delivery startup can come with minimal setup costs — you only need a vehicle and a cell phone to get started. Help older people or others who are too busy to shop by offering this community-friendly service. You can even approach grocery stores in your area to see if they're willing to partner with you to get the service off the ground.

12. Start a virtual event planning company

Virtual event planning is a new booming business as in-person gatherings go online or take a hybrid approach. A skilled planner who can ensure all attendees are engaged, regardless of location, will be in high demand for years to come.

» MORE: Best business credit cards for LLCs

13. Sell zero-waste products

Starting a zero-waste company is more than just a trendy thing to do; it can be an ethical, environmentally conscious decision. Selling sustainable products such as reusable bags, bamboo toothbrushes or products with zero-waste packaging could appeal to a growing number of sustainability-focused consumers.

14. Make products for pets

Create innovative pet products to take advantage of the fact that 66% of U.S. households (about 86.9 million households) have at least one animal companion, according to the annual pet ownership survey by the American Pet Products Association [0] American Pet Products Association . Industry Trends and Stats . View all sources . Developing toys, accessories or clothing for furry friends can help you tap into that expansive market. You can also go the service route and offer pet sitting, walking or virtual dog training. Or develop an app or tech solution that makes pet parents’ lives easier.

15. Create custom clothing

Selling custom clothing or offering a tailoring service could be your winning startup idea. The custom clothing industry is gaining popularity and offers room for long-term growth.

» MORE: How to open an Etsy shop

16. Sell vintage clothing online

Demand for sustainable fashion has helped propel second-hand clothing into a $39 billion industry in the U.S. with projections to hit $70 billion by 2027, according to an annual resale report by online consignment company ThredUp [0] ThredUp . ThredUp Resale Report 2023 . View all sources . Consider selling thrifted, vintage or upcycled clothing on social media, an ecommerce platform or an app such as ThredUp or Poshmark.

17. Begin niche blogging

Find a niche (think e-sports or urban farming) and create engaging content around it. You can earn money through advertising, affiliate links and even product sales once you build an audience.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

18. Become an e-book writer

If you’ve got a way with words, consider becoming a self-published author and selling e-books on virtual platforms.

» MORE: 14 profitable e-commerce business ideas

19. Start ghostwriting

Create content for busy professionals who don’t have the time or the skill to write themselves. If you don’t mind not attaching your name to your writing, ghostwriting is a great way to earn money with little to no startup costs attached.

20. Become a resume writer

Everyone needs a resume, but few people are skilled at or enjoy writing their own. If you’ve got writing experience and are looking to launch a startup with no setup costs, creating a resume-writing service could be the path for you.

21. Open a coworking space

Capitalize on the rising popularity of remote work by creating a modern coworking space that addresses pain points of entrepreneurs. Pick a convenient location and build it out with highly sought-after amenities.

» MORE: 35 businesses that every community needs

22. Become an online coach

If you enjoy helping others achieve their goals and are a people person, this startup idea could be fulfilling for yourself and for your clientele. You can provide wellness, business or life coaching.

23. Flip failing websites

Buy an existing website, make improvements on it and sell it for a profit. You’ll need to understand the market well and have some web development skills, but this can be a profitable pursuit.

24. Become a web developer

The need for custom websites isn’t ever going away, and if you know your way around WordPress or know a programming language or two, you can start a profitable website development startup.

25. Start a podcast

If you’re deeply knowledgeable or passionate about a subject, consider getting into podcast production or hosting. Building an audience takes time, but once established, podcasters can earn money through affiliate marketing, donations and sponsorships.

26. Be a social media influencer

Once you find a niche and build a personal brand, amassing a large following on Instagram or YouTube can lead to a solid source of income through influencer marketing.

» MORE: 30 Instagram business ideas

27. Create online courses

Obscure hobbies can lead to lucrative business ideas if you make them easy for others to learn. If you’d like to teach others but aren’t interested in the coaching route, creating an online course could lead to reliable passive income.

28. Become a marketing consultant

If you’ve got digital marketing chops, help small businesses reach their target audiences by providing SEO, social media or copywriting services.

29. Develop an app

If you’ve got a unique idea and the necessary technical skills, creating an app could be your gold mine. It’s also possible to build an app without extensive coding skills, and once it launches, it can bring in passive earnings.

» MORE: 25 tech business ideas

30. Make a smart appliance

Smart accessories and home appliances are all the rage and becoming an important part of daily life for the average consumer. For inspiration, take note of daily tasks at home or at work that would be easier with a smart appliance.

31. Tap into virtual reality experiences

VR is the future, and the future is now. Create virtual reality experiences or accessories to tap into a global industry that’s projected to grow to a $165.91 billion market by 2030, according to a report by Fortune Business Insights [0] Fortune Business Insights . The global virtual reality market size was valued at $19.44 billion in 2022 & is projected to grow from $25.11 billion in 2023 to $165.91 billion by 2030... Read More at:- https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/virtual-reality-market-101378 . View all sources , a market research firm.

32. Make a niche dating site

The stigma around online dating has decreased over the past decade, so take the opportunity to help others find love. With various dating sites targeted to everyone from sea captains to farmers, there is market demand for specialty dating options.

33. Develop a chatbot

Create a chatbot — which uses artificial intelligence to communicate with people — to help businesses improve their communication. Chatbots have become more popular in recent years, and you can create one without knowing how to code.

34. Offer matchmaking skills

This is like creating a dating site but with a personal touch. If you have a knack for knowing what types of people and which personalities get along well, you might be the perfect person to start matchmaking. You can do this online or meet clients in person as well.

35. Be a virtual assistant

Being an online assistant for someone, or starting a company of virtual assistants, can be a huge success. Everyone could use a little extra help, and creating a startup focused around getting people that help for the administrative tasks in their lives, professional or personal, can be a huge moneymaker.

» MORE: Home-business ideas: 40 remote jobs to explore

36. Reinvent exercising

If there's one thing people get bored with, it's doing the same type of exercise day in and day out to stay healthy. Plenty of people have turned the exercise industry on its head, with businesses like CrossFit and Peloton popping up. You can do the same if you have an idea for a new regimen or activity for exercise enthusiasts.

37. Create eco-friendly, health-friendly makeup and beauty products

As people become more aware of the impact their personal choices have on their health and on the environment, they're looking for more health and beauty products that are also eco-friendly. Creating safe and eco-friendly products could be a great startup idea.

38. Open a food truck or restaurant pop-up

Opening a food truck or restaurant pop-up is a great startup idea for entrepreneurs with a knack for cooking. Both options are easier to launch than a full-scale restaurant and allow you to get started with a smaller staff and menu. You can open a food truck that only sells french fries with crazy toppings, for example, or launch a breakfast sandwich pop-up in your neighborhood coffee shop.

39. Start an organization business

Shows like "Tidying Up With Marie Kondo" and "The Home Edit" put professional organizing on the map, exposing millions to the magic of a tidy home. If you have a knack for making order out of chaotic spaces, you could start a business offering those services to those who need them. Organizing kitchen pantries, closets, bookshelves and more are all options you could offer customers at your new business.

40. Do interior design for young professionals

Have an eye for decorating? Start an interior design business, offering your services at an hourly rate virtually to young professionals looking for inspiration. It can be as simple as them uploading some images of their new space to your site and you sending back a few links with furniture in their budget and example images of what the room might look like when it's finished.

Start Your Dream Business

How to choose a startup idea

Do your homework before diving headfirst into a startup idea. First, make sure there's demand for the business you want to start, where you want to start it. More than 35% of businesses fail because there isn't a market need for their services or product, according to research from CB Insights [0] CB Insights . The Top 12 Reasons Startups Fail . View all sources .

You also need to write a business plan , which should include your company’s objective, sales plan, market analysis and financial projections. A good business plan can help to keep your business on track. Lenders will also want to see your business plan when considering you for a startup business loan . You should also consider the skills you already have and see how those align with any of the startup business ideas you might go with.

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

On a similar note...

How to make a business plan

Table of Contents

How to make a good business plan: step-by-step guide.

A business plan is a strategic roadmap used to navigate the challenging journey of entrepreneurship. It's the foundation upon which you build a successful business.

A well-crafted business plan can help you define your vision, clarify your goals, and identify potential problems before they arise.

But where do you start? How do you create a business plan that sets you up for success?

This article will explore the step-by-step process of creating a comprehensive business plan.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a formal document that outlines a business's objectives, strategies, and operational procedures. It typically includes the following information about a company:

Products or services

Target market

Competitors

Marketing and sales strategies

Financial plan

Management team

A business plan serves as a roadmap for a company's success and provides a blueprint for its growth and development. It helps entrepreneurs and business owners organize their ideas, evaluate the feasibility, and identify potential challenges and opportunities.

As well as serving as a guide for business owners, a business plan can attract investors and secure funding. It demonstrates the company's understanding of the market, its ability to generate revenue and profits, and its strategy for managing risks and achieving success.

Business plan vs. business model canvas

A business plan may seem similar to a business model canvas, but each document serves a different purpose.

A business model canvas is a high-level overview that helps entrepreneurs and business owners quickly test and iterate their ideas. It is often a one-page document that briefly outlines the following:

Key partnerships

Key activities

Key propositions

Customer relationships

Customer segments

Key resources

Cost structure

Revenue streams

On the other hand, a Business Plan Template provides a more in-depth analysis of a company's strategy and operations. It is typically a lengthy document and requires significant time and effort to develop.

A business model shouldn’t replace a business plan, and vice versa. Business owners should lay the foundations and visually capture the most important information with a Business Model Canvas Template . Because this is a fast and efficient way to communicate a business idea, a business model canvas is a good starting point before developing a more comprehensive business plan.

A business plan can aim to secure funding from investors or lenders, while a business model canvas communicates a business idea to potential customers or partners.

Why is a business plan important?

A business plan is crucial for any entrepreneur or business owner wanting to increase their chances of success.

Here are some of the many benefits of having a thorough business plan.

Helps to define the business goals and objectives

A business plan encourages you to think critically about your goals and objectives. Doing so lets you clearly understand what you want to achieve and how you plan to get there.

A well-defined set of goals, objectives, and key results also provides a sense of direction and purpose, which helps keep business owners focused and motivated.

Guides decision-making

A business plan requires you to consider different scenarios and potential problems that may arise in your business. This awareness allows you to devise strategies to deal with these issues and avoid pitfalls.

With a clear plan, entrepreneurs can make informed decisions aligning with their overall business goals and objectives. This helps reduce the risk of making costly mistakes and ensures they make decisions with long-term success in mind.

Attracts investors and secures funding

Investors and lenders often require a business plan before considering investing in your business. A document that outlines the company's goals, objectives, and financial forecasts can help instill confidence in potential investors and lenders.

A well-written business plan demonstrates that you have thoroughly thought through your business idea and have a solid plan for success.

Identifies potential challenges and risks

A business plan requires entrepreneurs to consider potential challenges and risks that could impact their business. For example:

Is there enough demand for my product or service?

Will I have enough capital to start my business?

Is the market oversaturated with too many competitors?

What will happen if my marketing strategy is ineffective?

By identifying these potential challenges, entrepreneurs can develop strategies to mitigate risks and overcome challenges. This can reduce the likelihood of costly mistakes and ensure the business is well-positioned to take on any challenges.

Provides a basis for measuring success

A business plan serves as a framework for measuring success by providing clear goals and financial projections . Entrepreneurs can regularly refer to the original business plan as a benchmark to measure progress. By comparing the current business position to initial forecasts, business owners can answer questions such as:

Are we where we want to be at this point?

Did we achieve our goals?

If not, why not, and what do we need to do?

After assessing whether the business is meeting its objectives or falling short, business owners can adjust their strategies as needed.

How to make a business plan step by step

The steps below will guide you through the process of creating a business plan and what key components you need to include.

1. Create an executive summary

Start with a brief overview of your entire plan. The executive summary should cover your business plan's main points and key takeaways.

Keep your executive summary concise and clear with the Executive Summary Template . The simple design helps readers understand the crux of your business plan without reading the entire document.

2. Write your company description

Provide a detailed explanation of your company. Include information on what your company does, the mission statement, and your vision for the future.

Provide additional background information on the history of your company, the founders, and any notable achievements or milestones.

3. Conduct a market analysis

Conduct an in-depth analysis of your industry, competitors, and target market. This is best done with a SWOT analysis to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Next, identify your target market's needs, demographics, and behaviors.

Use the Competitive Analysis Template to brainstorm answers to simple questions like:

What does the current market look like?

Who are your competitors?

What are they offering?

What will give you a competitive advantage?

Who is your target market?

What are they looking for and why?

How will your product or service satisfy a need?

These questions should give you valuable insights into the current market and where your business stands.

4. Describe your products and services

Provide detailed information about your products and services. This includes pricing information, product features, and any unique selling points.

Use the Product/Market Fit Template to explain how your products meet the needs of your target market. Describe what sets them apart from the competition.

5. Design a marketing and sales strategy

Outline how you plan to promote and sell your products. Your marketing strategy and sales strategy should include information about your:

Pricing strategy

Advertising and promotional tactics

Sales channels

The Go to Market Strategy Template is a great way to visually map how you plan to launch your product or service in a new or existing market.

6. Determine budget and financial projections

Document detailed information on your business’ finances. Describe the current financial position of the company and how you expect the finances to play out.

Some details to include in this section are:

Startup costs

Revenue projections

Profit and loss statement

Funding you have received or plan to receive

Strategy for raising funds

7. Set the organization and management structure

Define how your company is structured and who will be responsible for each aspect of the business. Use the Business Organizational Chart Template to visually map the company’s teams, roles, and hierarchy.

As well as the organization and management structure, discuss the legal structure of your business. Clarify whether your business is a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or LLC.

8. Make an action plan

At this point in your business plan, you’ve described what you’re aiming for. But how are you going to get there? The Action Plan Template describes the following steps to move your business plan forward. Outline the next steps you plan to take to bring your business plan to fruition.

Types of business plans

Several types of business plans cater to different purposes and stages of a company's lifecycle. Here are some of the most common types of business plans.

Startup business plan

A startup business plan is typically an entrepreneur's first business plan. This document helps entrepreneurs articulate their business idea when starting a new business.

Not sure how to make a business plan for a startup? It’s pretty similar to a regular business plan, except the primary purpose of a startup business plan is to convince investors to provide funding for the business. A startup business plan also outlines the potential target market, product/service offering, marketing plan, and financial projections.

Strategic business plan

A strategic business plan is a long-term plan that outlines a company's overall strategy, objectives, and tactics. This type of strategic plan focuses on the big picture and helps business owners set goals and priorities and measure progress.

The primary purpose of a strategic business plan is to provide direction and guidance to the company's management team and stakeholders. The plan typically covers a period of three to five years.

Operational business plan

An operational business plan is a detailed document that outlines the day-to-day operations of a business. It focuses on the specific activities and processes required to run the business, such as:

Organizational structure

Staffing plan

Production plan

Quality control

Inventory management

Supply chain

The primary purpose of an operational business plan is to ensure that the business runs efficiently and effectively. It helps business owners manage their resources, track their performance, and identify areas for improvement.

Growth-business plan

A growth-business plan is a strategic plan that outlines how a company plans to expand its business. It helps business owners identify new market opportunities and increase revenue and profitability. The primary purpose of a growth-business plan is to provide a roadmap for the company's expansion and growth.

The 3 Horizons of Growth Template is a great tool to identify new areas of growth. This framework categorizes growth opportunities into three categories: Horizon 1 (core business), Horizon 2 (emerging business), and Horizon 3 (potential business).

One-page business plan

A one-page business plan is a condensed version of a full business plan that focuses on the most critical aspects of a business. It’s a great tool for entrepreneurs who want to quickly communicate their business idea to potential investors, partners, or employees.

A one-page business plan typically includes sections such as business concept, value proposition, revenue streams, and cost structure.

Best practices for how to make a good business plan

Here are some additional tips for creating a business plan:

Use a template

A template can help you organize your thoughts and effectively communicate your business ideas and strategies. Starting with a template can also save you time and effort when formatting your plan.

Miro’s extensive library of customizable templates includes all the necessary sections for a comprehensive business plan. With our templates, you can confidently present your business plans to stakeholders and investors.

Be practical

Avoid overestimating revenue projections or underestimating expenses. Your business plan should be grounded in practical realities like your budget, resources, and capabilities.

Be specific

Provide as much detail as possible in your business plan. A specific plan is easier to execute because it provides clear guidance on what needs to be done and how. Without specific details, your plan may be too broad or vague, making it difficult to know where to start or how to measure success.

Be thorough with your research

Conduct thorough research to fully understand the market, your competitors, and your target audience . By conducting thorough research, you can identify potential risks and challenges your business may face and develop strategies to mitigate them.

Get input from others

It can be easy to become overly focused on your vision and ideas, leading to tunnel vision and a lack of objectivity. By seeking input from others, you can identify potential opportunities you may have overlooked.

Review and revise regularly

A business plan is a living document. You should update it regularly to reflect market, industry, and business changes. Set aside time for regular reviews and revisions to ensure your plan remains relevant and effective.

Create a winning business plan to chart your path to success

Starting or growing a business can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, a well-written business plan can make or break your business’ success.

The purpose of a business plan is more than just to secure funding and attract investors. It also serves as a roadmap for achieving your business goals and realizing your vision. With the right mindset, tools, and strategies, you can develop a visually appealing, persuasive business plan.

Ready to make an effective business plan that works for you? Check out our library of ready-made strategy and planning templates and chart your path to success.

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22 Product Ideas Worth Considering for Your Business in 2024

Date Updated: Dec 01 2023

Read Time: 14 min

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Find Product Ideas to Sell Online

22 new product ideas to consider, closing thoughts on new product ideas.

Whether you’re starting an eCommerce business or already run one, you may be on the hunt for some winning product ideas. In fact, one of the most challenging tasks facing entrepreneurs at the helm of an eCommerce business is deciding what to sell. Whether you want to sell a single item or create a business of many related products, it can be difficult to find and decide on new product ideas.

That said, below explores how to ideate a product to sell online. After that is a list of 22 product ideas to consider selling in 2024.

As previously stated, finding new product ideas to sell online presents many challenges. Depending on where you’re based, you may even be restricted by regulations for the products you’re interested in selling. However, you have to have a product idea before you can proceed any further. This idea will be the key to establishing your business plan down the road. So, how can you explore and evaluate your product ideas?

The first and foremost approach to finding a new product idea is to brainstorm. Grab a notebook and a pen, then jot down anything that comes to mind. Here are some prompts:

• Think through your day and the things you use every morning, afternoon, and night.
• Try to remember the last thing you were grateful you owned. Why do you love it?
• Try to think of something you own but don’t love. Can it be improved? Where does it fall short for you?
• Look around the room and jot down anything that seems positively or negatively noteworthy to start your search.

Talk to friends and family

You won’t necessarily be your own target demographic , so it can be helpful to ask friends and family members what products they love. Ask them for the products they don’t love. What about it don’t they like? Do they have any product ideas they think you should sell? All of these questions can help spark an idea for a winning product.

Look at potential competitors

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Take a look at companies doing well and make note of what they sell. Look at competitors as a testament to what’s possible instead of a barrier to entering the market.

Consider how you will be selling products

In addition to deciding what product to sell and how to source that product , you’ll have to choose how to sell that product to the public. Below are a few thoughts to consider:

• Will you be selling products online or in store ?
• Will you be dropshipping or wholesaling your products?
• What online marketplaces will you be taking advantage of?
• Will you be selling digital products instead of physical goods?

Now that you understand a few techniques to spark inspiration for product ideas, it’s time to consider some of the most trending products and services of 2024. These products range from small to big and simple to complex, so there’s something for every kind of entrepreneurial spirit.

1. Air fryers

Among kitchen appliances, air fryers are particularly expected to rise in popularity due to technological advancements and increasing health consciousness among the public. [1] Grand View Research. “ Air Fryer Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Manual, Digital), By Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, Central & South America), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 – 2025 “. Accessed April 8, 2022. The technological advancements include LED screens, intelligent sensors, touchpads, and increased energy efficiency. As for its health impact, some consumers have adopted oil-free diets or limited their oil consumption to address cholesterol levels. Air fryers provide snacks with the same crunch sans oil.

2. Air-quality appliances

The piqued interest in air quality can not only be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to increased concern about climate change. Of appliances that promise to address air quality issues, humidifiers and air purifiers are two of the most accessible product ideas through which to enter this market. [2] Grand View Research. “ Household Humidifier Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Portable (Ultrasonic, Cool Mist, Warm Mist), Whole-house), By Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 – 2025″. Accessed April 8, 2022. [3] Grand View Research. “ Air Purifier Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (HEPA, Activated Carbon, Ionic Filters), By Application (Commercial, Residential, Industrial), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.

Humidifiers increase the humidity in a room, thus addressing the issue of dry air that can irritate and inflame airways. While humidifiers won’t cure an illness, they will make the symptoms of colds, flu, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis more manageable. They aren’t meant for long-term use, but rather to specifically address dry air if/when it occurs, often during winter due to the use of heaters.

Air purifiers, on the other hand, remove pollutants from the air through the use of two basic components: a fan and a filter. The pollutants air purifiers remove from the air vary between products, but can include dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and/or mold spores. The removable of such reduces allergy and asthma triggers.

3. At-home fitness equipment

Owing some popularity to 2020’s closure of gyms and other workout facilities, at-home fitness equipment saw a boom. [4] Grand View Research. “ Sports Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Ball Over Net Games, Ball Games, Fitness/Strength Equipment, Athletic Training Equipment), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 “. Accessed April 8, 2022. However, this popularity, as well as its longevity, is due more so to societal health concerns and technological advancements. Improvements in the accessibility and quality of live streaming now make it possible for audiences seeking a guided workout to do so from the comfort of their own home.

The most popular at-home workout equipment items are yoga mats, resistance bands, and stationary bikes, any of which are excellent product ideas to consider if you’re interested in this space.

4. Baby products

The baby product market is set to grow due to emerging economies, specifically those of India and China. [5] Grand View Research. “ Baby Products Market Size Worth $16.78 Billion By 2025 | CAGR: 5.5% “. Accessed April 8, 2022. Likewise, the increased spending capacity of North America, Europe, and other developed nations contribute to this industry’s growth. The combination of expectant parents’ awareness about infant safety and innovation in the field makes for a market of new and necessary items.

In this market, breast pumps, front-facing baby carrying straps, and baby bouncers are especially popular products to sell.

Unlike many of the products on this list, candles have the added benefit of being consumable in that after all the wax has been burned, they are disposed of. If the consumer likes the scent, they’ll have to purchase the candle again. Thus, this is a market ripe for repeat customers. The candle market also fares well during recessions, as those staying home to save money may still buy candles as a small indulgence.

What makes all types of candles such excellent product ideas to consider is their ability to easily fit into many different businesses. You don’t specifically have to be a candle business to sell candles. Hotels, beauty brands, and other various companies already sell candles. In doing so, companies simultaneously market and sell.

6. Cannabis products

By 2028, the global cannabis market is projected to grow to $70.6 billion. [6] Grand View Research. “ Legal Marijuana Market Worth $70.6 Billion By 2028 | CAGR: 26.7% “. Accessed April 8, 2022. Though, its popularity isn’t necessarily new. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that it’s the most widely cultivated, trafficked, and used drug in the world. What’s new is the drug’s legalization and societal views of it. [7] UN-iLibrary. “ World Drug Report “. Accessed April 8, 2022.

In terms of societal views, the medicinal uses of cannabis are taken more seriously and stereotypical views of users of the product have been shaken. Meanwhile, the drug’s legalization is sweeping through the United States, with 35 states and Washington D.C. legalizing it for medical use, 16 of which legalized it recreationally. It’s also decriminalized and/or allowed for medical use in areas of Africa, Australia, Europe, and North and South America.

The legal status of cannabis worldwide, however, can be a drawback for those considering product ideas in this industry. Many countries still impose harsh punishments for cannabis.

In the United States, CBD products, not THC products, are legal in every state. Starting a CBD product-based business is one way to corner that market, as it’s legal to sell CBD products online in all 50 states. Just makes sure you’re keeping up to date with both local and federal legislation prior to selling online.

7. Car accessories

The average American reportedly spends eight hours and 22 minutes per week driving, which adds up to 18 days of driving per year. [8] Car Connection. “ Study: Americans spend 18 days in their car per year, forge close bonds with a vehicle “. Accessed April 8, 2022. In 2019, the average one-way commute in the United States increased to a new high of 27.6 minutes. On top of that, ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft, as well as food delivery apps, have turned one’s car into their way to clock into their gig. Be it commuting to work or working by way of a car, cars have become a vital part of the workday.

That said, car accessories are a growing market ripe with several different product ideas for you to sell. [9] Cision PR Newswire. “ Global Car Accessories Market is Likely to Cross almost USD 753.05 Billion by end of 2028 – Zion Market Research “. Accessed April 8, 2022. The most popular products in this industry are air fresheners, organizers, rear cameras, seat covers, and USB chargers.

8. Cell phone accessories

97 percent of Americans have cell phones. That means that when you sell cell phone accessories, 97 percent of the United States is your potential customer base. Not many industries can say the same.

The most popular are phone-related product ideas are those that make phones more useful, less breakable, more efficient, or last longer. These accessories include phone tripods, power banks, wireless headphones, and wireless charging stations.

The drone market is often broken down into three types of applications: military, commercial, and consumer.

Military and commercial sectors have adopted the use of drones as a means of surveillance. This technology allows for surveillance without human error, as well as significantly reducing the labor and other resources necessary for such.

As for the consumer side, improvements in drones have made this technology available to the average consumer, thus widening the market to include hobbyists.

As a result of all of these factors, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 16 percent between 2021 and 2026. [10] Grand View Research. “ Commercial Drone Market Worth $501.4 Billion By 2028 | CAGR: 57.5% “. Accessed April 8, 2022.

10. eLearning courses

Subscription eLearning courses have become a popular product to sell online because of their low startup cost and ability to be sold over and over. [11] Globe Newswire. “ Global Massive Open Online Course Market (2021 to 2026) – by Technology, Course Type, Provider Type and Subscription Model “. Accessed April 8, 2022. The potential upside to this product idea is exponential. The only major investment being the time it takes to create the eLearning course.

Every business owner is an expert in something, even if it’s simply maintaining a business, so you already possess the information itself. Now, you just have to commodity your expertise.

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11. Hair scrunchies

Due to the fickleness of trends, fashion and beauty product ideas can be difficult to invest in. That said, hair scrunchies are still a viable product to sell in 2024. Their “comeback” year was 2020, during which Pinterest reported scrunchies were their top-ranking beauty trend outranking all others by over 6,309 percent. [12] Refinery29. “ Proof That Scrunchies Are Back In A Big Way For Fall 2020 “. Accessed April 8, 2022. Because of the product’s low cost, scrunchies remain a genius product to sell, even if the trend loses some of its incredible popularity in the coming years.

12. Home office solutions

United States office occupancy rose in August 2021 from 33 percent to 40 percent, still leaving a majority of office employees working remotely. [13] The New York Times. “ The End of a Return-to-Office Date “. Accessed April 8, 2022. Recently, Apple, Ford, CNN, Google, and other major companies postponed their return-to-office dates. Lyft now says the earliest employees will be required to return to the office is sometime in 2024.

This means, for many, another possible year of working remotely, as well as a workforce that may never fully return to the previous in-office levels. What might be bad news for commercial real estate developers can be good news to you, as at-home office product ideas remain popular. This includes wifi repeaters and range extenders, seat cushions, office chairs, standing desks, and lumbar pillows.

13. IoT devices

The phrase “Internet of Things” (IoT) describes objects that have sensors, software, and technologies that connect with other devices or systems over the Internet. These products include smartphones, smart refrigerators, smartwatches, smart cars, smart security sensors, smart light bulbs. A good rule of thumb is that if it begins with“smart,” it’s likely an IoT device.

As technology evolves, more and more products will be turned into IoT devices, thus creating an ever-expanding selection of product ideas to sell. The drawback of these products, of course, is that they may not be within your business’ budget.

14. Jewelry

80 percent of consumers are more likely to purchase from a business providing personalization. [14] Yieldify. “ Personalization Technology: Landscape & Trends for 2021 “. Accessed April 8, 2022. This decade-long trend, showing no sign of slowing down, has revitalized the jewelry market. Now items as personal as jewelry can be even more personal through customization. The marketplace on Etsy, especially, allows consumers to shop for personalized jewelry from sellers big and small.

In particular, jewelry is an especially popular product idea for eCommerce businesses because they’re lightweight, easy to ship, and in-demand all year. Though, it’s important to guard against fraud in your eCommerce business when selling expensive, high-end jewelry.

15. Pandemic-related items with longevity

The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic changed the markets in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, toilet paper, sanitizer, and face masks were the most sought-after products for consumers. The demand for such products has since dwindled back to pre-pandemic levels. However, there are some product ideas to which the pandemic brought attention that remain popular. These include infrared thermometers, smart soap dispensers, board games, and puzzles. Even pulse oximeters remain popular, as they’ve been repurposed for use by healthy individuals to monitor their bodies.

16. Reusable water bottles

The increasing concern for the condition of the environment has expanded the demand for reusable water bottles. [15] Grand View Research. “ Reusable Water Bottle Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material Type (Glass, Plastic, Stainless Steel), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 “. Accessed April 8, 2022. Reports indicate that younger generations, particularly Millennials and Generation Z, are significantly more concerned about sustainability than older generations. [16] Science Daily. “ Millennials and Generation Z are more sustainability-orientated — even when it comes to money, researchers find “. Accessed April 8, 2022. This means the trend toward sustainable products, reusable water bottles included, is likely here to stay.

What makes this product idea great is that reusable water bottles can be sold by any business to further define their brand through shape, logo, coloring, or other water bottle design options. Essentially, it’s environmentally-friendly marketing.

If you have a talent for coding and a problem to solve, SaaS (Software as a Service) may be a perfect product idea for you to sell. SaaS products are created all the time to solve problems for both consumers (B2C) and businesses (B2B).

The key to success in building a SaaS product is to keep an open dialogue with your target end-users through development, as well as keeping the lines of communication open by offering tech support services . This way, you ensure your end-product really solves their problems.

18. Sex toys

Due to recent societal shifts regarding sexuality, sex toys are no longer as taboo as they once were. As a result of sex toys’ step toward the mainstream, selling sex toys is becoming an increasingly lucrative industry with a trove of product ideas to sell.

There’s also been a recent rethinking of sexuality as an avenue through which to perform self-care and achieve wellness. Thus, the wellness trend has also helped sex toys grow in popularity.

With a new wave of “sex tech” (sex toys with a technological angle, falling into the category of IoT), this market seems poised to evolve and further expand, all while becoming more mainstream. Sex toys make for excellent.

19. Shapewear

Shapewear has been on the rise for some time. In particular, 2018 saw a 143 percent surge in shapewear line debuts. [17] Grand View Research. “ Shapewear Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End User (Male, Female), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 – 2028 “. Accessed April 8, 2022. Then, in 2019, Kim Kardashian launched her shapewear company Skims.

It’s important to note that continued growth in this sector will reflect changing cultural notions. It’s no longer about shapewear as a product to change a woman’s body for external approval. (Women comprise 94 percent of this market.) Instead, the future of shapewear will focus on inclusivity and body positivity.

Athleisure is a similar product idea expected to see significant growth in the coming years. With more people working remotely, dressing for the office has been replaced with dressing for comfort.

20. Smart lighting

The smart lighting market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 20.4 percent between 2021 to 2028. [18] Grand View Research. “ Smart Lighting Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component, By Connectivity (Wired, Wireless), By Application (Indoor, Outdoor), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 – 2028 “. Accessed April 8, 2022. As an IoT device, smart lighting product ideas earned their own place on this list due to this incredible expected growth rate.

For consumers wanting to upgrade products to the “smart” version of a product, a smart refrigerator or smart car may not be in their budget. However, a smart bulb is much more budget-friendly. Additionally, smart lighting can revolutionize a space through dimming and coloring options, all while gifting consumers the ability to turn off a light from the comfort of their bed.

As IoT devices sweep the marketplace, more affordable entry points are great products to sell, as they’re more likely to fit within your and your consumer’s budgets.

21. Skincare products

By some estimates, the average American spends $322.88 on skincare per year. [19] Fox Business. “ Americans will spend $15G on lifetime skincare, this cosmetics retailer claims “. Accessed April 8, 2022. This adds up to $15,000 spent during what is considered the “skincare shopping years” of one’s life. As a merchant, if you’re considering product ideas that will compete for a piece of that $15,000, enter the skincare market. However, this industry is trickier to break into than others on this list due to the need for various licenses and safety tests. That said, it may be a more attractive business option for the right entrepreneur due to those higher barriers to entry.

22. Subscription boxes

Subscription boxes are uniquely attractive product ideas to sell due to the subscription’s recurring payment . In landing a customer, you land a repeat customer for as long as they subscribe.

Specifically, food delivery kits have soared in popularity as consumers have become more health-conscious. If you have a knack for creating recipes and a passion for making people’s lives easier, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. There are a variety of potential spins you can put on the business model, allowing you to create a service that’s true to you.

Meanwhile, entire business empires have been built on themed subscription boxes, from beauty products to cocktail ingredients to socks of the month. Can you come up with a new one or improve on an existing one?

Now that you understand how to find a product to sell online and have 22 ideas for products poised to be popular throughout 2024, you’re better equipped to handle the ever-changing market.

With these new product ideas and tools to evaluate them, you can brainstorm, launch, and start accepting payments for your eCommerce business . Remember it’s not always about what you sell, it’s about how you sell it.

Ready to Start Your Business? We can help with the payment side of things

Article Sources

• Grand View Research. “ Air Fryer Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Manual, Digital), By Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, Central & South America), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 – 2025 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Household Humidifier Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Portable (Ultrasonic, Cool Mist, Warm Mist), Whole-house), By Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 – 2025″. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Air Purifier Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (HEPA, Activated Carbon, Ionic Filters), By Application (Commercial, Residential, Industrial), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Sports Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Ball Over Net Games, Ball Games, Fitness/Strength Equipment, Athletic Training Equipment), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Baby Products Market Size Worth $16.78 Billion By 2025 | CAGR: 5.5% “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Legal Marijuana Market Worth $70.6 Billion By 2028 | CAGR: 26.7% “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• UN-iLibrary. “ World Drug Report “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Car Connection. “ Study: Americans spend 18 days in their car per year, forge close bonds with a vehicle “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Cision PR Newswire. “ Global Car Accessories Market is Likely to Cross almost USD 753.05 Billion by end of 2028 – Zion Market Research “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Commercial Drone Market Worth $501.4 Billion By 2028 | CAGR: 57.5% “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Globe Newswire. “ Global Massive Open Online Course Market (2021 to 2026) – by Technology, Course Type, Provider Type and Subscription Model “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Refinery29. “ Proof That Scrunchies Are Back In A Big Way For Fall 2020 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• The New York Times. “ The End of a Return-to-Office Date “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Yieldify. “ Personalization Technology: Landscape & Trends for 2021 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Reusable Water Bottle Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material Type (Glass, Plastic, Stainless Steel), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Science Daily. “ Millennials and Generation Z are more sustainability-orientated — even when it comes to money, researchers find “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Shapewear Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End User (Male, Female), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 – 2028 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Grand View Research. “ Smart Lighting Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component, By Connectivity (Wired, Wireless), By Application (Indoor, Outdoor), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 – 2028 “. Accessed April 8, 2022.
• Fox Business. “ Americans will spend $15G on lifetime skincare, this cosmetics retailer claims “. Accessed April 8, 2022.

Brontë Fyke

Brontë is a UX/UI designer and marketer based in Los Angeles, CA. She's been creating and promoting content for over 4 years, covering a range of topics in the payment processing industry. Brontë is currently the Director of Marketing at PaymentCloud, a merchant services provider that offers business solutions for companies in all industries - no matter the risk.

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How to Write the Business Plan Products and Services Section

Get tips on writing the products and services part of your business plan

• The Products and Services Section
• What to Include
• Tips on Writing the Section

The products and services section of your business plan is more than just a list of what your business is going to provide. This section of your business plan should include details about how you'll price products and services, how you'll fulfill orders, and other details that investors need to hear before you can get funding . Learn more below.

Key Takeaways

• Business plans include details about products and services you'll offer, including exactly how you plan to market, sell, and deliver on customer orders.
• The best business plans are clear and concise.
• The products and services section of your plan should show off why your product or service is needed.
• The products and services section should also convey the expertise and experience you have to succeed.

Why You Need a Products and Services Section in a Business Plan

The business plan products and services section is the centerpiece of your plan. While other sections of your business plan are important, the products and services section is the essence of your business and the point around which every other part of the business plan is built .

What to Include in a Products and Services Section

The products and services section of your business plan outlines your product or service, why it's needed by your market, and how it will compete with other businesses selling the same or similar products and services.

Your products and services section should include a description of the products or services you are offering or plan to offer (including future products or services). You should explain how your products and services will be priced and a comparison of the products or services your competitors offer in relation to yours.

You should also include the sales literature you plan to use. Detail your marketing materials, and clarify the role your website will play in your sales efforts.

The products and services section will include a paragraph or so on how orders from your customers will be processed or fulfilled, as well as any needs you have to create or deliver your products, such as up-to-date computer equipment. If your process depends on intellectual property or legal issues, such as trademarks , then those need to be addressed.

Tips on Writing the Products and Services Section

This section of your business plan should excite those you're hoping will fund your business or work with you. To that end, here are a few tips to create a products and services section that appeals to the reader.

Indicate Why Your Product or Service Is Needed

Especially if you're venturing into a new concept or invention, or a place where there is no current market, you need to explain the need for your product or service.

Highlight the Features of Your Product or Service

A crucial part of business success is the ability to set yourself apart from other businesses that sell the same or similar products and services. What features, such as price point or level of service, do you offer that are unique to you?

Focus on Benefits

Unique features are important, but even more vital is how those features provide value to consumers. Translate your features (i.e., faster or cheaper) into benefits (i.e., get it now or save money). The goal is to highlight how your product or service will fix a problem or improve a client or customer's life.

Be Clear and Concise

Don't let your business plan get bogged down in too much description and information. Use bullets or numbered lists to quickly and easily highlight important information.

Show Off Expertise, Experience, and Accolades

You not only want to describe your products and services but also share why you're the best person to provide them. Include anything in your education or experience that makes you an expert in this business. If you have testimonials, awards, or endorsements, share those. Finally, if you've applied for a patent, copyright, or trademark, include that as well.

Be the Expert, But Use Layman's Terms

You should know your product, service, and industry well, but don't expect your potential funders and partners to have the same level of knowledge. Assume the reader doesn't know as much as you when you explain what you're offering.

Avoid acronyms and jargon when outlining your products and services.

Indicate What's Special About Your Products or Services

Will you be offering a special guarantee or refund policy? Do you have a quicker or more unique way of delivering your product or service? 

Speak to Your Customer

While you don't want to write an advertorial, you do want to be customer-oriented when you write your products and services section.

Examples of a Products and Services Section

The Small Business Administration offers business plan examples that you can draw from to help guide your writing. Here's an example of a products section for someone creating "Wooden Grain Toys."

Wooden Grain Toys will sell wooden toys made from solid hardwoods (maple, beech, birch, cherry, and oak) and steel rivets. The toys are handcrafted and designed for small children to easily use. Our line currently includes the following nine models:

• All-Purpose Pick-Up Truck w/movable doors and tailgate
• Dump Truck w/functioning dumping mechanism and box
• Biplane (two-seater) w/movable propeller
• Steam engine with coal tender - additional cars available separately: caboose, flat car w/logs, box car, tank car, coal car
• Flat-Bed Truck w/logs

Wooden Grain Toys will offer its products for the following prices:

• All-Purpose Pick-Up Truck w/movable doors and tailgate - $25
• Dump Truck w/functioning dumping mechanism and box - $30
• Biplane (two-seater) w/movable propeller - $20
• Additional train cars (single car) - $5
• Additional train cars (three cars) - $12
• City Bus - $12
• Tow Truck - $18
• Flat-Bed Truck w/logs - $35
• Sports Car - $20
• Sedan - $20

What Is Product and Service in a Business Plan?

A products and services section of a business plan clarifies exactly what your business will produce , how much it'll sell for, and other details along those lines.

What Are Examples of Products and Services?

A product or service can be anything a business creates to turn a profit. Some businesses have both products and services. For example, a restaurant's services include cooking for and serving customers. The restaurant's products are the dishes and drinks it creates.

Forming a new product development business plan

Table of Contents

Creating a product idea 

Outline the concept and idea, do market research , create a pitch, business planning for your new product development , creating the product, consider the finances, determine a price point , research profitability, marketing your new product  , product launch , create incentives , keep your finances in good shape.

Introducing new products can be a good way to grow your small business. In fact, a survey with Neilson found that 63% of those surveyed liked when businesses offered new products. These products can bring awareness to your brand and fit a consumer’s needs. They’re also a good way to earn more income. 

But product development can be time-consuming and lead to profits if it’s not well-planned. 

This guide will discuss how to create a new product development business plan, including: 

• Marketing your new product 

If you’re wondering how to create a new product development business plan, you may want to start with brainstorming.  

The idea for your new product is the first step in developing new things to sell for your business. These ideas should keep your target customer and market in mind. Try to consider what your customer wants from your product . For example, if you have a baking business, you may think of ideas for baked goods or baking tools. 

The idea will be the actual product you may develop, whereas the concept is its purpose and plan. You may want to create a list of ideas to narrow down to a final concept. 

When considering your ideas, outline a few key factors for its development. Ask yourself about the functionality of the product. Is it solving a problem or answering a question? Would your customers be interested in buying it? Is it realistic to create and sell? 

Once you narrow down your idea and concept, do market research to understand the product’s marketability. You might look at similar product listings, prices, and reviews to get an idea of demand. 

Compile some information on your target audience . Determine how stable this market is and how long it may last. If the trend doesn’t last long, you may not be able to profit from the interest before it goes away.  

Also, outline potential competitors to see how difficult it may be to convince buyers to pick your product. Then, determine what you can do to stand out. 

With your idea and concept, put together a pitch. This pitch can be the beginning of your new product development business plan. The pitch will include a product description , a development plan, and potential customer benefits. You could also put together a sample.

Then, give this pitch to a few people you trust. If they agree that it could be a beneficial and successful product, you can get started on a more detailed business plan for the product development. 

The development plan will outline how you’ll create the product and sell it to customers to earn money from it. We’ll cover a few things you may want to consider in this business plan. 

First, determine what you’ll need and how you’ll put the finished product together. You may want to get quotes from vendors to get materials for your new product. If it’s more of a service than a product, outline what it will offer and how you’ll successfully achieve the service for customers. 

To develop your product, you’ll need to determine the money you’ll need. Start by deciding how much it will cost to make the new product. Then, decide how many you might make for a release. 

Use your vendor quotes to estimate the cost of production. When putting together a budget for your development plan, look at startup costs and ongoing expenses for the new product. Then, determine if your business’s cash flow can support these. If not, you may need to consider funding options or start saving for the product development. 

Once you outline the cost of production, use that information to determine how much you’ll charge for your new product. You may want to establish a competitive price so buyers may choose yours over competitor’s. 

Your pricing will need to promote profitability. To do this, establish a profit margin, or markup, which is the product’s price divided by the cost of the production. This might be about 10-20% or more, depending on the industry and the demand.   

After deciding on your product price, project how much you could earn from it. Consider how many products you might sell in the first few months. Plus, decide how many you’ll need to sell to cover your startup costs and begin earning revenue from that new product.

You may also want to consult your current customers to see if they’re interested in the product. In addition, consider putting together a focus group to see what a sample of people thinks of the new product. With this new information, you can set sales goals and create a timeline towards profitability.   

The last part of your new product development business plan will be to decide how you’ll market that product to earn sales. You’ll need to create buzz around it’s release. 

To build awareness and promote sales, you can create a product launch event that celebrates the product and demonstrates its usefulness. Consider sending out a newsletter that announces it’s release or posting on social media with a launch countdown. 

Since it’s a new product, you may want to incentivise it to potential customers to try it. You could offer existing customers a discount or free trial of the new product. A trial can help you understand the product’s effectiveness and see if it needs any tweaking. Then, consider asking these customers to review the product for others to see how well it works. 

As you plan for new product development, you’ll need to manage your finances to support your business growth. Financial management can be stressful and time-consuming when you’re self-employed. That’s why thousands of business owners use the Countingup app to make their financial admin easier. 

Countingup is the business current account with built-in accounting software that allows you to manage all your financial data in one place. With features like automatic expense categorisation, invoicing on the go, receipt capture tools, tax estimates, and cash flow insights, you can confidently keep on top of your business finances wherever you are. 

You can also share your bookkeeping with your accountant instantly without worrying about duplication errors, data lags or inaccuracies. Seamless, simple, and straightforward! 

Find out more here .

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6 Free Business Plan Templates for Product Managers

Editor's note: Guided templates are now available in all Aha! Notebooks plans. (Templates are also available in Aha! Roadmaps , Aha! Ideas , and Aha! Develop .) Each template was created by product development experts, is fully customizable, and ready to use right now.

Lightweight business plans are not just for startups. These tools can be just as valuable for product managers at big companies with established products. Because even if you are not capturing plans to develop and build your company’s first offering, you still need to make a business case for the opportunity you are pursuing.

Rather than build out a business plan from scratch — start with a template that will help you quickly communicate what is most important.

A business plan can serve many purposes depending on your goals. You can use it to define the key elements of a new product you are developing. Or if you are at a mature company, it can be used to summarize your strategy for a new market opportunity.

Our team at Aha! knows how important it is to choose the right plan that serves your goals. That is why we include so many different types of business planning tools in our product roadmapping software — including a comprehensive business model builder based on our 20+ years of experience building breakthrough products and software companies.

But what if your company is not yet ready to sign up for Aha! or does not have access to these kinds of tools? You still need to organize your thinking, define your assumptions, and share your plans. So we created six business plan templates for you to download at no cost .

Along with SWOT templates and roadmap templates , these latest templates are designed to be quick and easy to use to help you with your strategic planning. The templates are fully customizable so you can adapt them to your unique situation and download in both spreadsheet and presentation file format.

Think about your most pressing need and who you will be sharing this information with. Because whether you are using a purpose-built tool or a static template for your planning, you want to choose the view that will work best for your audience.

Here are six scenarios where a business plan template can help:

Lay the foundation

Define the problem, understand the customer, survey the market, analyze the product, plan your marketing.

Often the most useful thing for a broad audience is to represent the foundational elements of your plan in a simple layout. In those cases, you want to present the fundamentals like key messaging, customer pain points, and future opportunities in a single view. This makes it easy for stakeholders from all across the company to understand the business model and provide their input.

Sometimes you want that single view, but you also want to center the conversation around the main problems the customer is trying to solve. The ideal template will direct your audience’s attention to the top customer challenges and succinctly capture how your product addresses each one.

Generally, you will not target your product at a single customer segment but several. Building a profile and business plan for each one is a lot easier when you start with a good template — one that lets you define both the set of customers and your approach to serving them. You can then compare and contrast the plans for each segment and decide which customers you are best positioned to deliver a superior product experience to.

You want to make strategic decisions. For that, you need to see the competitive landscape . You do not want to react to every competitor move, but you do need to know what alternatives customers have to your product. Start with a template that summarizes the market and outside threats — both existing and potential.

Just as you need to understand the market, you also have to be realistic about your product’s place in it. A business plan that conducts a strategic analysis of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats can illuminate what your product is doing well and where it can do better.

In order to successfully market a product, many teams focus on the 10Ps: product, price, people, process, promotion, programs, place, physical environment, partners, and positioning. The right template allows you to answer the key questions about each of these elements. Then, together, the team can develop and execute a winning go-to-market strategy.

The right template can help you make your product plans easily understandable for your key stakeholders.

It helps you zero in on what is most relevant and present it in a visually accessible and logical layout. When others can grasp the information and provide their insights, it makes your plan that much stronger.

Build product like you always wanted. See for yourself — start a free 30-day trial.

Additional resources

Business plan templates

How to build a business model

What is a business roadmap?

Ron builds lovable products. He was the vice president of product management and UX at Aha! — the world’s #1 product development software . Ron has more than 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship and leading product teams. Previously, Ron founded and sold his own company and has been on the founding team of multiple venture-backed companies.

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What is a product plan and how to create one in 6 steps

Whenever I read about the next hot, new start-up with unicorn potential, I can’t help but think of Pinky and the Brain .

Both titular characters in the mid-90s animated TV series are genetically modified laboratory mice. Brain is hyper-intelligent; Pinky, not so much.

Brain’s primary objective? World domination:

Pinky : Gee, Brain. What are we going to do tonight? Brain : The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world.

In each episode, Brain devises a diabolical yet half-baked plan — for example, manipulating the world’s biggest magnet to form discarded satellites to spell “Brain is your ruler” — that invariably ends up foiled.

What does this have to do with product management?

Devise a product plan to take over the world

If you want to make an impact with your product and solve all your customers’ problems, don’t be like Brain; take the time to devise a product plan before you make your first move on your quest for market domination.

Creating roadmaps and backlogs is a great start, but product planning covers a much wider scope.

In this guide, we’ll define what product planning means, why it’s important, and the components and steps involved in creating a product plan.

What is a product plan?

Product planning covers all the steps, activities, and decisions a company must perform and make to develop a successful product.

A product can be defined as an input-outcome device. The input is the customer value proposition and the outcome is the company’s profit. Product planning includes everything you need to do internally to get from input to outcome.

It starts with a recognized customer need — after all, customers don’t just buy a product, they buy what the product will do for them to solve a problem they are having. It ends when the product has reached the end of its usefulness from a business perspective.

What is the purpose of product planning?

Product planning encompasses the actions and components that contribute to achieving a specific outcome. Product management is all about realizing outcomes.

Before jumping into the how and what, let’s first understand why product planning is important by outlining its six objectives:

• Company survival
• Meet customer needs
• Increase sales
• Understand and manage strengths and weaknesses
• Better manage capacity
• Plan effectively

1. Company survival

The eye of the tiger, survival of the fittest — or as P. Diddy said, it’s all about the Benjamins .

Product planning allows you to focus, remain viable, and understand your ability to innovate. It also helps you clarify how to introduce, grow, and sunset products in highly competitive markets.

2. Meet customer needs

The customer is at the heart of any product. Thorough product planning will set you up to understand and meet your customers’ needs. This, in turn, helps you quickly move customers from evaluators to champions through the product-led growth flywheel .

3. Increase sales

Your product can be lightyears ahead with brilliant solutions to customer problems, yet if they are not interested in the solution and don’t buy the product, your product fails.

For example, virtual reality seems to have finally found product-market fit . VR technology though, is not new.

In the 90s, VR was on the rise and forecasted sales potential was off the charts. Unfortunately, VR systems such as the Virtual Boy failed to deliver; its poor ergonomics and underwhelming stereoscopic effect gave users terrible headaches.

With better product planning, Nintendo might’ve been able to craft a more sophisticated product that satisfied customer expectations and, as a result, increased sales.

Over 200k developers and product managers use LogRocket to create better digital experiences

4. Understand and manage strengths and weaknesses

Product planning allows you to look introspectively and analyze your strengths and weaknesses in light of market requirements. What does your product do really well? What qualities distinguish it from competitors? What does your product lack and what do competitors do better?

By asking and answering questions like these, you’ll gain a better understanding of what you can take advantage of and what you need to improve in your product.

5. Better manage capacity

What’s one thing every company has in common? Limited resources in terms of capital, material, and human resources. Product planning enables you to plan these optimally and get the most out of them.

6. Plan effectively

When you’re building products, you have many competing priorities . Will you invest in new features, enhance and improve existing ones, reduce technical debt , or spend more time on improving discovery and delivery processes ? Product planning allows you to meet your long-term strategic plans.

6 considerations for product planning

Now that we understand why product planning is essential, how do you go about doing it?

Creating a successful product plan involves the following considerations:

• Research before development
• Choose a delivery method
• Coordinate activities
• Set a price
• Commercialize the product
• Abandon unprofitable products

1. Research before development

Energy to get going: Check. Confidence it will work out: Check.

Validation that the idea will deliver what customers need? [Buzzer sounds].

Before jumping into the deep end of product development, start with extendive market and user research. The insights gathered therein will help you establish what characteristics and requirements your product must fulfil to meet customers’ needs.

2. Choose a delivery method

All roads lead to Rome. The question is, which is the most efficient?

This is even more applicable when it comes to product delivery. Which delivery method will enable you to develop your product or feature exact how the customer needs it to be?

3. Coordinate activities

Product planning aims to coordinate all the initiatives and activities around the product and its investments. Doing so allows you to improve your competitive position and strive for market leadership. It also helps you quickly respond to changing market conditions.

4. Set a price

Product planning helps you determine the ideal price point for your product.

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The insights gathered during product planning can help you determine the best pricing strategy. For example, is your product most suitable for value-based, competitive, price skimming, cust-plus, penetration, economy, or dynamic pricing?

5. Commercialize the product

Product planning helps you uncover and validate the viability, feasibility, and desirability of your product.

Desirability speaks to satisfaction of customer needs and the commercialization of the product. This measure helps you ensure viability and, hopefully, rake in profits.

Product planning also considers how to best introduce the product to the market and continuously measure success post-launch .

6. Abandon unprofitable products

All good things eventually come to an end. Every decision in a product is a business decision, and there will come a time that further investment in a product or product feature becomes unprofitable.

At that point, a decision has to be made whether or not to sunset the product or feature.

Good product planning throughout the product lifecycle helps you recognize when it is time to abandon the product and sunset it in a structured way with minimal impact on customers.

How to create a product plan in 6 steps

OK, enough small talk. It’s time to deep-dive into the product planning process.

Product planning involves six steps:

• Market and user research
• Concept ideation
• Screening and testing
• Introduction and launch
• Product lifecycle

1. Market and user research

Before you start to build, it’s crucial to understand the problem you’re trying to solve, the market drivers, competitors, and customer needs. You can generate insights on all of the above through market research.

Competitive analysis , a subset of market research, is a structured approach to identifying and analyzing competitors.

Both are conducted to identify markets, investigate market positioning , and analyze the business’s success.

Through customer segmentation research, which is especially important to new businesses, larger customer groups are divided into different groups with personas.

The personas form the basis of user research, which is aimed at understanding potential customers’ problems, habits, interests, motivations, and more.

2. Concept ideation

A great product starts with a great concept and initial validation of that concept. This step is arguably the most fun and creative step.

During the concept development stage, you define what you are trying to build by figuring out how well it solves the identified problem, how easy it is to use, what it will cost the customer, the look and feel of the application, and so on.

A key step in this process step is product discovery and a continuation of user research, which enables you to uncover the problems the persona faces and the solution to aim for.

Concept ideation sources can be both external and internal. Externally, market and user research influence concept ideation. Internally, concept ideas originate from sales, customer support, marketing, engineering, designers, user research, executives, and investors.

3. Screening and testing

During screening and testing, the ideas generated during the concept ideation phase are critically evaluated.

The goal is to groom out ideas that are either inconsistent with the product vision , undesirable, and/or impractical.

After evaluation, the next step is to rigorously prioritize ideas . As the Highlander said, “ There can only be one .” This is not to say you should only test one idea; it just means you should pursue the most promising tests first.

There are plenty of prioritization frameworks to choose from with some of the most commonly used include:

• Value vs. effort
• MoSCoW method
• Opportunity scoring

Once you have a prioritized list, you should devise a hypothesis and experiment to verify or disprove it.

In product testing, customers are given an opportunity to try a prototype. This helps you understand whether customers understand the product idea, what they like or dislike about it, and whether they would ultimately buy and use it.

The concept ideation, screening, and testing as a whole are often covered in the Double Diamond approach, which is a design process to help you discover, define, develop and deliver solutions.

4. Introduction and launch

After a few iterations of screening and testing, the new features and usability improvements deemed ready to pursue and develop trickle through and are ready for development and launch.

In this step, the idea is converted into a product. It’s the PM’s job to schedule activities to ensure a successful product launch with a high adoption rate .

When ready, the product is launched and commercialized. If your product planning is sound, it should be poised to compete with existing products and maximize market share and profits.

5. Product lifecycle

After the product is launched, the real fun begins. Now it’s time to measure and analyze usage to gather new insights about whether or not your product launch was successful.

Using these insights, you can modify and enhance the product, introduce new features, improve usability, and help the product move from introduction to growth.

At a certain point, you’ll reach product maturity. The number of customers and sales will stabilize. Eventually, new investments in the product will have a harder time generating additional revenue. It will become increasingly challenging to compete.

Eventually, the product will decline, and the number of customers and sales along with it. This might be due to existing competition or the introduction of new products that are more advanced and better serve the customer’s needs.

Think about how the Walkman was surpassed by the Discman, which was overtaken by the mp3 player, and, eventually, an app on your phone.

6. Sunsetting

When a product is in decline, it’s time to sunset it. Sunsetting is also known as the end of life and usually involves deprecating the product.

Though it might feel difficult to say goodbye to a product that you birthed, nurtured, and watched grow, sunsetting a product is a perfectly natural part of the product lifecycle.

During the sunsetting phase, it is important to be diligent. You should devise a playbook or checklist to ensure all activities, such as communication, code clean-ups, and so on are covered during the end-of-life period.

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70 Small Business Ideas for Anyone Who Wants to Run Their Own Business

Published: March 19, 2024

A good business idea may seem hard to come by, but with some planning and preparation, you can easily launch a small business to supplement your income — or become your own full-time boss.

Maybe you already have an idea of the business you’d like to start. But while you might feel ready for a new venture and passionate about your idea, you might be looking for some direction.

To help get you started, here's a list of small business ideas separated into a few sections:

• What makes a good small business?

Best Small Business Ideas

Best businesses to start with little money, home business ideas.

• Online Businesses Ideas

Easy Businesses to Start

Business ideas for students, creative small business ideas, how to start a small business at home, starting a small business: faq.

The first step to becoming a successful entrepreneur is finding a business idea that works for you. In this article, you’ll find dozens of small business ideas you can start from home and scale up as your clientele grows. Let’s get started.

What makes a good small business idea?

Not all small business ideas are made equal: Some require more effort and funding than others, while some can be launched with few resources — or resources you already have. As a potential small business owner, you’ll want to save as much money as possible on training, rent, supplies, and other necessities.

Let’s go over what makes a good business idea:

• Requires little to no training . A good small business idea will ideally leverage your existing field of expertise and require little to no training. That will not only shorten your time-to-launch, but also lessen your expenses, since training courses can cost a significant amount of money. Plus, you’ll be more confident offering services that you feel prepared to deliver.
• Requires low setup costs. Your business should be cheap to start. Maybe you only need to purchase a website domain or buy a desk for your garage.
• Requires little hands-on inventory or supply management . A great business idea needs few supplies and little inventory management. If you want to sell physical goods, you can either try drop-shipping and manually make goods in small batches.
• Is based online . The best small business ideas are based online and can be carried out from your personal computer. This will automatically lower your commuting costs and give you greater flexibility over your personal and work life.
• Can sustainably be managed by few people . As a small business owner, you won’t have the funds to hire other people to help you run your business — at least not at first. A good business idea should give you the ability to run your business on your own.

Free Business Startup kit

9 templates to help you brainstorm a business name, develop your business plan, and pitch your idea to investors.

• Business Name Brainstorming Workbook
• Business Plan Template
• Business Startup Cost Calculator

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Airbnb Co-founder, Brian Chesky, said, “If we tried to think of a good idea, we wouldn’t have been able to think of a good idea. You just have to find the solution for a problem in your own life.”

If you’re like Brian and you’ve already thought about a solution for a problem you encounter in your life — or you’re on the path to doing so — then starting a small business may be in your future. It may also be for you if you dream of clocking out of your nine-to-five job for the last time and becoming your own boss.

Below, we include the best ideas for you to start your small business — with resources and examples to help you get started.

1. Handyman

8. Life/Career Coach

If you have experience navigating career, personal, and social transitions successfully, put it to good use as a life or career coach. Many of us are looking for guidance in our careers — and finding someone with the time to mentor us can be tough.

Life/career coaches don’t come cheap, but they are able to offer clients the intense and hands-on training and advice they need to make serious moves in their personal and professional lives. After all, everyone needs some uplifting advice from time to time.

To start your life/career coaching business with confidence, you can look for a certification program (like the Life Coach School’s or Diane Hudson’s ), then apply your skills as you acquire new clients.

A resume writing business is economical, has few overhead costs, and has few educational requirements. We still recommend having an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree and a few resume samples on hand. If you still feel that you need to brush up on your resume writing skills, you can take a course like Coursera’s or LinkedIn Learning’s .

Once you’ve gotten resume writing down, you can expand your business to include cover letter writing and even offer career coaching services in conjunction with these services.

10. Freelance Writer

If you have writing skills , there’s someone out there willing to pay you for them. Write blog posts, magazine articles, and website copy galore — just make sure you have a body of work built up to share with potential clients. Even if you create a few sample pieces to have on hand, they’ll help exhibit your work and attract new business.

To become a freelance writer, it’s essential to choose a specialty. For instance, you might choose to only write for publications in the healthcare industry (maybe because you were previously a healthcare worker) or focus on lifestyle publications. Whatever the case, specializing will help you find your niche market and gain confidence as a new freelancer writer.

There are no educational requirements for freelance writing, but you do need strong writing skills. It also helps to enjoy writing. While certification may be beneficial, getting practice and writing every day is more important. Try these writing prompts to start.

11. Landscaper

Mowing, tree-trimming, and seasonal decor are all neighborhood needs. If you have or can acquire the equipment, a landscaping business can be a lucrative affair. It’s also a great choice if you enjoy doing it for your own home and have a good eye for landscape design.

The good news is that you can start small. For instance, you could offer your neighbors seasonal planting services and start with a few perennial plants, or simply offer mulching services.

To grow your landscaping business, you should consider taking some formal training. The following organizations offer courses:

• New York Botanical Gardens

After completing a course and getting enough experience, you can apply for a certificate from a landscaping organization. While a certificate isn’t necessary to work in the field, it can build your credentials and help you make industry connections to take your landscaping business to the next level. The Association of Professional Landscape Designers offers one potential certificate you could pursue.

Some states require licensure, especially if you’ll be using pesticides and fertilizers. Be sure to review the requirements for your state.

Learn some of the basics now with this video on landscape design from Lowe’s:

12. Videographer

Video production requires you to have invested in the equipment up front, which can be quite expensive. But that’s also what makes your services so valuable. Make sure you have a reel of your work to share or create a website with several selections of your work available for interested viewers.

There are no educational or licensure requirements for starting a video production business. As with writing and other creative arts, though, it pays to specialize. Real estate videos differ radically from wedding videos, and wedding videos differ radically from in-studio interviews and testimonials. By specializing, you target a highly specific customer who’ll benefit the most from your services, and you can also skill-up more effectively in one shooting style.

While you can find general classes on videography, you should consider taking a class in the type of videography you’d like to do. For instance, you could take The Complete Wedding Videography Course .

Hot tip: If you’re interested in specializing in video marketing, check out The Ultimate Guide to Video Marketing and download our starter pack below.

13. Photographer

Start by conducting photo shoots for your family and friends. As you build a body of work, ask for referrals and reviews. Photography businesses often grow by word of mouth, so create a Facebook page where you can tag recent clients. Photos where you tag those clients will show up in their friends’ newsfeeds, where they can view your work. You can also ask them to leave reviews on your Facebook business page.

Like with a video production small business, you’ll want to specialize. Will you do product shoots or portraits? How about wedding or fashion photo shoots? Once you specialize, you’ll be able to create a body of work that most accurately represents your strengths.

There are no educational or licensure requirements for starting a small photography business. Still, we recommend investing in a few photography courses, especially if you haven’t used your camera in a while. Some courses you might start with include:

• Cornell’s Digital Photography Certificate Program
• New York Institute of Photography’s Course

From there, seek courses that help you build skills in your chosen specialty.

If you’re not sure where to start with freelance photography, take a look at Erica Clayton’s journey into the business below. Her advice? Give yourself a firm deadline to turn a profit.

14. Bed and Breakfast Owner

Some consulting industries are more competitive than others, so be sure to complete your research before starting a small consulting business. One way to find out how competitive a consulting niche is by doing keyword search . If your target niche is highly searched or is already dominated by big companies, you may have a harder time breaking in. You can use keyword research tools to uncover keyword volume and local demand.

12. Event Planner

An event planning business is an excellent choice if you have great organizational and interpersonal skills, and it’s relatively cheap to start. You might choose to specialize in a specific type of event — like weddings or company meetings — or set yourself up as an event planner of all trades.

The good news is that event planners are always in demand. It’s not an easily automated job, so this small business idea is set to thrive regardless of the digital landscape. To start, you’ll want to look for a platform that will easily allow you to advertise your availability, such as event planner directories like Eventective and WeddingWire .

If you’re highly organized, detail-oriented, and have experience planning large events, it might be time for others to benefit from your skills.

13. Personal Assistant

Personal assistants help business owners and executives take care of administrative tasks. To launch a freelance personal assistant business, you should leverage networking opportunities on LinkedIn and attend small business events at local chambers of commerce. Most local business owners might not even know they need a personal assistant until you market your services to them.

If you’re an organized, highly-detailed person, the life of a personal assistant might be for you. Don’t want to be tied to one office or person all day, every day? Consider becoming a virtual assistant, which allows you a more flexible work environment.

To become an assistant, choose a niche — will you be helping women business owners specifically? Do you have a specific field of expertise, like bookkeeping? A website can also go a long way, and be sure to print business cards for you to hand out during networking events.

14. Consignment Shop Owner

If you have an eye for style but don’t want to invest in the inventory of a brand-new boutique, consider starting a consignment shop. It will allow you to curate a collection of clothing that matches your goals and aesthetic without the overhead of a boutique selling entirely new garments.

The beauty of a small consignment business is that you can now start one online. You can sign up on a platform such as Poshmark , Depop , and even Etsy , then easily start selling your own used fashion from home.

Once you’ve defined your niche — such as vintage clothing, unique locally made art, or colorful shoes — you can begin sourcing new products from your local stores and thrift shops.

15. Caterer

If the personal chef gig is too restrictive for your schedule, consider catering instead. Pick your projects, work on fewer but larger events, and hone in on your time management skills.

Becoming a caterer is a natural step for those who are used to cooking for large events — for instance, you may have already catered your friend’s wedding or brought a 20-person meal to a potluck (that counts, too!).

It’s essential that you have enough temperature-regulated storage for the meals prior to each event, and that you arrange for reliable, temperature-controlled transportation to and from your home kitchen. Alternatively, you can lower your costs by inviting customers to pick up their order at your home.

16. Gym Owner

Kickboxing gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit, oh my! Turn your passion for fitness into a community for others by creating your own gym — start one from the ground up, become an affiliate, or open a franchise location.

Available franchise opportunities include Anytime Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, Pure Barre, Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness, and more. Be prepared to take out a loan to finance your franchise — most agreements start with fees upward of $20,000. But the payoff can be tremendous due to brand recognition. You’ll have no trouble recruiting new members as long as you use local marketing strategies .

Alternatively, you can create a local studio, but ideally, it should be for a specific activity instead of general fitness. Yoga, pilates, bootcamp-style gyms, and martial arts perform well as independent fitness studios.

17. Boutique Agency Owner

What’s your specialty? Whether it’s marketing, social media, or PR, it might be time to start your own agency. Many other small businesses need this type of help but don’t have the resources or volume to necessitate a full-time position.

To start an agency, you would ideally have worked in your specialty for a number of years. You should also be prepared to interface directly with clients, fulfill their requirements, and temper their expectations (if they want results in an unreasonably short amount of time).

Consider building a small team and learn from other entrepreneurs who’ve successfully started their own agencies, like Duane Brown of Take Some Risk .

18. Coffee Shop Owner

Turn your caffeine addiction into something a little more lucrative. Opening a franchise or buying an existing shop are lower-risk entry points to the coffee game, but they usually require a little more cash upfront. Starting a shop from scratch requires more planning and work — but it also maximizes your earning potential in the future.

A coffee shop is an excellent fit if you already have a full-time remote job and wish to supplement your income with a small business. You can manage the coffee shop as you work at one of the tables, but be sure to have the budget to hire an experienced barista who can pick up the slack.

If you would like to open a coffee shop and run it full-time on your own, you’ll need to undertake barista training, understand worldwide coffee sources, and have excellent customer service skills.

19. Moving Company

A truck, moving equipment, manpower, and the correct permits and insurance are the building blocks of starting your own moving company . Before you buy your first fleet of trucks, however, start small with a moving van and keep your costs low.

Still sound like too much of an initial investment? Consider offering packing services only, which have a much lower financial barrier to entry. You can partner with moving companies and offer to do their packing, or have them refer clients to you.

You could even take a niche approach to the industry as Astro International has by offering international moving services.

2. Vending Machine Owner

Since 2015, the growth rate for vending machine businesses has increased 1.4%. Even as social distancing restrictions are still in place, this business can still be lucrative if you choose the right locations. High-traffic is key — places like hospitals, schools, and community centers are smart places to start placing your machines to generate enough revenue to cover cost and turn a profit.

3. Social Media Manager

Do you have a knack for social media? As a social media manager, you can use your skills to manage the social media accounts for companies and even individual people. Influencer marketing has become more common and many influencers rely on marketing agencies or employees to help them run their social channels.

Online Business Ideas

If you want a business idea that you can run entirely online, check out the ones below. These ideas are ideal for those looking for a passive income stream. In other words, you shouldn’t need to do too much manual work to launch these businesses from your home or preferred business location.

1. Become an online reseller.

To become an online reseller, all you need is some business savvy and some funds to invest in product stock from manufacturers — or, of course,the willingness to sell your own used items. Generally, this is a low-touch but high-performance way of creating a passive income online business.

Online resellers usually use a platform, such as Facebook Marketplace or Amazon Sellers, to sell either their own or manufacturers’ stock. The benefit of using Facebook Marketplace is that you can begin today with your own Facebook account, and simply list items that you already own.

Interested buyers typically drive directly to your home for pick-up — but if you’re not interested in human interaction, you can leave it outside and have the buyer pay via an online platform.

Blogging is one of the most accessible small businesses to start, and there are countless niches to choose from. That said, because there are many blogs online, you’ll need to learn blog SEO and keyword research to ensure your audience finds you. That way, you actually make money out of your blogging efforts.

The great news is that a small blogging business has a ridiculously low overhead. All you need is a custom domain and your time for writing blog posts.

5. Home-Baked Goods Seller

Warehouse-made, store-bought chocolate chip cookies will never compare to a batch made with love in someone’s home. Simple desserts can be easily baked and packaged to sell at local events or around your neighborhood. Use custom labels and watch the word spread about your goods!

You can begin a baked goods business easily by opening a Facebook and Instagram profile. Facebook and Instagram are both excellent platforms to market your goods, show pictures of your previous baked products, and even showcase happy clients.

Build a loyal following slowly, and save on costs by asking clients to drive to your home to pick up their order. Choosing a niche can be helpful here, or baking in a specific style that can’t be found at grocery store bakeries. The overhead can be especially low if you already have most essential baking supplies.

6. Ecommerce Store Owner

Do you create, collect, or curate anything special? Consider starting an ecommerce store and turning your hobby into a full-time job. Whether you need somewhere to sell all that pottery you’ve been making, or an excuse to search for the sports memorabilia you love tracking down, an ecommerce store can make it financially viable for you to pursue your passion.

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Starting an ecommerce store is simple and easy. You can set up a shop using an ecommerce website builder , all of which start at a minimal monthly subscription (some even start at free). Be sure to take good photos of your products and write descriptive product pages .

If you don’t have inventory, you can always own an ecommerce store by using dropshipping . Instead of creating and shipping your products yourself, you’ll instead partner with a dropshipping website and have them mail out the orders directly to your client.

7. House Cleaner

With a low barrier to entry, house cleaning can be a great way to start doing what you love — soon. Consider advertising to homes in your neighborhood and get more bang for your buck by earning a few small businesses as clients as well. They’ll usually bring in a higher paycheck for a similar amount of work.

To become a house cleaner, you should be prepared to invest in cleaning supplies and accessories, or be willing to use your own. If you plan to serve small businesses, you should buy industrial janitorial supplies so you can get work done more effectively.

Need some inspiration? This small business cleaning service grew virtually overnight on Instagram after their content went viral during the pandemic.

Learn more about choosing the right structure for your business from the Small Business Administration.

6. Create a business bank account.

Once you have a legally formed business and have been issued an Employer Identification Number (EIN), open a bank account specifically for your business. Having a business bank account is essential for keeping your personal and business finances separate which can help you gain an accurate picture of your business’s cash flow and financial health.

Additionally, keeping your personal and business finances separate makes bookkeeping and tax preparation easier.

Many banks offer business checking and savings accounts. Business checking accounts typically do not have a limit on the number of transactions that can take place, and issue a debit card that can be used for making business purchases. However, these checking accounts do not accrue interest.

Business savings accounts typically earn interest over time but have a limited number of transactions that can occur each month. When you’re just starting out, look for a business bank account that does not have a minimum balance requirement so you are not penalized for having low funds as you work to build your business.

7. Determine if your business idea works well from home.

Ask yourself whether your business idea will work well from home. Some businesses simply aren’t suited to be based from home. If you want to run a dog boarding center but live in an apartment without a backyard, you might want to consider a dog walking business instead.

8. Set up an office.

If your business idea is well-suited for being run from home, it’s still important you have a designated workspace. While a home office might not be possible, consider setting aside a corner in your living room or putting a desk in your bedroom for a space that inspires you and creates the conditions for success.

Need a more professional space? If you conduct client-facing work requiring you to be on video calls, no one wants to see your rumpled sheets in the background. Check out local coworking spaces for memberships that earn you access to conference rooms, desk space, and more.

9. Get to work!

You’ve put in the hard work, but I’ve got bad news — it’s only going to get harder. But most entrepreneurs will agree that the payoff of being your own boss, making your own hours, and working on projects that you’re passionate about will pay dividends for the rest of your life.

What are the types of small businesses?

The types of small business structures are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations.

• Sole Proprietorship — The simplest type of business structure is a sole proprietorship, which is also the easiest to start. As a sole proprietor, you are personally responsible for the business's liabilities and profits, and you have complete control over your business. If you are a solopreneur, you are automatically considered a sole proprietor.
• Partnership — A partnership is a business model involving two or more individuals who agree to share the business‘s profits and liabilities. Each partner contributes to the business and shares the risks and rewards. It’s essential to have a partnership agreement that defines each partner's roles and responsibilities to ensure clarity and prevent potential misunderstandings.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) — An LLC, or limited liability company, is a common option for small businesses because it protects its owners by separating personal assets from the company's liabilities. To form an LLC, the business owner must file the required paperwork with the state.
• Corporation — A corporation is an independent legal entity distinct from its owners. It provides limited liability protection to its shareholders, who are not held personally accountable for the company's debts. Corporations have formal requirements and often raise capital by issuing stocks or shares.

Which business type is best?

The best business type is a limited liability company (LLC). Operating as an LLC means that your personal assets are separate from your business assets. If your business goes bankrupt, your personal holdings won’t be affected. That said, it’s also one of the costlier types, requiring a fee paid to the state.

The easiest business type to start is a sole proprietorship. The main downside is that there’s no differentiation between you and your business.

It's crucial to seek advice from legal or accounting professionals to determine the best business structure based on your unique needs and objectives. Each structure has advantages, legal requirements, tax implications, and flexibility considerations.

How do I create a business idea?

To create a business idea, determine your skill set, work preferences, startup budget, and available resources. It’s important to strike the right balance between what you can feasibly offer and what you can feasibly afford in the short and long term.

We recommend starting with your skill set so that you can easily determine the niche in which you can effectively compete. For instance, if you have ample experience as a writer, you might consider starting a freelance writing business. But if you know you’d prefer to work with clients face-to-face, you might choose to start a ghostwriting business instead. That’s why it’s so important to take your work preferences into account, as well.

After that, take a look at your budget and determine the type of business you can start based on the resources at your disposal. For instance, you might not be able to afford a physical office or location, so a location-based business will likely not be a good fit. In that case, starting an online business is your best option.

What resources or tools can I use to refine and validate my business ideas during the brainstorming process?

Online market research tools like Google Trends, Keyword Planner, and SEMrush can provide insights into market demand, competition, and keyword trends related to your business niche. Industry reports and market analyses from reputable sources such as IBISWorld, Gartner, Statista, and industry-specific publications can offer valuable data and trends to inform your decision-making. Ensure you know the industry risk before embarking on your small business venture.

→ Download Now: Market Research Kit [Free Download]

Additionally, joining entrepreneurial communities, forums, and social media groups can provide opportunities to seek feedback, network with like-minded people, and gain insights from experienced entrepreneurs. Finally, consider conducting surveys or interviews with potential customers to gather feedback and validate your business concept before investing significant time and resources.

What are some of the most successful small businesses?

Every small business has the potential to be successful and profitable, provided it’s backed by a strong product-market fit and a robust business plan . These two elements are essential. Maybe postnatal services are one of the most successful small businesses to launch, but if you live in an area with declining population or a large elderly population, then that small business idea won’t yield a high return on investment.

Think carefully about the market where you’re launching your business, and you’ll be more than likely to see lasting success.

What are the top growing small businesses?

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Written by Jesse Sumrak | November 10, 2023

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So you want to find a new product idea to sell online? Well, chances are you typed something like “new product ideas” or “good product ideas” into Google, hoping you’d find the answer.

Nothing wrong with that.

However, the problem is you’re searching (and finding) the exact same thing as everyone else. These “new” ideas really become what everyone’s already doing and selling.

We’re not going to list out a bunch of product ideas here—that’d defeat the purpose of you finding what your customer needs .

Instead, we’re going to show you how to come up with new product ideas (that don’t suck) you can sell online. Your brand-new ideas might be inspired by products that exist, but you’ll be empowered with creativity and freedom to make them your own.

Remember good ol’ Henry Ford? There’s a quote attributed to him that goes like this: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”

This article will help you give your customers what they need instead of just faster horses.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Product Idea “Good”?

How to Find Your New Product Idea

How to Validate Your Product Idea

Create a Strategy

How to Make Your Product Different and Better

New product ideas faqs, what makes a product idea “good”.

First, let’s help differentiate the good product ideas from the bad ones. Here’s a few tell-tale signs of each:

Signs of a Good Product Idea

• Addresses a Need: Good product ideas solve problems. These can be huge problems (like Elon Musk battling climate change) or minor problems (like alleviating someone’s body odor). Don’t set out to find a product. First, find the problem. Next, find (or build) the perfect product to solve it.
• Provides Solid USP: Your product needs a unique selling proposition (USP) that makes it better than any other product on the market. That USP could be related to features, pricing, scalability, or even speed of delivery. A good product could be exactly what’s on the market, but maybe your manufacturing is more scalable, so you can drive down prices for customers? That’s a new product idea.
• Has Profit Potential: The best idea is just a notion unless you can make a plan to (1) create it and (2) make it profitable. That means you’ll need to consider expenses, pricing, supply and demand, the size of your addressable market, and current competition. Can Be Easily Communicated: You’ll likely need to secure funding from lenders or investors. If your idea’s too complex, you will struggle to get financing. Plus, your customers will face a barrier to entry.
• Makes You Happy: Don’t start selling a product you don’t care about—that’s a recipe for a sleazy MLM. You should be able (and excited) to attach your name and photo next to your product. That’s a sign you’re proud of it.
• Is Worth Paying for: There are plenty of products out there that make you think, “Oh, cool!” However, you don’t want to just impress passing-by customers—you want them to open their wallets. Ensure your product is worth paying for and not just a fun concept.

Red Flags of a Bad Product Idea

• Offers No Identifiable USP: Your customers should be able to identify your USP. If they can’t figure out what makes your product different from the rest, then it’s likely inadequate.
• Confuses Customers: If you have to convince customers it’s a good product, it’s probably not. Your product should be able to market itself without a 60-minute infomercial.
• There’s No Demand: Some problems aren’t worth solving. You’ll need to validate your product idea to ensure your target market doesn’t just think it’s a good idea, but they’re willing to spend their hard-earned money to buy it.
• It Already Exists: Do your research. There are many entrepreneurs out there, so ensure your new product idea doesn’t already exist. If it does (or did), learn more about it. How’s it doing? Why did it fail (or succeed)? How can you do it better?

Write these ideas down, and share them with someone you trust. If you come up with a product idea you’re in love with, you’ll likely see all the good and none of the bad. It’s natural. However, if you give your idea an objective look-through, you could discover fatal flaws before it’s too late.

Don’t Skip: Ecommerce Business Ideas That Yield Powerful Results

Now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to start searching. If inspiration comes from mountain meditation or long hikes in the wilderness, go get after it. But if those product-finding methods let you down, here are some places to start:

1. Ask Your Customers

This approach goes against Henry Ford’s famous quote, but your customers almost (almost) always know best. Start there.

If you have customers, send out surveys or conduct interviews to figure out their problems. If you don’t have customers yet, identify your target market and start there.

You could even find a subreddit you’re interested in and open up conversations there. For example, if you’re into hiking and want to find a product idea that solves hikers’ needs, you might join the r/Hiking, r/Backpacking, or r/Ultralight subreddits. Browse the conversations there, probe into complaints, or just flat out ask people what they want.

You could start by asking what’s challenging them or what they would like fixed. Dig deeper and ask what they think could solve it. They might not always know the answer to the second question, and that’s OK—that’s ultimately your job to figure out.

Once you identify a problem, start determining your customers’ willingness to pay to fix it. If it’s nothing (or not a lot), it’s probably not an issue worth solving.

If the problem is worth solving, start thinking of a product. Don’t worry about perfecting the design and all the components just yet. Once you have a prototype or a draft, ask your customers if they would be interested in something like this. If the answer is “yes,” then you know you’re on the right track.

2. Spot What’s Hot

Look for what’s trending on ecommerce sites or social media platforms. What’s doing well? Why? Can you replicate it and make something better?

For example, if everyone is raving about online learning, is there a course you can create to solve a need? If a course already exists, can you make one that’s better or more affordable?

Remember, fads come and go. If you jump into a trend early, you can capitalize on the moment and get out before it cools off. If you join too late, you might end up investing in a product with quickly diminishing demand.

One way to ensure you stay on track is spotting needs within the trends. For a while, air fryers were a hot topic across the news and social media feeds. However, they didn’t solve any desperate needs—they just gave people new healthy-ish ways to cook food. After a while, the hype petered out, and now there’s a bunch sitting unused in consumer’s closets.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Steal

“Good designers copy, great designers steal.” These famous words spoken by painter Pablo Picasso apply to much more than design. You don’t need an entirely original idea—you just need to copy, steal, and iterate to make the next best thing.

Even smarty-pants Elon Musk didn’t do anything exceptionally revolutionary—he just took a popular model of cars (which have been around for over a century) and made them electric, powerful, sexy, and exclusive. OK, he did more than that, but you get the idea.

Or take a look at Jibbitz . Jibbitz capitalized on Croc’s popularity (still don’t understand why people wear these shoes) by creating charms to let wearers personalize their footwear. Jibbitz essentially piggybacked on another brand’s success to hit it big, and Crocs ended up buying the tiny startup for $10 million .

You could also think about all of today’s social media apps. Remember when Instagram stole Snapchat’s model and added Stories to their platform? And then every other social media platform did the same thing?

Or remember when Bird and Lime started littering every city in the US with electric scooters? A couple of months later, Uber, Lyft, and several other brands were already on the scene.

You don’t need to come up with something brand-new. Borrow, steal, and Frankenstein your own product idea—just make sure it has a USP that beats out the competition.

4. Think of Upsells and Cross-Sells

If you’re already selling goods, you don’t necessarily need an out-of-the-box product. A closely related product has the potential to succeed, and it also could boost your existing merchandise sales.

For example, if you sell shoes, you could expand into shoelaces or socks. If you sell online courses, you could expand into e-books or in-person classes.

While you’re thinking about it, look at ways you could improve your existing product. Are there simpler, cheaper or more robust, costly versions you could provide? For example, you can find about 3 different models of every new soccer footwear: budget-friendly, middle-of-the-road, and premium.

Can you do the same thing with your products? If you sell an online course, you could have a condensed cheaper version or a more comprehensive expensive version.

5. Find Your Own Problems

You (yes, you) are a consumer, too. What problems do you have? Is there a day-to-day issue you wish you could solve? There’s a good chance your personal persona belongs in a niche market—if you can find a problem you want to solve, there might be other individuals (hopefully lots of them) with the same issue.

Don’t worry—we’ll get into validating your idea later to ensure it has legs to stand on. But don’t discount your problems. This method doesn’t take long processes or intensive research. Just think about what really bothers you and how you wish you could solve it.

Take Airbnb, for example. Founders Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky struggled to pay rent, so they decided to rent out airbeds on their living-room floor to conference attendees in San Francisco. The next day, the pair created a website—6 days later, they had 3 tenants sleeping on their floor.

Codeacademy started as a Columbia University programming club . Co-founder Zach Sim struggled to learn new coding skills on his own, so programming native (and cofounder) Ryan Bubinski used Sims as a guinea pig to create a self-paced learning experience that became Codeacademy.

Don’t overlook your own problems. Create a solution that’s worth paying for, and you’ll likely find other customers just like you.

6. Experiment with AI Tools

Consider artificial intelligence (AI) tools as your best friends when it comes to ideating on new product ideas. They might not be as reliable as a mentor or co-founder, but they can quickly help you sift through ideas and automate a lot of the validation process.

For starters, ask ChatGPT about potential product ideas in an industry or sector that interests you. Have a conversation with the AI to narrow things down. Provide it with feedback to help refine future responses. You’d be surprised how clever it can be in helping you figure out your own thoughts.

Beyond the first ideation stage, you can also use AI tools to help with everything from market insights and competitor analysis to prototyping and trend forecasting:

• Market Insights: AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify market trends, consumer preferences, and emerging needs. Use a tool like Crayon to provide market intelligence which can help in discovering new product opportunities.
• Competitor Analysis: AI tools can automate the tracking of competitors’ products, prices, and customer reviews, which can spark ideas for new or improved products. Try a tool like Kompyte to track competitors in real time to inform strategic decision-making.
• Prototyping: AI can help in creating prototypes and simulating how products will perform under various conditions. Tools like ANSYS Discovery offer real-time simulation to quickly evaluate design alternatives.
• Trend Forecasting: AI can help predict upcoming trends, which can be invaluable for product development. Tools like Trend Hunter use AI to identify and forecast trends to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Validate. Validate. Validate.

Have an idea for a product? Fantastic! Don’t do anything with it yet.

Hear us out.

Before you go off to the races or start digging down deep into rabbit holes, validate your product idea. You don’t want to devote any time or money (or worse—get personally attached) to an idea that’s going to crash and burn.

While we can keep asking theoretical questions and playing with ideas, sustainable businesses are only built when money changes hands. If it’s going to succeed in the long-term, it needs to pass a stress test. Here’s how to do it:

Smoke Test With a Landing Page

Build a landing page that highlights the benefits (and pricing) of your product. Drive traffic to the page with organic (social media and email) and paid (PPC ads) strategies, and then see what your customers do.

Do they click the “purchase now” button, or do they leave without taking action? Set a click-through rate goal for what you want the page to achieve. If it hits that goal, then you can feel confident in actually creating and scaling the product. If not, then you might want to rethink your idea.

This smoke test helps you find out if people are really willing to buy your product. Friends, families, and colleagues might say your idea is great, but a real audience with real money will give you the cold, hard truth.

The whole process for your smoke testing landing page should only take a few days. Don’t spend too much time making a fancy landing page—keep it minimal with the basics.

At foundr, we’ve launched a lot of online courses, and we make it a practice to validate every one before we put in the time and money to make it a reality.

Flesh Out Your Entire Strategy

GTM. Manufacturing. Shipping. Financing. All of it. Figure out the logistics of how your new product idea is going to come to fruition. Do all of this research before you start building prototypes and websites.

You might find a logistical component that shuts down the whole product idea, so do your due diligence:

• Sourcing Your Product: How are you going to build or buy your product? Do you have enough money and resources? If it’s something like an online course or e-book, do you have the skills and bandwidth to bring it to fruition? If not, can you hire someone?
• Go-to-Market (GTM) Plan: How do you plan to launch and market your product? What price does it need to be to beat out competitors, draw in customers, and help you earn a profit? What channels will you need to use to reach your audience?
• Shipping: How will you get your physical or digital product from you to your customers? Will it be through email or the post office? Will they need a login, or will it be a downloadable product?
• Financing: Where are you going to find the money to make this happen? Do you have a rich uncle, or will you need to ask a bank for a loan?

It’s a lot to think about. We know. Yet it’s critical you think about all of these things before pursuing a new product.

The best idea could check all your boxes, but if you don’t have the money, time, or means to make it happen, it’s not going to be a good idea.

Unique Value Propositions

A Unique Value Proposition (UVP) is a clear statement that explains how your product solves customers’ problems or improves their situation. It delivers specific benefits and tells the ideal customer why they should buy from you and not from the competition.

Crafting a compelling UVP requires a deep understanding of your customers’ needs and desires, as well as the market landscape.

Different Is Better than Better

In a competitive market, being different often holds more value than merely being better. Differentiation creates a blue ocean of opportunity, whereas being better often leads to red oceans where competition is fierce.

Aim to redefine the problem you’re solving or offer a unique solution that sets you apart from the competition.

Take Existing Problems and Solve Them in Different Ways

Innovation often comes from taking existing problems and approaching them from a new angle. This can be achieved by applying different technologies, utilizing unique materials, or employing unconventional methodologies. Look for inspiration in adjacent industries or entirely different fields to find novel solutions to old problems.

Product Innovation Framework

A systematic approach towards product innovation can be segmented into four main dimensions:

Focus on user-centric design that not only looks good but also enhances user experience.

Utilize design thinking methodologies to empathize with users, define problems, ideate solutions, prototype quickly, and test your assumptions.

2. Function:

Enhance or add functionalities that solve problems in a more efficient or enjoyable way.

Leverage cutting-edge technologies to enable new features or improve existing ones.

Consider innovative pricing strategies that could make your product more accessible or appealing.

Explore different business models that could differentiate your product in the market, such as subscription models or pay-as-you-go.

Consider when a product becomes available and how long customers have the opportunity to buy it, adding a sense of urgency and scarcity to the marketing mix.

By integrating these elements within your product development strategy, you can ensure that your product not only stands out in the market but also delivers exceptional value to your customers, thereby securing a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Keep Learning: What Can I Sell Online to Make Money?

What factors should I consider when evaluating a new product idea?

First and foremost, your product must solve a need. The next step is framing the product for a specific customer group. That's called a unique selling position. You also need to evaluate if customers will pay for your product at a profitable cost. Lastly, ensure your product aligns with your business's mission, vision, and brand.

How can I protect my new product idea from being copied by competitors?

This can be tricky. Getting a patent on an idea is the easiest way to protect your product. You can also trademark the name of the product and imagery. Unfortunately, these protections are expensive. So don't spend too much time worrying about people stealing your idea. Instead, invest your capital in making a product that solves a unique problem compared to competitors in your space.

How much does it cost to come up with a new product idea?

Nothing. Ideas are free. And if you do enough research or can identify problems, you're one step ahead of the competition. But if you're looking to implement an idea, the cost can range anywhere from $2K to $20K, depending on the product or industry.

Commit to Your New Product Idea

Get started developing your product by reviewing our free 500 product ideas guide .

About Jesse Sumrak

Jesse Sumrak is a writing zealot focused on creating killer content. He’s spent almost a decade writing about startup, marketing, and entrepreneurship topics, having built and sold his own post-apocalyptic fitness bootstrapped business. A writer by day and a peak bagger by night (and early early morning), you can usually find Jesse preparing for the apocalypse on a precipitous peak somewhere in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

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I had over $15k in bills that I am being told to pay because they did not pay them and money that I paid towards and beyond the "deductible" for services and then was stuck. I spoke with several attorneys but nobody wanted to discuss.

As much as I appreciate the refund, 124.13. It doesn't touch the amount owed to the hospital. I do believe we still owe 37,000.00. Nor the premiums paid for nothing. The way I see it...is the big wigs of this scam, took our money and spent it on themselves. Sell everything they have and there families have to repay these people us. I'm sick over this debt of ours.

I have given them $15,184.80 in the past 10 years too my benefit keeper. I should be getting a big refund for this scam

ALTTHOUGH IM HAPPY THAT THIS WS NOTICED AND THE COMPANY WAS PUNISHED IT DOESNT MAKE UP FOR THE $10,000 THAT WAS LOST WITH THIS COMPANY IN BOGUS COVERAGES AND CLAIM ...$340 IS WHAT I GOT

In reply to ALTTHOUGH IM HAPPY THAT THIS… by TAYLOR ATCHISON

My refund was $197 even though I paid them over 3 years!

I've been paying for a Medicare plan I did not SIGNUP for. I NEVER had access to the company, the card, or the benefit letter. The company has many products listed that they deal with...and to even find the address and proper phone number has been a nightmare. I'm in process of reporting to FTC as my bank keeps getting mislead (3x s). Wish me luck $13,000.+ Has been deducted in total.

In reply to I've been paying for a… by EDrach.

Report Medicare fraud to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

They are still billing me and can't get anyone on the line to cancel

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• The exploration of these devices comes after Apple killed its self-driving car project. 

Apple is in the early stages of looking into making home robots, a move that appears to be an effort to create its "next big thing" after it killed its self-driving car project earlier this year, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg .

Engineers are looking into developing a robot that could follow users around their houses, Bloomberg reported. They're also exploring a tabletop at-home device that uses robotics to rotate the display, a more advanced project than the mobile robot.

The idea behind the smart display robot is to mimic a person's head movement, such as reacting during a FaceTime session. It would also include a feature that zooms in on a particular person in a crowd during a video call. This device initially caught the attention of senior Apple executives years ago, though they've disagreed over whether to continue with the project, Bloomberg said.

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The report about Apple's new efforts comes after a series of recent blows to the company. Since the start of 2024, Apple has been hit with declining iPhone sales in China, a nearly $2 billion fine from the EU, and an antitrust lawsuit from the DOJ.

It also scrapped its decadeslong, multi-billionaire car effort, Project Titan, earlier this year, shifting its focus to building AI products. Apple has been criticized as lagging behind companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google, which have all released chatbots.

The bet on home robots could be an attempt to regain its new-product mojo eventually. The company reportedly started exploring robotics in 2019. At the time, Doug Field, now an EV executive at Ford, was leading the project and was joined by leaders across the home product space to work on things like quiet indoor drones.

After Field left the company in 2021, Bloomberg says Apple's robotics efforts zeroed in on domestic products. One idea Apple explored was a robot that could do chores like washing dishes and be used for video calls. However, the concept was shelved because of engineering obstacles, according to Bloomberg.

It's not yet clear whether Apple's robots will make it to consumers. But Apple appears to have laid some groundwork. At least one engineer who used to be on the car project's hardware team has been moved to the home and robotics division, according to Bloomberg. Sources also say that SafetyOS, the operating system that would've given the car self-driving capabilities, could technically be repurposed for robots.

Still, home robotics are nothing new. The Roomba, for instance, is a popular autonomous vacuum cleaner created by iRobot that Amazon tried to acquire in 2022. Smart speakers and thermostats are also common in people's homes. Meantime, Apple's latest non-robotic launch, the Vision Pro, has had mixed reviews .

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider before publication.

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