13 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a New Business

Last Updated on November 15, 2023 by Dr. Gabriel O’Neill, Esq.

Passion is one of the driving forces that has led to the emergence of the world’s best entrepreneurs and businesses. However, passion alone cannot fuel and build an entire empire. Many fail to realize they need to sit and think out every aspect of their plan before executing it. 

When this isn’t done, it leads to the demise of businesses before they even have a chance to hit the market, which is why it’s worth every penny to invest time into the planning so you know which mistakes to avoid when starting a business. 

This article will highlight the top 13 most common business mistakes you should avoid when starting a new venture. 

What Are the Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Business?

• Failure to outline a business plan
• Not thinking about the chances of failure
• Being disorganized
• Inadequate funding
• Improper pricing
• Failure to realize market demands
• Registering the wrong legal structure
• Making it a one-person show
• Poor understanding with investors
• Unplanned hiring
• Not choosing the right insurance
• Failure to acquire a business license
• Uncalculated expansion

1. Failure to Outline a Business Plan

Many entrepreneurs do not think of making a business plan before executing a business idea. This common mistake in business can easily be avoided to prevent failure to thrive within the market. 

Documenting a plan does not have to be time-consuming or lengthy. A simple document highlighting the most fundamental aspects of your business model and how to run it can save your business from trouble down the road.

2. Not Thinking About the Chances of Failure

50% of businesses fail within the first five years due to numerous reasons. When launching a business, it’s essential to note that where success is probable, it also comes with a possibility of failure. This is why it’s vital to sit down and look at all the reasons which could lead to your business failing and work towards goals that can help you avoid this failure. 

More importantly, even if a company does fail, it should be taken as a learning experience rather than letting it overtake your drive to become a business owner. This is one of the fundamental mistakes to avoid when starting a business.

3. Being Disorganized

Organizing your business startup is an integral part of planning, and if you cannot organize your goals, there will be many loopholes within your plan and its execution. Poor organization also leads to poor record keeping, which can be a significant mistake in business. 

4. Inadequate Funding

Not all businesses require the same type of funding. Some businesses, like restaurants, need a substantial initial investment due to heavy startup costs. In contrast, an online business, such as one providing services like content writing, web development, and graphic designing, requires little to no monetary investment. 

Hence, estimating the cost of running your business and keeping it afloat until profit is made is crucial. To get better estimates regarding funding, it’s best to approach a business consultant to get an estimate of your costs. 

Read our article on how to finance your small business to learn more.

5. Improper Pricing

Not properly pricing your products is one of the critical mistakes to avoid when starting a business. While your products must be marketed at a reasonable rate, it’s not wise to devalue them to aid in sales and compete with other companies in the same field. 

Lower prices can initially help you gain customers. However, in the end, it can hinder expansion and create many issues with maintaining product quality when and if inflation causes difficulty in sourcing raw materials.  

6. Failure to Realize Market Demands

A great business idea in your mind does not mean a great product for consumers, and the business is likely to fail where there is no demand within the consumer population. 

Failure to realize market demands is one of the mistakes to avoid when starting a business. Without a following, there are no sales, and when there are no sales, the company is sure to fail.

7. Registering the Wrong Legal Structure

If you do not file for the proper legal business structure, you may be subject to personal liability for business debts and obligations. This means that your assets, such as your home or savings, could be at risk if your business cannot pay its debts. Thus, avoid this business mistake at all costs.

Additionally, you may have difficulty raising capital, as investors will be reluctant to invest in a business that does not have the proper legal protections. Therefore, it’s essential to consult with an attorney or accountant to ensure that you are filing for the correct business structure.

Learn about the legal requirements for starting a small business in our article.

8. Making It a One-Person Show

This is one of those business mistakes that many new entrepreneurs make. In business, it can be tempting to try to do everything yourself. After all, you are the owner and want everything to be perfect. However, this is not always possible or even desirable. 

Trying to do everything yourself can lead to burnout, employee resentment, and, ultimately, a less successful business. It’s important to delegate tasks, build a strong team of employees, and trust that they will do their jobs well. This will free up your time to focus on the big picture and help your business run more smoothly.

9. Poor Understanding With Investors

If you collaborate with the wrong investors in a business, it can lead to several problems. The first is that they may not have the same vision as you for the company. This can lead to disagreements, and ultimately, the investors may try to take the company in a direction you are not comfortable with. 

Additionally, if the investors are not committed to the business, it can lead to a lack of funding and resources, making it difficult to grow the company. Finally, if the investors are not supportive, making decisions and moving the company forward can be challenging. Therefore, avoid making this mistake in your business.

10. Unplanned Hiring

Hiring too soon in a business can be detrimental to the company’s growth. The company may not have the necessary resources to support a new employee, and the new hire may not be adequately trained. Additionally, the company may be unable to afford to pay the new employee a competitive salary, which could lead to high turnover rates.

If a business hires too soon, it may end up with an employee who is not a good fit for the position. This can lead to problems down the road, such as the employee not being productive or causing issues with other employees. 

It’s essential to take the time to find the right candidate for the job and ensure they are a good fit for the company before making a hiring decision. Hiring the wrong people is one of the common mistakes to avoid when starting a business.

11. Choosing the Wrong Insurance

Starting a business is a substantial financial undertaking. One of the most significant expenses for a business is insurance. Insurance protects businesses from lawsuits, property damage, and other unexpected costs. Many companies choose to go without insurance because they cannot afford the premiums. This is a huge mistake in business. 

If something goes wrong, the business will be responsible for all the costs. This could easily bankrupt a small business. Make sure you get the right insurance for your business. It could save you a lot of money in the end.

When it comes to business insurance, there is no one-size-fits-all policy. The type and amount of insurance you need depends on the size and type of business you have, as well as the industry you’re in. If you are unsure what kind of insurance your business needs, talk to an insurance broker who can help you assess your risks and find the right coverage.

12. Failure to Acquire a Business License

If you forget to get a business license, you may be subject to penalties from your city or state. Depending on the severity, you may be fined, or your business may be shut down. To avoid these penalties, research your business’s requirements, and apply for a license as soon as possible.

13. Uncalculated Expansion

If a business expands too quickly, it can lead to financial problems. This is because the company may not have the necessary resources to support the growth. Additionally, the business may not have the infrastructure in place to handle an increase in business. This can lead to poor customer service, which can damage the reputation of the business.

Finally, expanding too quickly can also lead to employee burnout, as the workforce may be unable to keep up with the demands of the growing company.

Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a New Business – Conclusion

There are many mistakes in businesses that can be made when starting a new venture, but there are some that are more costly than others. These include not doing enough research, not having a clear business plan, not understanding the market, and not having enough adequate capital. 

Additionally, it’s important to have a good team in place and to avoid making any hasty decisions. Overall, detailed planning and a solid team can help with any business mistakes you would typically make.

For more information, read our article on the advantages and disadvantages of a business.