computer networking business plan pdf

How to start a computer networking business

Table of Contents

Planning for your computer networking business 

Market research , specialisation, computer engineering skills , equipment and software, budget and funding, business plan , setting up your computer networking business, register your business, manage your taxes , defend yourself with insurance , organising your computer networking business , daily operations, payment management , financial management, business current account, accounting software , marketing your computer networking business , brand your business , lean into digital marketing , network your computer network , computer networking towards success , organise your finances with this time-saving financial app.

With a computer networking business, you can use your software skills to help people connect their devices and communication channels. This industry is in high demand now as people value interconnectivity . 

By developing this kind of business, you could help people store and share data, and communicate across different devices. 

But you may wonder how to take advantage of this market and excel in it. In fact, starting a small business can be challenging, especially when you enter a market with larger competitors. 

But a small-range computer networking company can help local communities and organisations simplify their lives. So, if you’re wondering how to start a computer networking business , we can help. 

This guide will cover how to start a computer networking business, including:

Part of knowing how to start a computer networking business is setting yourself up on the right trajectory.

To start forming a plan, you’ll need to conduct market research . This type of research can show you essential information about the climate you plan to enter. 

Market research can teach you about:

• The market demand.
• Relevant competitors. 
• Popular products and services.
• Industry statistics. 
• Market trends. 
• Your target audience. 

As a result, you can develop your business idea further to make it sturdy and profitable . 

With your market research in mind, consider how you’ll make your computer networking business unique. Having a specialisation or unique selling point will help you convince customers to choose your company.

For example, you might focus on a specific sector within computer networking, like connecting small business communications. Or you could market yourself as a better, more personable option to larger companies. 

From there, you can outline what services or products you’ll sell. Planning and developing this is essential to creating a professional finished product. You might build your own computer networking software, for example.

Having a unique approach will help you stand out. But, you’ll also need to have the right skills, such as computer engineering and IT. If you don’t have qualifications, you might pursue a course or diploma. 

You might seek a course or university degree in computer engineering, computer science, or software development. 

Having formal credentials and experience will help you look prepared and professional . It will also allow you to set up and develop a flourishing business. 

Search for courses here . 

You’ll need the right tools to create your computer networking services. With software development tools, you can build a computer network to sell (Such as Linx or DbSchema ). 

Then, you’ll need a sturdy computer and a strong internet connection. 

If you’d prefer, you could outsource some of your service development or use already developed software. In this case, the overhead costs will likely be higher because you outsourced some of the work or brought in a third party. 

You’ll also need to consider the necessary money to get started. Outline the startup costs, or the money you’ll need to cover the essentials from the beginning. 

Then, outline what it’ll cost to run your business, considering regular expenses and operating costs. 

Knowing your business spending will help you understand what funding you might need. If the starting costs are lower, you could save up and invest your own money. 

If you need external funding, you might seek an investor or apply for a loan . These approaches lead to debt or less control in your business. But they are easy ways to get money now and pay it back over time. 

You’ll also need to create a starting budget for your business. This budget outlines what you plan to spend and hope to earn.  

Understanding your regular expenses will help you create realistic and profitable pricing for your services. With this in place, you can track and control your finances better. 

See also : How to budget for starting a business

Once you develop your idea and approach, put this information into a business plan . The business plan will outline your:

• Products and services 
• Goals and objectives 
• Operations 
• Finances 

Your business plan will guide you through setup and growth. But it will also help you secure funding if you need to. 

Most funding applications require a well-developed business plan. The success of your application depends on how well you sell your idea and prove it’s low financial risk. 

Without a written business plan, you’ll be walking through the dark from the start. This document connects everything and makes it happen. 

Once you have a plan together, knowing how to start a computer networking business requires a bit of setup. Establishing the legalities of your new business will help you build a successful foundation. 

To set your business up legally, you’ll need to register with the UK government . You can choose two routes for registration:

• Sole trader – you’re personally and financially responsible for your business. But, there are fewer taxes and fewer record-keeping and regulations. 
• Limited company – the business is a separate legal entity from you, meaning you only risk what you put into it. As a result, you’ll pay more taxes and abide by greater regulations. 

When choosing the right legal structure for your computer networking business, consider the size of the operation and overall production costs. If you plan to start small, a sole tradership might be the right pick to start. 

See also : How to set up your business: Sole trader or limited company

You’ll need to pay taxes based on what you earn for your business.  

Small businesses will likely pay:

• Income or dividend tax
• National Insurance  
• Corporation tax – limited companies only 
• Value Added Tax (VAT) – VAT registered businesses, which expect to earn over £85,000 annually 

People with variable annual income must submit a Self Assessment tax return to determine what they owe. 

Plus, you may want to read up on Making Tax Digital (MTD), which is a government initiative to digitise and simplify the tax process. 

Key tip : Keeping clear and updated financial records will help you report accurate statements. See the financial organisation section to learn more. 

Insurance is crucial to protecting your business, and it’s finances. For example, you’ll likely want to get data protection or cyber insurance for your computer networking business. 

You can find options for cyber insurance at Superscript . 

The key to success is organisation. So, part of how to start a computer networking business is structuring it well. 

If you know how to maintain smooth operations and manage client needs, people will be more willing to work with you. 

Organised calendars, clear to-do lists, and strong communication will help you stay on top of the demands of your business. 

Plus, your services may be confusing or complicated to the untrained eye. So, it’s essential to focus on strong customer service. 

Since your operations are entirely online, online organisation tools will be lifesavers.

Here’s a few tools that can simplify your day-to-day organisation: 

• Google Workspace – business management 
• Trello – project management 
• HubSpot – marketing and content management 
• Zendesk – customer service software

See also: What is operations management? 

Managing your daily operations will help you satisfy clients. But, the right payment method will make it much simpler to bring cash into your business . 

Computer networking services are something clients will likely need continuously. So, you could charge a monthly subscription for your software to earn a continuous profit from customers. 

On the other hand, selling your software outright could translate to larger one-time earnings. Then, if you want to sell products, you might develop tech to pair with your software (think video cameras or smart locks). 

But how will customers pay you? For a tech-based digital business, you might focus on accepting card payments online. For example, you could design a website with a secure payment system. 

You’ll need to choose software and open a merchant account to accept credit cards. 

Here are some secure online payment method options:

Once you have a way to accept money from clients, consider how you’ll manage that money. Businesses need to track what they spend and earn to understand their position and make strong decisions. 

Financial accounting is more than just essential to success, it’s a requirement for small businesses . The HMRC expects you to keep accurate financial records and keep them for about six years. 

See also: How to understand financial accounting  

To get organised, you’ll want to separate your business finances from your personal ones . To do this, open a business current account . 

You’re required to open a business current account with a limited company. But, sole traders can also benefit from a unique bank account for their business. 

By putting your business transaction in one place, you won’t have to search through bank statements to find business expenses. It’ll be much easier to keep everything in order. 

Accounting software is another essential tool to financial management, like Countingup . A business account with built-in accounting software, this app helps you stay on top of your finances. 

The Countingup app offers cash flow insights to help you understand the money that comes in and out of your business. With this updated information, you can make better decisions and track your budget. 

Plus, the app will simplify your tax process by arming you with year-round tax estimates. Countingup is also MTD-compliant, allowing you to instantly share your financial data with your accounting without worrying about errors. 

Once you plan, set up, and organise, it’s time to draw in some customers. Marketing is essential to starting a computer networking business. It lets you grow an audience and win over a client base. 

Branding is the first step to any strong marketing strategy. Developing a unique identity for your business will help your audience notice and remember you. 

Start by considering which colours and tone might represent you. For example, you could make an effort to simplify the complicated IT language to appeal to your target audience. 

Then, create a business logo and marketing materials that use your brand identity and work well together. You might use a tool like Canva to design these for free. 

Key tip : Your brand is your business’s identity. Make sure it represents you well. 

Next, create a website for your computer networking business. This website will explain what your business is and the services it offers. Make sure you include a contact page, so it’s easy for people to reach you. 

Here are some popular website business platforms (that you can do yourself):

• Squarespace – offers cool modern features 
• WordPress – most extensive option, but might take a bit of practice 
• Wix – really easy to use

Apart from a website, you can market yourself using social media platforms. Using these platforms will give you access to their nearly 4 billion worldwide audience . 

For computer networking, you might target organisations and businesses on LinkedIn. 

You can also use platforms like Facebook and Twitter to share tips and share your unique selling point.

Networking is another great way to learn more about your industry and access relevant groups or potential customers. You can network your business on LinkedIn, or find relevant groups within the industry (like Tech Nation ). 

You can also find events on sites like: 

• Eventbrite  

So, now you know how to start a computer networking business. With the right plan, setup, organisation, and marketing, you can’t go wrong. Though it’ll take some time and determination, it’ll allow you to help people connect. 

Countingup is the business current account and accounting software in one app. It automates time-consuming bookkeeping admin for thousands of self-employed people across the UK. 

Save yourself hours of accounting admin so you can focus on growing your business. 

Start your three-month free trial today.

• Counting Up on Facebook
• Counting Up on Twitter
• Counting Up on LinkedIn

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Information Technology Business Plan Template

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

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

2. Remember it's just an example

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

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

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To create a plan that fits your needs , you need to know what you intend to do with it.

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Networking Strategy Plan

Networking is what you call the act of creating multiple connections and work relationships that can benefit your business or your professional career in any way. It involves establishing a mutual alliance that can bring positive results to the members of both parties. You may also see quality plan examples & samples .

• 9+ Recruitment Strategy Plan Examples
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Networking is essentially done by exchanging basic information details such as your name or your business’s, a phone number, an email address, and a physical address.

If you have gone through what we call the preliminary aspect of networking, you will then move on to discussing your field. What is going on in your line of career? Do you have any plans of expanding your business operations or perhaps release a new trademark product? You can also exchange suggestions and survival tips with the people you meet through networking. You may also like company plan examples & samples .

Maybe they know where you can find an A-list job in your area of expertise. Or maybe you can give them ideas on how to better their business’s services.

Online Internet Strategy

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Networking Strategy Design

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The Three Forms of Networking

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Networking is a chance for you to meet people who share the same business-related interests as you. Aside from exchanging information, this is actually an effective method of marketing. Whether you are trying to sell yourself to future employers or you are trying to sell your business to prospective investors. You may also see sales plan examples .

Networking gives you an excuse to stay in the business field and roam around each corner to look for a pair of suit and tie that can give you something you can use to climb a step higher in your field.

Contrary to what most people think, networking doesn’t only happen during business meetings, conferences, and corporate parties. In fact, as long as you are out where people are, you have already given yourself a chance to network. Ordinary places can surprise you with how many corporate workers they hold. The gym, for example, is an endless source of networking opportunities. You may also like advertising plan examples & samples .

The grocery, a coffee shop, the people you meet during your town’s club meetings, your child’s school, these are all a suitable environment for networking. You can even use social media sites to network. Who said the Internet was a waste of time? There are discussion groups in blogs, newsgroups, and forums that you can use as a networking medium. You may also check out event plan examples & samples .

As long as you know exactly where to look and where to display yourself, the people will effortlessly come to you.

The friends of your present colleagues are also a networking opportunity.

Ask your present contacts to introduce you to people they know (and who are also related to your business field) and keep a long list of all the contacts you will be given the chance to meet. This way, your list will keep growing and growing, and the number of people you have networked will be bigger and bigger. Networking is all about using the instruments around you no matter what form they take. You may also check out action plan examples .

Social Media Networking Strategy

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Network Marketing Definition

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Online Marketing Blueprint

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Successful Networking Tips

What Are the Effective Networking Strategy Plans?

Although networking sounds easy because you basically only have to talk to a stranger and maybe hope to give him one of your business cards , it’s actually a lot trickier. When done poorly, networking can give you or a business you represent a bad image. You don’t want a person you tried to network to badmouth you. It is important to understand that word of mouth is not only your greatest weapon. In networking, it is also the sharpest sword an enemy can use against you.

Even if you have a business plan prepared for the next five years, it will not suffice. You need to conduct constant networking not only to make new connections but to deepen the ones you already have. And to avoid an unsuccessful, not to mention embarrassing, networking opportunity, here are the strategies you need to live by:

1. First of all, you need to ask yourself the purpose of your networking.

As with everything else, no plan could really be successfully carried out without a clear and definite goal. The same rule goes with networking. Before you decide to take part in it, explain to yourself first why you have to. If you don’t understand what you’re trying to achieve, you can never really design the most accurate strategies that can you help you in achieving them. You may also see daily plan examples & samples .

There are a lot of reasons behind why someone involves himself in networking. Here are a few:

• to find new businesses and contacts;
• to build new relationships and to maintain the existing ones;
• to find a sponsor or a mentor;
• widen your career prospects;
• to create a positive, lasting image of yourself in the market;
• to gather a team of experts; and
• to increase your knowledge of your market and to gather new ideas on how to better your performance.

2. Once you have decided on what you’re networking for, you can proceed to determining the number of people you will network.

Networking takes time. You can’t simply approach a person and divulge every detail about you or your business. Of course, you have to establish rapport first and that can be time-consuming. Because of this, you should only limit yourself to a number. This can also push you to make every connection memorable because you only have one chance and a few minutes to state your point. You may also like annual plan examples and samples .

If you have multiple reasons for networking, you can create a different estimated number for each one. For example, you are networking to find new businesses and contacts. If this is a major priority, then you can spend more time doing this than, say, finding a mentor. Be smart with your time when you network so you can be assured that you have covered enough ground and still have time for other things. You may also check out project plan examples .

Creating a list of people who are already in your contacts is also effective. You can browse through everyone you know and list down all of those who can be helpful to you in your present pursuit. This way, you have already created a prospect with which you can start. You might be interested in management plan examples .

3. When you’ve successfully established the first two steps, the next thing to do is to identify the people you should network with.

Unfortunately, the entire world is not going to be able to help you achieve your networking goals. Which means that your options are limited. However, if you make the most out of each one, these limited resources can actually be enough already. You may also see audit plan examples & samples .

What you have to do first is to lay down one purpose for your networking. Then, work out who can help you achieve that . Is it a person you already know? If so, you’re already one step closer. However, if this person is someone you have not made any contact with, find a common bridge. Do you know someone who might know this person? Work your way toward meeting someone by going through people both of you might know. You may also like work plan examples & samples .

You can also target companies and organizations as a medium to help you accomplish your task.

4. All of these three steps are nothing if you forget this last one: review and act.

Let not your networking strategy plan remain what it is—a plan. After you have settled all the details you need, review it all. Your networking strategy should be faultless. To accomplish that, you have to keep reviewing and editing it until you are sure that it takes the form that will work best for you.  

Are you sure that your purpose for networking will really benefit you or your business? Will they help you achieve your goals quickly? Are you maintaining balance between creating new contacts and keeping and taking care of the existing ones? Is your networking purely internal or purely external? Won’t a combination of both work better? Have you created a deadline for yourself? If not, do you think you can do well without one? You may also check out implementation plan examples & samples .

Networking Strategy Tips

Social Media Networking Benefits

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Social Media Networking Framework

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Networking Approach

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Understanding what you want to achieve and the things you need to do to achieve them is a crucial aspect of successful networking.Your networking strategy plan will tell you how you are going to achieve your networking goals, so you need to make sure that you have chosen the right elements that will help you do exactly that. You may also see financial plan examples & samples .

However, a long list of prospective contacts can only do so much to help you. The rest of the job needs to be executed by yourself. Here are a few tips to help you do better in every meeting or networking opportunity:

1. Practice.

“Practice makes perfect.” This line is a pioneer in the cliche department. But it’s only cliche because, after numerous times of being used, it’s still true. You cannot be good at something if you don’t practice in that field. The same rule goes for networking. You may also like job plan examples & samples .

Meet a lot of people, attend as many conferences as you can, go to a lot of networking events. You’d be surprised at the number of interesting people you can meet if you try. And you’d be surprised at your own improvement if you keep performing your craft. You may also check out business plan examples .

2. Be tenacious.

You are going to get a lot of rejections and even more defeatist responses from the people you’re going to meet. Make sure you develop a thick skin against all that. If you let a negative criticism stop you from what you are trying to accomplish, you will never get anywhere. You might be interested in weekly plan examples .

3. Be nice.

It’s true what they say about our world. It’s getting smaller and smaller every day. The people you’ve met may just be the people you would need in the future. It is important, especially in networking, that you try to create as many bridges as you can. Don’t burn them down. Be genuinely nice to people. You are in an industry that treats human connection with utmost importance. Bear that in mind every time you meet someone. You may also see transition plan examples & samples .

4. Keep communication going.

Although networking is all about meeting new people, maintaining a good working relationship with your present contacts is just as important. Don’t just call the people in your database whenever you need them. Networking is all about creating a mutualistic relationship with people. So preserve your communication and show them you’re not just in this relationship, this partnership, for the benefits you can take from them. You may also like risk plan examples & samples .

5. Exude warmth.

As cheesy as that may have sounded, it’s important. The image that you present to people will establish how they will react to you. Do people see you as friendly or are you intimidating? Do you make people want to talk to you or do you repel them? Make sure that you present a positive aura that can naturally attract people. You may also check out evaluation plan examples & samples .

6. Access the right resources.

You don’t have to be extravagant in your attempt to network with people. The good thing about this craft is that you only need people and people are everywhere! There’s no need for expensive parties and extensive effort. Even the simplest, most ordinary setting can work for you if you play your cards well. So make sure that you do. You might be interested in research plan examples & samples .

In whatever type of business you are engaged in, it is important to understand the value of people as your major resource. Your business can only go as far as your employees and your connections take you. This is why networking is important. To survive in the corporate world, you will need as many people in your team as you can. Every introduction, every handshake, can make big difference in your business. Make use of it.

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IT Services Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

IT Services Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their IT companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating an IT business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write an IT business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is an IT Services Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your IT business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for IT Company

If you’re looking to start an IT business or grow your existing IT company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your IT business to improve your chances of success. Your IT business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for IT Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an IT business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for IT companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for an it services business.

If you want to start an IT business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your IT business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of IT business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an IT business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of IT businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the IT industry.
• Discuss the type of IT business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of IT business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of IT businesses:

• Computer repair: This type of IT business provides computer maintenance and repair services.
• Computer training: This type of IT professional specializes in teaching others how to use computers as well as various software and computer programs.
• IT support: This type of IT professional provides services for businesses such as setting up a network, backing up data, and systems management.
• Cloud computing: This type of IT specialist helps individuals and businesses establish cloud platforms and tools, or may help to migrate their information to the cloud.

In addition to explaining the type of IT business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of new clients served, the number of repeat clients, reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the IT industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the IT industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your IT business plan:

• How big is the IT industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your IT business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your IT business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of IT business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other IT businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of IT consultants, in-house IT support, or do-it-yourself IT tutorials. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of IT business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for clients to acquire your product or service?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For an IT business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of IT company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide cloud computing, data center management, or network setup services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your IT company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your IT business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your IT marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your IT business, including answering calls, meeting with new clients, billing and collecting payments from clients, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your IT business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your IT business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing IT businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing an IT business or successfully running a small IT consulting service.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you charge your clients an hourly rate of $250 per hour, and will you work 5 hours per day? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your IT business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing an IT business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of your IT credentials.

Writing a business plan for your IT business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert on IT business planning. You will understand the IT industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful IT business.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your IT business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan services can give you a winning business plan.  

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

An Introduction to Computer Networks - Second Edition

(6 reviews)

Peter Lars Dordal, Loyola University of Chicago

Copyright Year: 2014

Last Update: 2020

Publisher: Peter L Dordal

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Stuart Anderson, Adjunct Instructor, Norfolk State University on 11/13/23

The textbook is complete and thorough. The index correctly points to the material in the chapters. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The textbook is complete and thorough. The index correctly points to the material in the chapters.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The information in the book is accurate as it applies to networking concepts.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The book's content is current.

Clarity rating: 4

The material is clear however, it does make assumptions about the reader's level of current knowledge about the material.

Consistency rating: 5

The material is consistent and flows in a good order.

Modularity rating: 4

The is very good in how the information is broken down into specific modules. Some modules need more information to make them more complete.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The information is organized in a fashion that allows future topics to build on the previous topics.

Interface rating: 5

There were no interface issues.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There are no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The test is inclusive of all cultures.

This is a good textbook for networking information. Some of the material could be explained in more detail to make it more of an introductory topic. A reader with networking experience would find this book a good reference, however, a reader new to the networks might find some of the material a bit light. As a network engineer, I found the information thorough and would work well with other networking material.

Reviewed by Terri Devlin, Instructor, Aims Community College on 7/23/19

Even though the title of the text is "An Introduction to Networking", the author seems to assume that the student or reader knows a lot about the subject matter and terminology. Topics and some definitions are presented, however the author does a... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

Even though the title of the text is "An Introduction to Networking", the author seems to assume that the student or reader knows a lot about the subject matter and terminology. Topics and some definitions are presented, however the author does a deep dive into the topic area quickly. This text would not be beneficial to students seeking CompTia Network + Certification because many of the terms and concepts tested in the certification exam are not covered in this text.

The author presents the material in an unbiased manner. Errors were not identified

Relevance/Longevity rating: 2

Out-of-date information was identified. The text is written in a manner that updates could be made in a straightforward manner.

Clarity rating: 2

The text was difficult to read because precise definitions and content were not provided. Other textbooks and internet sources were used to look up definitions and refresh understanding of technical terms and concepts

Consistency rating: 4

The terminology, framework, and chapter exercises followed a consistent approach.

The layout of the book is easy to understand and follow.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

The topics were organized in a logical fashion. It was a challenge to determine the network “big picture” and how the components fit into the picture. The topics make sense to people familiar with Networks. This text would be challenging to people new to Computer Network concepts.

Interface rating: 3

The text is free of navigation problems. The figures and tables were easily identified. An improvement could be made with providing better images or pictures.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

The text was free of grammatical errors.

The text is appropriate for globally-based students.

Many computer concept textbooks have associated software that helps student learn topics and practice. Computer Networks is an area where practice helps students learn. This text did not have associated software available.

Reviewed by Audrey Styer, Instructor, CIS/CPS, Morton College on 12/21/18

This textbook provides a very comprehensive and in-depth introduction to computer networking. read more

This textbook provides a very comprehensive and in-depth introduction to computer networking.

All information presented is accurate.

This textbook is continually being updated to accommodate the ever-changing nature of computer networking.

Clarity rating: 5

Material is presented in a clear manner, but does require a prior basic understanding of computer networking.

Consistency of presentation and methodology is maintained throughout the text.

Modularity rating: 5

The chapters are well defined by topic

The material is presented in a logical manner that helps learners develop their understanding.

The PDF version is easy to read and navigate. The linked Table of Contents and Index make finding and moving to specific topics simple.

I found no grammatical errors.

This is not applicable to this topic.

The callout boxes provide a visual break for readers and increase learning with interesting facts and supporting information. Unfortunately, this textbook is too advanced for my undergraduate learners and does not map to CompTIA’s Network+ certification.

Reviewed by Sunho Lim, Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University on 3/27/18

The text covers all five layers (phy, link, net, trans, and app) and their associated algorithms and communication protocols in the network, and provides an effective index and/or golssary. read more

The text covers all five layers (phy, link, net, trans, and app) and their associated algorithms and communication protocols in the network, and provides an effective index and/or golssary.

The content is accurate and unbiased.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

The most content is up-to-date and the text is written in a way to easily be updated. Since network technology is time-sensitive, some sections in the text should be updated.

The text is easy to read but some advanced sections (e.g., network simulator ns-2 and ns-3) would be challenging to read and understand technical terminology used.

The text is consistent in using terminology and framework.

The text is well divided into a set of sections. It is easy to selectively choose a section depending on the level of class or students.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The topics in the text are presented in a bottom-up way, but grouping sections in terms of layer would be great.

The text has an interface issue, such as some contents are displayed out of page or cut off.

The text contains no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 1

The text is not related to any culture.

The text is appropriate to both undergraduate to graduate students. A set of selective chapters can be used depending on the instructor. The text is good to use for a reference book.

Reviewed by Lisa Bain, Professor, Rhode Island College on 2/1/18

The book covers all the major topics required for a computer networking course. read more

The book covers all the major topics required for a computer networking course.

Yes, this book is accurate in the major areas that the reviewer read. The entire text was not reviewed.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

Yes, the book is up-to-date with the major concepts that do not change (e.g. TCP, IP, UDP) and also includes the latest standards for Wi-Fi. However, some networking technologies will need to be updated as advancements are made (e.g. newer Wi-Fi standards).

Yes, the text is clearly written. However, the content is very technical and would be challenging for a non-technical person to understand all aspects. It is very straight-forward and appropriate for a technical audience.

Yes, the book is consistent and uses the same technical terminology throughout.

Yes the book is very modular and provides many small sections within each chapter for specific topics.

The flow of the book is similar to other networking books in that is starts with an introduction then provides additional details in following chapters.

The interface in PDF is easy to navigate using the table of contents and embedded links.

Of the information read, no grammar errors were found.

This is not relative to this book.

This book would be appropriate for an instructor with a strong background in teaching networking and using a more technical approach.

Reviewed by Luke Osterritter, Adjunct Instructor, Penn State New Kensington on 2/1/18

This text does a great job of covering the basics of computer networks while also presenting in-depth information, as well as diving into some somewhat tangential, but important, areas (e.g. security). read more

This text does a great job of covering the basics of computer networks while also presenting in-depth information, as well as diving into some somewhat tangential, but important, areas (e.g. security).

There are some terms here that I have seen presented differently than I have learned them or encountered in industry, but nothing inaccurate.

It would seem that this book is kept rather up-to-date, though much of the content is so fundamental as to not have too much of an expiration date, even in this field.

I believe the text is clear in most cases. However, I do feel many of the topics become very in-depth, very fast. It would be nice to have some concepts factored out to their basics early in the chapters, then expounded upon later.

The text does not appear to have any major inconsistencies.

When viewing online, the table of contents makes the content very browsable. However, when viewing in PDF, the large amount of subheadings for any one chapter can be a bit tough to navigate.

As the author notes, there isn't much agreement in how to present this topic, and it can be very difficult to explain one portion without referencing another topic that may not have been presented. I think factoring out some basics and explaining them up front, as this book has done, is a clever way of handling this.

I did not encounter any issues with the text interface.

I did not see any obvious grammatical errors.

This book is very matter-of-fact, with little in the way of irreverence. Likewise, there isn't much to work with here to be proactively inclusive. I think it works to be somewhat inert in this manner.

Overall, I think that this book is a great resource to have given its open availability. It's not the simplest book, so using this in a first level class or in a more general IT, CS, or survey course will take some shepherding on the part of the instructor. The comprehensiveness does suggest to me that this might be able to fill two courses worth of content, as well. It would be nice to have some of the information factored out, with some of the highlights available as lecture materials. On its own though, I feel this would be a strong resource to use in a computer networking course.

Table of Contents

• 1 An Overview of Networks
• 3 Other LANs
• 6 Abstract Sliding Windows
• 7 IP version 4
• 8 IP version 6
• 9 Routing-Update Algorithms
• 10 Large-Scale IP Routing
• 11 UDP Transport
• 12 TCP Transport
• 13 TCP Reno and Congestion Management
• 14 Dynamics of TCP Reno
• 15 Newer TCP Implementations
• 16 Network Simulations: ns-2
• 17 The ns-3 Network Simulator
• 19 Queuing and Scheduling
• 20 Quality of Service
• 21 Network Management and SNMP
• 22 Security
• 23 Bibliography
• 24 Selected Solutions

Ancillary Material

• Peter L Dordal

About the Book

An Introduction to Computer Networks is a free and open general-purpose computer-networking textbook, complete with diagrams and exercises.It covers the LAN, internetworking and transport layers, focusing primarily on TCP/IP. Particular attention is paid to congestion; other special topics include queuing, real-time traffic, network management, security and the ns simulator.

The book is suitable as the primary text for an undergraduate or introductory graduate course in computer networking, as a supplemental text for a wide variety of network-related courses, and as a reference work.

About the Contributors

Peter Lars Dordal is an associate professor within the Department of Computer Science at Loyola University of Chicago. His research interests are in programming languages and computer networks.

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