A company’s first year of business is an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming: During this period, entrepreneurs need to secure financing and establish themselves in their chosen market, among countless other tasks. The good news is that the following tips can make success easier to find.

A Plan Is Key

Virtually any company is destined to fail without a strong business plan—that is, a document that essentially outlines the company’s goals and vision. A good one, though, will provide guidance “through each stage of starting and managing” a company, per the Small Business Administration’s guide on the subject. If you want to learn how to write a business plan, that guide is a good place to start.

Track Progress

Every business, no matter how young, needs to track its progress. It’s essential to set up a way to track and analyze your company’s metrics so that you can see whether or not you are hitting your goals. It can be tempting to dive in without setting up that infrastructure, but missing goals early on without realizing it can doom your fledgling venture.

Focus on Customer Service

Attracting customers is difficult, and keeping them can be just as hard. For any new company to make it through its first year, customer service needs to be a top priority. Consider implementing loyalty programs or discounts to reward customers. Additionally, make sure your customer service staff is well trained and equipped. The upside to taking steps like these is that satisfied customers will tell their friends and families about the exciting new company they’ve found, potentially growing your customer base in the process.

Continually Reinvest

As pointed out by Forbes contributor Nellie Akalp, it’s critical to continually reinvest money into your new venture. Along with customer service, focus especially on putting money toward your product or service and your marketing efforts.

Want more tips for entrepreneurial success? Just peruse Painted Horse Financial’s new blog posts.