100 SOPs Every Business Can Use
If you’re doing the same task over and over again — or explaining the same process to your team every month — it’s time for an SOP.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) help you document exactly how something is done in your business. When you create an SOP, you’re not just systemizing a task… you’re buying back your time, reducing errors, and empowering your team to take things off your plate.
In this post, I’ve pulled together 100 essential SOPs every business owner should have, grouped by category. From marketing to finance to HR — if it’s part of your business, it can (and should) be systemized.
Ready to create your own? Download my free SOP Template to get started now.
Operations SOPs
Client Onboarding Process – Step-by-step process for welcoming and setting up new clients.
Client Offboarding Process – How to properly close projects and maintain a professional relationship.
Daily Operations Checklist – A daily rundown of essential tasks to ensure smooth business operations.
Weekly Operations Review – Process for reviewing weekly performance and addressing any issues.
Monthly Operations Report – A monthly breakdown of operational activities, results, and areas for improvement.
Meeting Agenda Template – How to structure productive team meetings.
Scheduling Team Meetings – Process for setting up regular team meetings.
Project Management Workflow – Steps for managing projects from start to finish.
Crisis Management Plan – What to do in the event of an emergency or unexpected problem.
Document Management – How to organize, store, and share important documents.
Marketing SOPs
Content Creation Process – Steps for creating consistent, on-brand content.
Blog Post Publishing – How to publish and promote blog posts effectively.
Email Marketing Setup – Process for setting up and sending email campaigns.
Social Media Management – Steps for managing social media accounts and scheduling posts.
Social Media Engagement – Process for responding to comments and engaging with followers.
Paid Advertising Setup – How to set up and run paid advertising campaigns.
Lead Magnet Creation – Steps to create valuable freebies that attract leads.
SEO Strategy Implementation – How to optimize your content for search engines.
Podcast Management – Process for producing and publishing podcasts.
Influencer Marketing Collaboration – How to work with influencers to promote your brand.
Sales SOPs
Sales Call Script – A detailed script to follow during sales calls.
Lead Qualification Process – How to identify and prioritize high-quality leads.
Sales Pipeline Management – Steps for tracking leads through the sales funnel.
Cold Outreach Email Sequence – Templates and steps for cold emailing potential clients.
Proposal Writing and Delivery – How to create and send winning proposals.
Contract Signing Process – Steps for preparing and managing contract signings.
Follow-up Email Sequence – Steps to follow up with prospects after initial contact.
Upsell and Cross-sell Strategies – How to offer additional services or products to current clients.
Product Demo Process – Steps for delivering effective product demos.
Sales Reporting and Metrics – How to track and report on sales performance.
Finance SOPs
Invoicing Clients – How to create, send, and manage invoices.
Payment Collection Process – Steps to collect payments from clients.
Expense Tracking – How to track business expenses.
Budget Creation – Steps for creating and managing a business budget.
Monthly Financial Reports – How to compile and analyze monthly financial data.
Accounts Payable Process – How to manage bills and payments.
Payroll Management – Steps for processing payroll for employees and contractors.
Tax Filing Process – Steps to file taxes on time and accurately.
Financial Audit Preparation – How to prepare for a financial audit.
Cash Flow Management – How to track and manage your business’s cash flow.
Customer Service SOPs
Customer Inquiry Response – How to respond to customer inquiries promptly and professionally.
Customer Complaint Resolution – Steps to handle and resolve customer complaints.
Refund and Return Policy – How to process refunds and manage product returns.
Customer Satisfaction Surveys – Steps to gather feedback from customers.
Live Chat Support Guidelines – How to manage live chat customer support.
Email Support Process – Steps to manage customer support emails.
Phone Support Process – How to handle phone calls from customers.
Follow-up After Purchase – How to follow up with customers after they make a purchase.
Client Satisfaction Review – Process for regularly checking in with clients to gauge satisfaction.
Handling Negative Reviews – How to respond to and manage negative customer reviews.
Pro Tip: Don’t get stuck in perfectionism. Your SOPs don’t have to be fancy — they just have to be repeatable. Start with the tasks you repeat the most, and build from there.
Human Resources SOPs
Hiring Process – Steps for posting job listings, interviewing candidates, and making offers.
Onboarding New Employees – How to onboard new hires and introduce them to the company.
Employee Offboarding Process – Steps for when an employee leaves the company.
Employee Performance Reviews – How to conduct regular performance reviews.
Vacation and Time-off Requests – How to manage employee time-off requests.
Team Building Activities – Steps for organizing team-building events or activities.
Conflict Resolution – How to handle disputes between team members.
Diversity and Inclusion Policy – Guidelines for fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Employee Training and Development – How to set up ongoing training and development for staff.
Freelancer and Contractor Management – Steps for managing freelance and contract workers.
IT and Security SOPs
Password Management – How to securely store and share passwords.
Software Setup and Installation – Steps for installing and setting up new software.
System Backup Process – How to regularly back up important business data.
Cybersecurity Policy – Guidelines for keeping business data secure.
Data Breach Response – Steps to take in the event of a data breach.
Hardware Troubleshooting – How to troubleshoot common hardware issues.
Software Troubleshooting – Steps to resolve software problems.
New Equipment Setup – How to set up new equipment for the office.
File Sharing Guidelines – How to securely share files within the company.
Remote Work Security – Best practices for ensuring secure remote work.
Product Development SOPs
Product Ideation Process – Steps for brainstorming and validating product ideas.
Product Roadmap Creation – How to create and update a product development roadmap.
Product Testing – How to test products for quality and usability.
Beta Testing Process – How to run a beta test for new products.
Product Launch Plan – Steps to launch new products successfully.
Post-Launch Review – How to assess the success of a product launch.
Product Improvement Process – How to gather feedback and improve existing products.
Quality Assurance Guidelines – Steps for ensuring products meet quality standards.
Supply Chain Management – How to manage your product supply chain.
Inventory Management – Steps for tracking and managing inventory levels.
Legal and Compliance SOPs
Contract Review Process – How to review contracts before signing.
NDA Process – Steps for creating and signing non-disclosure agreements.
Compliance Audit Process – How to ensure the business is compliant with regulations.
Legal Dispute Management – Steps to handle legal disputes or claims.
Intellectual Property Protection – How to protect your business’s intellectual property.
Terms and Conditions Update – Process for updating terms and conditions on your website.
Privacy Policy Update – Steps for maintaining and updating your privacy policy.
GDPR Compliance Guidelines – How to ensure compliance with GDPR regulations.
Trademark Application Process – Steps to apply for and maintain trademarks.
Business License Renewal – How to renew necessary business licenses and permits.
Miscellaneous SOPs
Event Planning Process – Steps to plan and execute successful business events.
Vendor Management – How to manage relationships with key vendors.
Office Setup – How to set up a physical office space.
Remote Team Communication – Best practices for communicating with remote team members.
SOP Creation Process – Steps to create new SOPs for your business.
Performance Metric Tracking – How to track and review key performance indicators.
Business Partnership Management – How to manage and maintain business partnerships.
Client Retention Strategies – Steps to retain and nurture client relationships.
Annual Business Review – How to review your business’s performance at the end of the year.
Exit Strategy Plan – Steps to prepare for selling or transitioning out of your business.
Wrapping it Up
Having a comprehensive set of SOPs in place is essential for running a smooth, efficient, and scalable business. These 100 SOPs cover a wide range of areas, from day-to-day operations to legal compliance, and will ensure that your business is running like a well-oiled machine. Start implementing these SOPs today and watch your business run more smoothly, consistently, and profitably.
Ready to create your own SOPs? Download my free SOP Template to start organizing your business processes now!
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