Starting your own business doesn't have to be expensive, despite the common myth. While there will be some costs involved, they are not exorbitant. Nowadays, you can launch a business for less than $100 per month. However, be prepared to invest your time and technical abilities as it won't be a walk in the park. As a business owner, there are four essential systems that you will need to establish your online presence.
Website/Sales Platform
If you're looking for a reliable platform to sell your products, Wix or Squarespace are both great options. These platforms come at a monthly cost of approximately $30. On the other hand, Shopify and Woocommerce are also excellent choices. Shopify has a fixed monthly fee of $30, while Woocommerce operates on a pay-as-you-go system. Whether you're a service-based entrepreneur or an e-commerce seller, a reliable platform is crucial.
Social Media Scheduling Platform
If you're looking to schedule your social media posts, there are three free sites that you can consider: Buffer, Hootsuite, and Planoly. While Buffer is the easiest to use, it may not be very visual. On the other hand, Hootsuite offers advanced technology but may be a little harder to understand for non-tech individuals. Personally, I highly recommend Planoly if you're a visual person who loves Instagram. With Planoly, you can map out your Instagram feed and also post to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. This platform is especially useful for service-based or e-commerce businesses.
Email Marketing Platform
If you're looking for an email marketing solution, Mailerlite and Convertkit are two great options to consider. Mailerlite is free until you reach 1000 subscribers and is very user-friendly. On the other hand, Convertkit offers a free option to create and set up landing pages and forms, but the paid version costs $30 a month. While it may be a bit more challenging to use, once set up, it provides an exceptional experience. This platform is particularly useful for service-based and e-commerce businesses.
Client Relationship Management (CRM) Platform
If you're a service-based professional, Dubsado is a must-have platform. It's free until you have three clients, and then it costs $35 a month. While there are many other systems out there, Dubsado is one of the best. The platform allows you to easily send contracts, forms, invoices, and appointment schedulers to your clients, and everything can be fully branded to your business. You can even create a lead capture form and workflows to enhance the client experience. E-commerce businesses may not find this platform as necessary, but it's a great resource for service-based professionals.
Financial Platform
Keeping track of your business finances is crucial, and platforms like Quickbooks or Wave Apps can help you do just that. While Wave Apps is a free and user-friendly option, I would recommend Quickbooks if you can afford it. As a business owner, having a finance platform is a must-have.
With these five systems, you can set up any type of business online without breaking the bank. Depending on your business type, the maximum you would spend per month is around $60. Remember, the effort you put into your business is what you'll get out of it. Looking professional doesn't have to cost a lot, but it does require some time and dedication.
For more information or help please contact The Virtual Note today!
Comentarii