Nicely done, you are starting a business! Welcome to independence! Here’s to being your own person and having things your way. Here’s to not settling and to long nights …Cheers!
Here is a comprehensive list of what you need to get a business started” desc=”Every business is different so the prices on this list may not be totally accurate with every business, however, this list gives a fair assessment to what every business needs to start as far as materials go. It has been compiled of everything from materials to marketing tools. These are items that all businesses are in possession of today and what you should look forward to obtaining.
Some of these items are at listed of retail cost and you may even find better ways to getting them used or at cost. If you already have some of these items, then you’re closer to starting a business than you think.
Things like transportation, office location, inurance, products and/or services that you may use to sell, a business plan, lawyer and attorney fees, etc. and time have not been accounted for. Please consider that these are only comparable prices, but please research your county, state and federal laws. Starting a business is exciting and does cost money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find any of these things used, which is the best route to go, especially if you are totally low on cash. The most costly thing on this list is time. If you have no patience and consideration to build a business and to build a good reputation for yourself, a want to have a business may outweigh your need to. Like a garden, a business must be nurtured to grow healthy. May you enjoy the freedom of your small business and prosper in the fruits of your labor.
- Business license price=”$50″ Basic. I am using this as my example, but if you can afford it up front, an LLC (Limited Liability Company) which will cost around $300 is your best option
- Business bank account price=”$50″ Check your bank and look around, but mine was free
- Mobile phone price=”$150″ The options vary and you may even get one for free if you like to look for bargained specials, but you will definitely want a smart-phone like an iPhone 4 or Evo4G. Smart-phones help you stay organized and you can get them with any major carrier
- Phone plan price=”$90″ I based this off Verizon’s unlimited talk and text and 2G’s of internet. All carriers are different, as so will prices be. Prepaid will not be an option here, no matter how much money you want to save. You need to start talking a lot and fast. You will be on the go all the time so a land line is not necessarily the pick of choice
- Computer - includes hard drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse, usb ports price=”$800″ This is based off a fairly new computer you can purchase from Walmart, Cosco, etc.. Do you really want to buy a computer like a mattress or underwear … bugs, viruses? Used computers may be good for those who again want to squeeze money and that’s ok, but you can inherit problems if any. One thing to mention is that there are some really good hackers out there that know how to install programs on computers to steal information. Buying a used computer can render your information hostage. Don’t rush this one.
- Internet price=”$30″ I use Comcast with 1.5G speed. Here’s where to save money. Don’t listen to your friends and get the fastest out there. 1.5G speed is fast enough to make plenty of money. When you are growing to 5,10, 50+ employees, then you can rethink your strategy. If you have an Android device and are on Sprint, you can download PDA Net for only $15 (one time fee) and learn to tether your phone to your computer which will give you internet for free. Sprint has an unlimited data plan along with unlimited text and 300 minutes of talk for just $70 a month. That’s over $300 you can save a year.
- Computer programs price=”$300+” Depending on your system, you’ll need a productivity suite. For instance, Microsoft utilizes Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. Don’t forget you’ll need an accounting program
- Printing system price=”$150″ You can get an all in one printer/copier/scanner/fax/ for a fair price. Go used and save money. If you are lucky to find an out of the box deal you can save even more money
- Materials” price=”$50″ Printing paper, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, stapler, staples, clipboards, hammer, nails, etc.
- WEBSITE price=”$Call us for estimate” There is no way around this, so beating around the bush would be unfair. If you don’t have a website, then you are being missed. Having a website is essential to growth and without growth we die.
- MOBILE SITE price=”$Call us for estimate” People are looking for businesses online everyday. Mobiles are being used more than desktops and tablets and the numbers are dramatically rising for people looking for businesses on mobiles. You need a Mobile Site as much as you need a main website.
- Domain name & Hosting price=”$119.95″ This refers to your main website and as yearly. Hosting companies charge differently than others, but we prefer Bluehost. They are highly recommended by WordPress and #1 by us. The Domain Name which is what you type in the address bar is basically like the address to your home and the Hosting is merely your home. You need them from the same company and to refrain from different companies. There are some companies that we do not recommend as much as we do recommend. Please contact us with any questions regarding this matter.
- Paypal price=”$” This is the best merchant service period. The only time they charge you is when you make a purchase and it’s usually small. You are limited up to $500 per month for transactions unless you lift the limit which is fairly easy and customers can just use your email to send you money. You have many fine choices which include transactions by desktop, typing in credit card and debit card numbers on a mobile, taking a picture of the check, and even bumping phones. Bumping phones works on a Bluetooth technology where when both smartphones are running Paypal, with a bump of 2 phones a transaction is made. Yes, it’s pretty slick.
- Facebook fan page for business price=”Free” Facebook is an absolute amazing tool. With over 600 million users a month, why wouldn’t you be on Facebook and why stop with just being on Facebook. You need a business fan page. Our clients that are using Facebook and that have a fan page are networking and doing very well for themselves. It’s a must. Everything on this page has been included to not show what you may need, but what you must need to have. Facebook is no exception. It is the go to place for businesses that want to make the necessary connections to survive and it’s free.
- Twitter page price=”Free” What is a tweet, what is a Twit pic, what is Twitter? Twitter is enormous in marketing and for anyone using it, can give a huge uplift in their authority and cash flow. People are looking on Twitter everyday to hear what you have to say. For example: A woman saw her creme brulee business increase ten fold because of Twitter. She accomplished this by sending out Twitter messages called Tweets to her followers to let them know where she would be. Her followers re-tweeted her messages and she got new customers. Using Twitter can bring you fantastic luck the same.
- YouTube channel price=”Free” Owned by the infamous Google, YouTube is the #1 place to market yourself with self-hosted videos. Not much to be said about YouTube, only that if you aren’t using video to your advantage to market your products and/or services, you’ve missed the bus.
- LinkedIn business page price=”Free” You must get on LinkedIn..period. It’s geared towards small businesses for you to connect and network. LinkedIn has tons of success stories and is the official go to place for employers and employees. If Facebook wasn’t social, LinkedIn would have it’s crown.
- Custom newsletter price=”$20+” What is spam? Spam is something you don’t want and having a custom newsletter solves that. A custom newsletter is similar to a newspaper, giving out information to your clients and potential customers informing them of goods and services that you are offering. How that differs from an email is by having people to opt-in which gives you permission to send them a newsletter, and in return making money and friends
Estimated total price=”$2,500″ This is just an estimated total and probably won’t exceed it, especially if you are good at finding great ways to save money. A few more words of wisdom. A small business can be intimidating and frustrating if you let it. If you don’t have a substantial cash flow and leave your job, you may never again want to start a business. Starting a business is exciting and can stay the same if you learn how to budget and think a little on your feet. Work for the man until you become the man. Businesses usually take up to 3 years to saturate. That makes sense. You have to learn your skill and be great at it. Nurture your garden responsibly and you’ll eat like a king.
