AUGUST 27, 2019/ BY JANN CHAMBERS
Developing a business from the ground up can get costly quickly, which is why saving money on business startup costs should be a top priority. Especially if you’re a first-time entrepreneur, it can be easy to underestimate how much money you’ll need to cover everything. But no matter what type of business you’re building, there are always ways to keep your finances running efficiently.
Here are some ways you can save money on your business startup costs:
1. Cut Down on Unnecessary Spending
Maintaining realistic expectations for your finances is key. Plan well in advance so you know exactly how much money you’ll need and for what, before you even launch your business. Allow plenty of time to secure the money you need to cover your business startup costs and cut down on unnecessary spending Consider switching your energy, broadband, or insurance providers to find cheaper rates and switch to cheaper brands when you’re shopping. All of the money you save can go into a savings account, ready for your new business venture.
2. When it Comes Down to Loans, Start off Small
The thought of starting your own business journey probably fills you with excitement. You may feel like you want to jump right in, take out a business loan, and get everything perfect all at once. The problem with this is that no matter how much market research you’ve done, you can’t predict how your business is going to do or how much of a profit it’s going to make, if any, over a specified timeframe. This makes borrowing large amounts of money a risky choice. Instead of jumping in head-first, start off small to minimize your costs and to reduce the need for borrowing. If you get into debt that you can’t afford to pay, you may end up going bankrupt, which will impact your future chances of building a successful business.
You can also consider other means of business financing like crowdfunding. GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and iFundWomen are just a few examples of resources that can help lift your startup off the ground.
3. Nurture Your Business by Reinvesting Funds
Profits shouldn’t always go straight to your pocket. If you believe in yourself and your business, reinvest in yourself to help your business grow. Set aside a percentage of your earnings to put back into your business for further growth down the line. This can have a huge, positive impact. And remember, it’s okay for your business’s development to be gradual, especially if you have limited money to begin with.
4. Consider Outsourcing Services
Consider hiring a freelancer or agency to manage one-off or ongoing projects, rather than hiring someone full-time, or worse, juggling everything on your own. Outsourcing is becoming increasingly popular and is a valuable option for the early stages before you have a full-fledged team working behind you. Outsourcing allows you to pay for what you need, when you need it.
5. Build Your Website
Most modern businesses need a website, even if they have a brick and mortar store. A website will help locals find your business and provide them with easy access to information they need. You can build relationships with your customers by enabling communication features, providing tips and resources related to your industry on your blog, and enabling customer reviews. Plus, you can integrate an e-commerce store so that people can make online purchases.
Building a website doesn’t need to be costly. There are many cheap WordPress hosting packages available to save money on your business. Further down the line, if you need to expand and WordPress no longer meets your needs, you can transfer your hosting.
6. Weigh Your Digital Marketing vs. Traditional Marketing Options
Traditional marketing isn’t dead, but digital marketing tends to be the winner of the two in most cases. Traditional marketing means promoting your business through TV, radio advertisements, billboards, and magazines. The audience is usually very broad, and it can be difficult to target the customers you want and to track the results.
Digital marketing, on the other hand, allows you to hone in on your target audience and advertise directly to them through Facebook advertising, banner ads on partner websites, e-mail marketing campaigns, and more. These methods tend to be considerably cheaper than traditional marketing, and your website will play a huge part in the process.
You should also continuously research and implement best practices in SEO to help your website rank against its competitors, thus increasing your chances of being discovered by people who can benefit from your business.
7. Practice Patience
The main takeaway point to minimizing your business startup costs is to practice patience. Allow time to plan and save, build your business slowly, and take time to shop around to ensure you’re getting the best deals for your money. It’s not a race. It’s a steady process that will take time to perfect and grow.
If you practice patience, weigh your options, and continuously research and learn from experts about the practices you’re implementing, you’ll increase your chances of success and minimize your risk of bankruptcy. When the time comes, you’ll be ready to hire your dream team, upgrade from your living room to a coworking space, and develop new initiatives to bring your business to the next level. Build your business slowly, and have fun doing it. Onwards and upwards!
Jann Chambers is a blog writer with seven years of professional experience. She specializes in topics relating to web hosting, cloud computing, SEO, digital marketing, and WordPress.
