So you have decided to take the leap and start your online business.
How exciting! ?
We all know how overwhelming it can be to start your online business, and there are a few things that need to happen before you can do it successfully.
Lucky for you, one of the many benefits of getting started is that it has some of the lowest costs out of the gate. You can start your online business basically for free (or almost free!)
Unfortunately, however, we cannot avoid all expenses. Not if we want to do it right!
In this entry, we will talk about the five things you must do before you start your online business, and hopefully, we can remove some of that feeling of overwhelm in the process.
Let’s go!
This is probably a no-brainer and likely purchase #1.
You do not need to buy a brand-spanking-new MacBook Pro by any means, but you should at least invest in something that has enough power to complete the tasks you need and enough storage space to last you a couple of years.
You are also going to need access to high-speed internet. Trust me, this matters. I spent four years of my life trying to build a business with sh*tty internet. ??♀️
Now, this is not impossible. But you WILL find yourself pulling your hair out when you have to deal with large files or slow website performance.
NOT WORTH IT!
It is crucial for your productivity as a business owner to set aside a designated creative space so you can conduct your business efficiently. Preferably somewhere quiet and away from outside distractions.
Now, that does not mean you need to invest a ton of money renovating a huge fancy office space in your home. It can simply be a designated corner of an existing room (like your living room) where you have an organized desk and some storage specifically for your needs.
The big fancy office can come later. ?
If your office IS in a shared space in your home, it also might be a good idea to make sure you have the option of closing a door for further privacy.
You will find yourself on business calls or in virtual meetings with clients from time to time, and you should try to ensure that you have as much privacy as possible.
It is simply more professional and less disruptive for your business operations.
In my previous entry: 5 Simple Steps to Help Find Your Niche, you spent some time finding the specific area of your business where your expertise and passion shines. In which case, you probably have also started thinking about what types of products or services you can offer your future customers.
But say you have yet to solidify your ideas—that’s okay!
In that case, maybe it’s time to do a little bit of brainstorming! It can be challenging to get started, but I find that getting all your ideas onto paper makes it so much easier.
So, get out your trusty pen and notebook, and try asking yourself the following questions:
Brainstorm ideas that you can create content for or unique products that you can sell. And definitely be sure to check out the entry I mentioned above for more brainstorming tips to get you on the right track!
Once you have a promising idea, start researching how to generate an income from it.
Will you be creating niche digital products to sell online? How do you go about that? Will you be offering a niche service for a particular industry? What set of skills do you need?
The more questions you can answer, the better!
This is another important one. You need an online platform to promote your business, and you need a professional domain name so that your customers can locate your website easily.
Tip: Your domain name should be your business name, or in some cases, your product name, depending on your business goals.
If you ONLY plan on selling products online, there are websites like Etsy or Shopify that simplify the process for you.
However, if you plan on offering a specific set of services or want more control over your content, I recommend getting yourself a self-hosted WordPress.org website.
When I first started my freelance business, I purchased my shared hosting plan through Bluehost for only $3.65 per month + a FREE domain name for one year.
That’s pretty cheap if you think of it in the grand scheme of things!
Some other well-known hosting providers are:
My advice for you is to do a little bit of research on each of these hosting providers (and others that are not listed) and find the option that suits your business needs. Hosting packages fluctuate in price depending on several factors, including monthly website traffic, eCommerce features, number of product offerings, etc.
Shop around and see what’s out there and what works best for your needs!
Next, you will need to think about other tools and software you might need to run your business operations.
If you are a graphic designer, you will likely need to invest in some premium design software or tools in your online business at some point. Adobe Creative Suite is the logical choice for designers but tends to be expensive for those of you who are just getting started.
Canva is an excellent alternative to Adobe for basic design needs. Although certainly not as powerful as Adobe, it is a web-based design tool that allows you to create beautiful designs and use custom pre-made templates and stock photography for free (within reason).
It is perfect for beginner designers trying to get their foot in the door who do not have the budget to spend on expensive design programs.
You may need to also think about client management software or a program that will help you with your invoicing and contracts, or even one that will help you with your bookkeeping. These programs will vary between professions, so do your research and determine which ones are right for you.
Luckily there are plenty of free services available out there for you to take advantage of. Be sure to check out my entry Grow Your Freelance Design Business With These 10 Free Tools to learn more about some of your different options!
Starting an online business is a big decision that involves a lot of planning. There is so much more that goes into it than people even realize, and these were just a few of the things you will need to think about before you can hit the ground running.
Just remember—you don’t need to spend a small fortune to get started.
Make sure to do thorough research on your industry and weigh your options on what is most important now versus what can wait until your business starts to gain traction.
I hope this entry helped you and gave you a good idea of what goes into the first steps of launching your online business.
In my next entry, we are going to be talking about some additional FREE resources that will help you grow your online business even further.
Be sure to check out Grow Your Freelance Design Business With These 10 Free Tools!
Cheers Friends! ✨
Have questions? I offer a complimentary 30-minute discovery call to help set you up for success!
But first, connect with me and tell me how I can help!
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