20 FREE Tools to Starting a Small Business
- You need a brand - Twitter is free
- You need graphic design - Canva is free
- You need a website - WordPress.org is free
- You need email marketing - Beehiiv is free
- You need content writer - Chat GPT is free
- You need customer support - Freshdesk is free
- You need a store - Gumroad is free
- You need invoicing - Wave is free
- You need project management - Trello is free
- You need automation - Zapier is free
- You need accounting - GnuCash is free
- You need a CRM - HubSpot CRM is free
- You need time tracking - Toggl is free
- You need file storage - Google Drive is free
- You need a workspace - Notion is free
- You need surveys - Google Forms is free
- You need a logo - Logo Maker is free
- You need a blog platform - Medium is free
- You need visualization - Google Charts is free
- You need analytics - Google Analytics is free
Start a Business Checklist:
Idea
- Choose a Name
- Brainstorm
- Identify Your Target Audience
- Create a Vision Board
- Validate Your Ideas
Marketing
- Buy a Domain Name
- Set Up Free Website
- Claim Your Social Media Handles
- Professional Email Account
- Business Cards
Planning
- Choose a Business Plan Template
- Estimate Initial Startup Costs
- Research Competitors & Pricing Models
- Establish a Milestone Tracker
- Vision and Mission Statement
Branding
- Brand Colors & Logo
- Tagline
- Ideal Persona
- Brand Story
- Packaging Design Layout
Biz Basics
- Choose Your Legal Structure
- Register Business
- Open a Business Bank Account
- Get Your Licenses/Permits
- Obtain EIN Number and DUNS
- Choose a Bookkeeping System
- Online Payment (Stripe, PayPal)
Products & Services
- Determine Your First Collection
- Identify Wholesalers, Suppliers
- Estimate Initial COGS / Inventory
- Create a Price List
- Overview Customer Experience
- Decide Where & How You Will Sell
