An Ultimate Guide to Starting Business on a Tight Budget

It seems like the time is never right to start a business, with the lack of money being the main reason to postpone turning your dreams into a reality. But, is there a way to take a leap and start building your empire on a shoestring budget? Entrepreneur wants us to believe that it’s not just a pipedream, and shares some insights that will help you succeed even with the money running low. Here’s a brief account of the advice!

Gather the intel

Information is a key to victory, and the better you know the market, the more you are likely to launch a profitable business. Take the time to investigate your closest competitors as well as your target audience. Gaining an informed idea of your contenders and potential customers will help you optimize the business processes, and give you an understanding of how to price your goods and services up.

Cut the expenses

Firstly, try to avoid bloated marketing budgets. Thanks to affordable and precisely targeted ads on social media, there is no need for a full-blown marketing campaign with TV commercials and billboards. Be smart about your spending, and circle back to point 1 to learn new affordable techniques. Secondly, think twice before taking on employees. With platforms like Humans.net out there where you can hire a willing and capable freelancer for virtually any gig, there’s no need for an extensive staff. Finally, find the best deals for your office essentials and supplies. Be sure to look for discounts wherever possible, and by the time you expand your company, you could have already saved thousands.

Venture capital vs bootstrapping

Take your time to consider if your business will benefit from an early cash injection. While a venture capital deal could bring you a healthy amount of money for growth, it would also involve substantial repayment, and possibly giving up a stake in your business. A bootstrapping alternative, though not providing for any fancy marketing plans, helps you retain full ownership of your business. Moreover, you will surely avoid unnecessary spendings and will learn your way around the budget.

Don’t forget about taxes

Understanding your tax obligation is one key to business success. When you start a business, you need to know about income taxes, payroll taxes and much more. If your startup is planning on selling goods or services, then it will likely need to start charging Value Added Tax (VAT). Do the homework, and plan for taxes in advance.

We hope that these tips will help you batten down the hatches and avoid going overboard with your finances. But if you still can’t make ends meet, consider hiring a financial consultant on Humans Network!