Can You Really Run an Online Business for Less Than $100?
- Nov 14, 2017
- 8 min read
When running an online business, organization is the name of the game. There are many tools out there to help you on your journey. In fact, the plethora of resources can inundate you. I want to share how new and rising female entrepreneurs can operate a fully functional and automated business for under $200 and even under $100. Yes, under $100. You don't have to allow finances to hinder you from starting and running a highly successful and profitable business.
I have some important ‘need-to-knows’ to I want to put there first.
The reliable tools that I am sharing with you are excellent resources to get started. As your business grows in volume of clients, generates higher income, as you begin to hire contractors, you will most likely upgrade to higher versions or to new systems that can handle your expanding capacity. If you have not established your systems in your business, I want to encourage you to keep your focus on where you are now and where you are going in your business. Many of these resources offer a free version, paid version, or possibly a trial period. Consider where you may start now and upgrade later. Free isn't always best.
Disclosure:
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, where I earn a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you choose to make a purchase.
Because business owners run their business differently, there is no magical cost to run your business. For example, you may opt to use individual systems versus a comprehensive system that incorporates features of other systems. You may or may not incorporate a blog or an online store in your business. What works for me won’t necessarily work for you, still I hope to give you some direction and inspiration on getting your business in motion. It simply depends on what you want to accomplish through your unique enterprise.
These tools are from reputable companies, and I have personally experienced how effective they are. At the same time, do your research and determine what will help you help you achieve the best results.
Another consideration is your investment in your own business growth, personal support, and accountability. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a compass for a sense of direction in your exploration of new territories. What do I mean? Budgeting for a coach and/or mentor is priceless. If you have been struggling to get your business off the ground, find a coach and/or mentor to get the guidance and support that you need. Not only will you get the guidance, support, and accountability that you need for your own development, your business should experience accelerated growth that surpasses your investment.
Website Options:
Wix - (Free Version) You can customize your website with Wix' free website builder, no coding skills needed. I especially love the templates that they offer. Upgrade to a plan $14-$30 month. I personally started with the $14 premium plan to incorporate my own branding and site without the branding from the free version.
Squarespace - ($26) This may be a very affordable and comprehensive option for you, especially as a new online entrepreneur. While I have not personally used this option, clients have raved about affordable this platform is for them.
* There are many free version websites available. Consider the various features and functionality to determine which is a better option for you.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM):
Convertkit - ($29) I love this one! This is more than email marketing. It allows automation, tagging, and segmenting your email list. It also comes with landing pages and even has separate forms for you to gather emails through your website and more. One of the best features for me is getting detailed reports of how my emails perform. It is growing with my business.
* There are free version of email marketing platforms, however, they do not necessarily include the landing pages or forms. Consider the various features and functionality to determine which is a better option for you.
Scheduling System:
Acuity Scheduling - Acuity Scheduling is your online assistant,working 24/7 to fill your schedule. (Free Version) You can also upgrade to The Emerging Entrepreneur plan ($10). This helps to keep your systems automated smoothly, without you having to send individual emails back and forth to schedule sessions or meetings with clients. Calendly is another scheduling system with a free version and upgraded version ($10)
Invoicing:
PayPal for Business - (Free Version) Allows you to accept payment by electronically, in person, or via text or phone. It is very convenient for most buyers. Transaction fees apply. Currently, mobile & in-store payments 2.7% per US swipe 3.5% + $0.15 for keyed sales and online payments & invoicing 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction within the US. (See their site for current details.)
Stripe - (Free Version) Accepts most major forms of payment and international currencies. Transaction fees apply. Currently, 2.9% + 30¢ (See their site for current details.)
Contracts:
HelloSign - is a is free eSignature platform that I used to initially get contracts signed by clients. Send and receive electronic signatures securely with the end-user solution or their eSignature API. You can always upgrade to more comprehensive packages as your business grows.
Graphic Design - Content Creation:
Canva (Free Version) Without any hesitation, Canva is my favorite way to create content. I use it for everything, including blogs, PDFs, coaching programs, social media posts, and for my website.
Canva for Work - ($12.95) I started with the free version but quickly moved to Canva for Work when I learned how I could customize my work, using my signature branding (i.e. logo, fonts, and colors) I love Canva.
Unsplash - (Free) Unsplash is a library of high-resolution photos brought to you by the world’s most generous community of photographers. They are categorized by topic so you can easily search for the type of graphic you want to use. There are sock photos incorporated in the library that add a nice touch to your material. Photos are very easy to upload.
Pixaby - (Free) Pixaby is a another free source of very attractive photos. I use these less frequently than I do Canva and Unsplash, however, l love having the wide variety of options.
Web Conferencing:
Zoom - ($14.95) Zoom allows web conferencing for meetings and for trainings. There is a free version, however, I opted for the paid version because I wanted enhanced functionality for my webinars and group trainings. I am able to record sessions and share them with individuals or upload to video hosts like Youtube and Vimeo to share with open access.
Online Marketplace:
Samcart - ($19) web-based shopping cart software built for business owners who are looking for a powerfully simple way to sell more of products online. You can accept payment and customize receipts for your customers. It allows you to accept PayPal and Stripe for payment. It allows you to integrate email marketing and membership information. It also integrates with Zapier so you can automate you systems and stay informed when a sale has been processed.
Survey:
Typeform - (Free Version) Create forms, surveys, questionnaires, quizzes as lead generators. You also have access to analytics to see how they perform.
So let's do a quick rundown:
Website - $14.00
CRM - $29.00
Scheduling - $10.00
Invoicing - $0.00
Contracts - $0.00
Graphic Designs - $12.95
Web Conferening - $14.95
Online Marketplace - $19.00
Surveys - $0.00
Total $99.90
As you can see, there are many options to consider when building your business, and YES, you can do it for under $100. Now that's an awesome way to operate a business, even if you happen to be working on a shoestring budget. All of this is without the use of a virtual assistant! If you are able to double your monthly budget, there are many other options that you can use to run your business even more efficiently. I show my clients how to scale their business as it grows.
Working on a smaller budget allows you to make room for your own development as a service provider. It's great to be able to run to run a business on a very tight budget, however, it's even more wonderful when you have the guidance and support to grow your business into 4 and 5 figures or more each month. That's how I was able to go from doing it alone earning $200 a month (inconsistently) to hiring a mentor and hitting my first $4000 month with my first launch.
There are many other resources that I personally use in my online business to keep it automated seamlessly. I share these with my clients as they build and grow their online businesses.
As a Business Mentor, I offer several options to help you fast-track your way to consistently earning $5000 and more each month.
ACCELERATE is different from a regular 1:1 program because it consists of 1 super-focused session, geared toward one specific area, and it is offered at a much lower price point.
All of these make it possible for you to experience quicker results in a shorter period of time. It comes with one 90-minute intensive and 30 days of support directly from me.
Vision of Success Business Coaching (2-Month Option) is a customized, one-on-one business-building/launching program created:
For the emerging entrepreneur with an existing online business who is ready to revitalize her business from low earnings to generating $5K-$10K (or more) each month.
Vision of Success Business Coaching (4-Month Option) is a customized, one-on-one business-building/launching program created:
For the new, aspiring female entrepreneur who is ready to take her business idea from vision to a profitable, life-sustaining business.
In all things, my desire is to help women achieve balance and freedom through successful online businesses. As the balance-keeper, I know that when we as women are at our best, we are able to effectively impact all that is connected to us (i.e. our family, our friends, our community, our interests). It's what we do.
If you’re ready to say, “Yes, I am ready to build and grow my purposeful business” and you’re ready to make that step, here’s what I want you to do:
Click HERE. You will find my online scheduling assistant.
Choose a convenient time that works well for you. If none are available, just let me know. I can check to see if I can meet you at a more suitable time for you. (See how flexible I am.)
Next you will be taken to a brief questionnaire. (I keep it very painless. You have my word.)
I will send you all of the details for our appointment. (Save the details so you can have them handy.)
You know you were meant to do more, be more, experience more.
Why delay pursuing your dreams?
Your Time Is Now.
Ready? Let's Grow!
Ché Myers is a Coach for Women and Business Mentor empowering women to maintain balance in their lives by helping them remove overwhelm and by strategically positioning them to create and grow online businesses that allow them freedom to fully experience life and abundance. Her passion is helping women remove overwhelm, find her voice, and help them step out of ordinary into her authentic, confident self. She wants women to know that you CAN still have the beautiful, purpose-filled business that you envisioned, while living an abundant life infused with passion, purpose and freedom. You simply need momentum, support, and strategy!
Are you Ready for #MyNewDay in your own life and business? Schedule A Personal Strategy Session | Follow me on Facebook | Work with Ché 1:1 | Join My New Day
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