Entrepreneur Day is coming up, which makes it the perfect time to channel your inner entrepreneur if you’ve been on the fence in regard to carving your own employment path. Even if you’re just looking to start up a side hustle, there are many things that can stand in your way. There is no doubt, the path to entrepreneurship isn’t always the easiest and it can come at a price. Luckily, there are many fantastic resources that you can utilize that are free to low cost. This will help you cut a few corners, so you can spend your hard-earned money where it counts. With these helpful options, you may even be able to propel your business faster than you may have ever guessed.
1. Squarespace
In this day and age, if you don’t have a website for your business then there is a good chance that you won’t be able to secure clients or get your product out there. Sure, social media can help you out slightly, but most people won’t purchase from someone without a website. You can spend a fortune to have a website built for you, but if you’re on a budget and willing to put in some work then there are many great options to choose from. One of the most budget-friendly options available is Squarespace. This website is incredibly user-friendly and is great for helping you find designs that suit your branding needs and personality. You can even set up a mailing list, using the site builder. The service is incredibly affordable too.
2. Trello
Keeping track of all of your day-to-day tasks can be impossible. It gets even worse when you bring a team on board to help you get where you need to be. Instead of spending time trying to juggle it all, you might consider setting up a system like Trello. This will allow you to delegate tasks without having to second guess yourself or continue to check in with each team member. On top of that, it will help you review items when needed so you’ll be well on your way to success without wasting all of your time. You can get a Trello account for free, but you may find that as your business grows you might need to upgrade. Make sure to take it one step at a time until you can get your business where it needs to be.
3. Docracy
Most people aren’t lawyers, and if you’re budgeting for your entrepreneurial endeavors, then there’s a good chance you can’t afford a lawyer to show you everything you need to know. Luckily, websites like Docracy exist. This site will allow you to browse through legal documents quickly and efficiently so you can actually work towards getting everything in order. You’ll find information on contracts for clients and employees. You’ll also find information on starting an LLC and everything else you’ll need to know to find success as you work. The website is easy to understand too, so you won’t feel bombarded by everything.
4. B Plans
A lot of entrepreneurs jump into the deep end of having a business without stopping to plan. However, when you start a business, you should get started on a business plan before you do anything else. Getting a business plan together isn’t exactly simple though, especially if you’ve never done it before. That is why B Plans is a great place to begin your journey. You can find samples of business plans that will allow you to choose which one will work best for your needs. Of course, these are incredibly easy to alter as well, so you can find confidence in your personalized business plan. As you begin to grow, you can even look into business plans that work for larger organizations, which will help you save money and know exactly where your business is headed.
5. Google Suite
Most businesses need digital tools to keep track of everything that is going on. Google Suite is one of the best options for this, especially since it is totally free. The only thing you’ll ever have to pay for on Google is extra storage, but it does take a long time to run out of space if you’re only storing documents and pictures. Google Suite offers Google Documents, which is a great rival to Microsoft Word. It also makes it incredibly easy to share documents and edit them with others. Google Spreadsheet is a great alternative for Excel and also allows you to share and work with others in real-time. Google Meet is perfect for conferences and client meetings, but it can also help you keep your team working together in real-time. Google Drive allows you to store and organize in a simplistic way that will easily bring convenience to you and your team. There is more to Google Suite, so you may consider signing up so you can see for yourself.
6. Udemy
One of the biggest aspects of being an entrepreneur is taking the time to learn new things. The marketplace is always growing, as is your need to keep up to speed with your niche. There are so many courses that can help you become a better entrepreneur, but they often come at a price. Udemy offers many free courses, which can help you on your way. Classes that do come with a price tag, generally won’t set you back too much. So, if you choose to pace yourself with courses, you won’t find yourself in financial trouble. These courses will definitely cost less than a college course, which can be reassuring. You’ll have to browse around to see what offers are available for you, as this will help you feel more confident about the road ahead.
7. Startup Grind
One of the best resources for entrepreneurs is the Startup Grind. This little online community does so much for entrepreneurs getting started and those that are maintaining their businesses. This website does offer courses to help you move along with your endeavors, which is one reason why it is such an incredible resource. However, it also offers a community for you to join, mingle, network, ask questions, and so much more. Without a doubt, you’ll find so much to help you get on the right path when it comes to this community. You can browse the website even before you join, which can help you to feel more comfortable before you invest in a membership.
8. Fiver
Although so many entrepreneurs wear many different hats, no person can do it all. That’s where Fiver comes into play. You can find freelancers that will help you embrace the work you need for five dollars. Of course, there are many freelancers that charge more, so you might not walk away with a five-dollar steal, but it will still be a value to you. These freelancers are often just starting out and may need reviews to help them get their feet off the ground, so make sure you offer this when you do pay such a low price for the service you desire. Services that you can find on Fiver include logo design, social media graphics, copywriting, website assistance, and much more.
9. Shopify
For those that are offering tangible products to customers, you may find Shopify to be a great option for you. There are lots of great market websites available to choose from, but Shopify tends to be one of the best user-friendly options around. You will also find that Shopify doesn’t have as strict terms of service as many of the other services do. Shopify accepts a wide assortment of payment options as well, which allows you to choose the payment option that is right for you. Apart from that, you can connect Shopify directly to your website or social media page, so it makes it insanely easy for people to shop with you.
10. Social Media
Love it or hate it, social media is one of the best tools that you have when it comes to getting your business out there. Most social media platforms are free to use, so if you sign up for as many as you choose, you’re already ahead when it comes to getting your name out there. From there, you might consider moving on to creating branded posts that allow others to learn about your services or products. This is an easy way to engage with your customer base as well, which can help you to feel more confident about the services that you offer.
Being an entrepreneur is no easy feat. These ten resources can help transform the way you begin your journey and advance, which can help you reach the success you desire. Best of all, the resources will fit into your budget, so you don’t have to stress over it as you begin to make money.
