Starting a Business

This page is filled with outstanding resources to help you when starting a business.  These tools have helped launch many successful businesses.  Please take the time to scroll down to see all resources divided by category. If you have found any resources particularly helpful, please add them as a comment below.

When starting a business, you will have a number of decisions to make.  These will include everything from your website’s domain name to how you will incorporate.  Starting a business can be one of the most exciting times in your life.  When you have the inspiration and drive to succeed, starting a business is quite fulfilling.   The following resources should provide you with good options that put you on the right track to success.

We also assume by this point, you have written your business plan as a road map for your business and included a sound marketing plan describing how your product or service will be sold and a financial plan that forecasts the profitability of a business. Those are important steps in opening any business.  Once your plans are set, here are resources that should help you down the right path:

Setting Up Your Business

Entrepreneur Magazine’s Start-up Guides offer practical advice for starting your business.  Click here for a $10 Discount on Entrepreneur’s Start Your Own Business Guides.

MyCorporation is a great site by Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks.  They’ve helped over 100,000 business owners obtain their LLC or incorporation status successfully. MyCorporation also offers trademark searches and applications, copyright registrations and more.  Use the links below to access discounts from MyCorporation:
87% off the cost of incorporating yourself with MyCorportion or
Save $50 on Trademark text and logo search with MyCorporation

Health Insurance

Many starting a business are concerned about health insurance and the high price associated with paying for coverage.  We suggest you work with your insurance professional to find the best plan for you. A great place to look for rates is eHealthInsurance where you can find FREE Instant Quotes!

Branding Your Business

When starting a business, having a professional image is essential, and you still want to be smart about your expenses.

Logo Design

A good logo is essential to properly branding your business.  LogoYes is a great place for a quality logo.  Plus, they allow you the option to create your own logo. Click the link below to try it for free:
Logo Design by LogoYes – Try it for Free!

Printing Business Cards, Letterhead, etc.

Vista Print allows you to print business cards for free! Click the link below to access the site. Plus, if you so choose to make a purchase, you will have access to amazing savings:
Save up to 90% + get FREE Shipping from VistaPrint

Communications

A professional image also comes from the way you communicate.  Below are several ways to maximize your communication while saving cost.

Voice Mail and Phone Call Routing Service

eVoice Receptionist is a leading provider of virtual business phone systems for individuals and small offices. With this service you can utilize a toll free number with automated, customized greetings that route your callers to the appropriate destination and enjoy Fortune 500 sound with a small business price.  Click below to try it for free.
Try your virtual phone system with eVoice Receptionist. Click here for 30 Day Free Trial!

Virtual Faxing Service

MetroFax. Faxing Made Simple! Internet-based fax program allows you to fax without a fax machine at a very reasonable rate and includes 1,000 pages with each month of service.

Finances

Keeping accurate accounting and paying employees in an effective manner are of course essential to business success.

Accounting


QuickBooks provides small business accounting software that makes accounting easy with tools to organize your finances all in one place. Download now and save 10%.

Payroll

Run payroll online in just a few clicks and get your payroll taxes done right.
Intuit Online Payroll – 6-month FREE trial – Plus, lock in 66% monthly savings at $9.95/month starting the 7th month.

Credit Cards

You may be in need of a new credit card.  If so, the links below offer a great comparison on Rewards and Cash Back cards:
Click Here for Rewards Credit Card Comparison and Offers or
Click Here for Cash Back Credit Card Comparison and Offers

Internet

In today’s economy, a quality web presence that works is essential for a business to succeed.  Here are several of the best Internet-related resources to help you create a quality Internet presence that works for you:

Domain Name

So, you think you have found the perfect name for your business.  Take the time to make sure a good domain name is available.  GoDaddy.com is the world’s #1 domain name registrar.  Click the below link for discounts on domain names.
GoDaddy Sale: Click here to reserve your domain name for only $7.49
Or, if you will be hosting a website as well, see below for package deals.

Website Hosting

There are a number of choices to host your website.  We have three favorites.  You can see the criteria on each type below so you can choose the one that best fits your need.  Since many business start out with one site,  HostGator is a great choice for them since it is the least expensive and still has unlimited space, but if you are thinking of expanding to multiple sites, you may want to consider a plan that allows hosting of multiple domains.

HostGator is a leading provider of web hosting. With a full in-house support team of over 150 industry veterans, customers are not required to sign up for any contract longer than month to month service and there are no setup fees on the plans.  Click here for Unlimited Domain Hosting with HostGator for only $7.95 a Month

Bluehost was recently awarded best new hosting company and best customer support by some of the leading hosting review companies. Unlimited domains can be hosted for no extra charge on 1 account.  Click here for a free Domain with a $6.95 Hosting Package from Blue Host.

GoDaddy hosting is secure and reliable with very good customer support. Click here to compare the GoDaddy.com Hosting Plans

Website Design, Development and Internet Performance

Your company will need a website.  Are you the do it yourself type or are you looking for a professional to create the site for you?

A professional firm will take care of all of the details for you, including the design, development, marketing, monitoring and maintenance.  A trusted partner-firm that we have worked with is Radius3.  You can see more about their firm at www.AdvanceYourWebsite.com

If you are the do it yourself type and desire to create and market the site on your own, here are several resources to help you decide which way to go.

Platform

Joomla.org is an award-winning content management system (CMS), which enables you to build Web sites and powerful online applications.

WordPress.org is an outstanding personal publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability that is great for blogging.

Template

Having a great look for a website is very important. DreamTemplate is a premium template subscription provider with over 1800 professionally designed templates available.

Electronics

Computers and accessories are certainly important for a business as well.  The below provides discounts on laptops and accessories:

Laptops for Less offers accessories for laptops, moblie phones, etc.
Click here for instant discounts and specials on thousands products from Laptops for Less

Office

If you are not a home-based business and are going to have an office, then it needs to be right for you.  The below sections provide details and useful links to make your office work for you.

Office Space

If you are looking for office space for your business, we suggest you work with a professional tenant / buyer representative.  Here’s a good post on why it’s important to work with a tenant rep.  We have a network of licensed Realtors that works to represent tenants or buyers in their area.  If you are seeking office space, contact us with your location and rough description of what you are looking for and a local professional will be back in touch with you to help you in your search.

Decor

Filling your office with furniture, blinds and accessories will be important in how you look to your clients, but you should certainly find products at the best possible prices.  Here are a few suggestions:

Office Window Blinds, Shades and Shutters from DesignerWindowBlinds for Less and
Office Products and Supplies – Discounted from Amazon.com

Getting Organized

Keeping track of your calendar, staying organized and communicating effectively are quite helpful in business start-ups.  The following should help:

FranklinCovey is the global leader in productivity tools and training for individuals and organizations.

Legal

Many businesses will seek the counsel of a legal professional for their business.  If you are looking for legal assistance in your area, click the link below to be matched with a pre-screened lawyer in your area. This search is completely FREE for you to use.
Click here for the LegalMatch priority service to find pre-screened lawyers in your area

Staying Informed

Keeping abreast of the news in your local market is very helpful to any business. You can get a feel for the economy and see articles on companies in your area. One of the best resources is local business news from bizjournals.  You can sign up for your local RSS feed here.

Traveling

Trips are often required in getting a business up and going.  In today’s economy, making sales calls and seeing contacts face to face is important, but it is also crucial to keep costs in check.  If you are looking to travel for less, click on the following links for discounts on travel, airfare, hotels, etc.

Travelocity SAVES You 20% or MORE on Air Fares
Search Here for Hotels.com Best Hotel Deals!
Round-Trip Flights through Priceline under $200!
Priceline.com Hotels – save up to 50%

If you have any additional suggestions, please let us know.

Best of luck in your endeavors!  Go forth to create your ideal future!