Novice-friendly Guide To Starting A Business From Home

So, you want to be an online entrepreneur? Out of all the business ideas from home, starting an online business is the most viable, given the current scenario (AKA post the COVID-19 pandemic). Also, there are tons of tools out there to make your dream a reality. 

Since some tools are more helpful than others, here’s a narrowed-down list to get you started. 

Laptop/Computer

For online businesses, it is essential to have a laptop or computer that is ready for remote work. This will allow you to connect to the Internet and access your files from anywhere. In addition, with a laptop, you can work from anywhere without being tethered to a specific location. So you can work when on the go.

Also, you get to conduct various business tasks like website building, blogging, email marketing, social media marketing, etc.

If you already have one, you can start your online business idea immediately. 

Stable Internet Connection

Although this is obvious, most people miss out on having a reliable Internet connection. If you are starting an online business, you need to stay connected with your audience or your team. Using your mobile data hotspot on your laptop/computer won’t be enough. 

Install A Cleaner App

Install a solid cleaner app on your laptop/computer that not only deletes system junk and unwanted apps but also detects and alerts against malware attacks. An all-round application will ensure your device is always up-to-date, free of malware, and performing at its best.

For example, if you are using a MacBook for your online business, you can clean your Mac using a cleaner app and, with a single click, optimize the performance and speed of the device.

Business Planning Software

Having an excellent idea is the first step to starting an online business, but you need to fine-tune your idea and create a business plan. There are several tools to help you lay out the blueprint and make a business plan so your idea can turn into a profitable venture. 

For instance, you can use LivePlan and its more than 500 business templates to find the best one for your venture. Furthermore, you might also need a scheduling tool for maintaining a to-do list to give shape to your business plan. 

Market Research Tools

Market research tools act as secret weapons to help entrepreneurs understand their customers and find new ones. Through market research, you can learn about your target audience and assess the viability of your business idea.

You can use creative market research tools: Answer the Public, SurveyMonkey, BuzzSumo, etc. 

Website Builder

Now that you have a solid business plan and know your target audience, you can move toward building a business website. WordPress is one of the best platforms for designing a business website because it is user-friendly and flexible.

You can use WordPress to quickly build a website that meets your needs and looks professional. The platform offers multiple themes and plugins to make it easier for beginners to get started. 

Design Software

You need access to good design tools for your marketing and promotional needs. Some of the widely used ones are Canva, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Canva is a user-friendly graphic design software that is beginner-friendly, and you can use this tool to create professional-looking graphics for social media accounts, websites, and marketing materials. Canva provides several templates that make it easy for novices to get started. 

Customer CommunicatiOn Tools

It is critical to stay connected to your clients or customers if you want to run a successful online business. Fortunately, there are more ways than one to communicate with your customers today than there were a decade ago.

Weave is an excellent tool for streamlining communication for online businesses. The tool enables users to automate their customer communication with appointment scheduling, texting, and payment reminders.

MailMunch and Mailchimp are great for email and can help you maintain your email list. Thanks to their customizable features like automatic syncing of newsletter and email campaigns or custom landing pages, they are a favorite among most business owners. 

Tool For Outsourcing Task

Unless you already have a team ready for your online business, you might need to outsource some tasks. For example, there might be parts of your online business that you’re too busy to handle or not skilled enough for them.

When starting, hiring a full-time employee to handle those tasks might not be feasible. 

Whether it is copywriting, logo design, software development, or social media strategy, you can find skilled freelancers to handle the job on platforms like Upwork. 

The Bottom Line

Follow this guide to start a business from home. You might need more tools in the future, such as project management tools (Slack or Trello), bookkeeping software (Freshbooks), CRM software, etc. Also, you must hire a team to handle other complicated tasks in the future so your business operations sail smoothly. All the best for your venture.