Starting a business always takes money. Even if you are on a shoestring budget, you can still start a successful business if you find ways to minimize startup expenses. Something as simple as creating a written financial plan will help you save money. Every little money-saving tactic will add up; the end result could add up to a bundle. Here’s how to save money when starting a business.

Start small

Starting small and minimizing risk is a great way to save money when starting a business. If you are just starting out, you need to acquire new customers without breaking the bank. Focus on getting the first ten customers. Make sure they are happy with your services before you start chasing more customers. This may not sound like the most exciting way to start a business, but it will save you money and reduce the risks.

Incremental growth allows you to grow strategically. You can test what works and avoid ineffective tactics. Slowly growing a business gives you time to make strategic changes before investing more money in your business. Smaller steps will limit business growth, but they will also limit potential losses.

Leverage a virtual address

A professional image is a must when starting a business. Don’t think that you need to invest a fortune in leasing office space. The smart option is to leverage a virtual office. Having a virtual address means that your business has a professional, physical address away from home that you can display on marketing collateral, use to receive mail, and use to register your LLC. Virtual office services offer all of that and more to help scale your business responsibly.

Virtual office benefits:

  • Instant credibility – Increase credibility with customers, investors, and banks with a commercial business address.
  • Live receptionist – Improve customer service with a professional receptionist and dedicated business number.
  • On-demand meeting space – Host and meet clients and prospects in a private, professional meeting room.

With locations worldwide, virtual offices can support your business almost anywhere.

Buy used

If you want to save money when starting a business, you should think about buying used. Buying second-hand office furniture, vehicles, laptops, smartphones, tools and equipment is an opportunity to save money and make the capital you invest in your business go further.

Make a list

Only spend money on the essentials. When you start a business, you should start with a list of must-have items. For example, before you start shopping for equipment, it’s critical to create your needs and wants list. Then, if you want to save money, only spend on essential pieces of equipment. These are the must-have items to run your business and serve your customers. Don’t add items to the list that aren’t essential.

Hire slow

A lot of entrepreneurs think that success is to hire a large team fast. Building teams is challenging. Employees add a lot of new expenses to your business that require careful consideration and planning. Business is cyclical. One day your business may be super busy, and it may seem like you need more employees. But, companies can significantly slow down too.

When you hire slowly, you save money, but you also give yourself more time to hire the right person for the job.

If there’s one trait above all when starting a business, it’s frugality. It’s hard to overstate the importance of sticking to a budget in business. Don’t the business startup expenses doom your business.