Nothing in life is free. Going on a vacation, buying a box of cupcakes, or starting your own business--there's always some cost involved. No matter what cost you spend, it's always an investment.
- When you go on a vacation, you're investing in yourself and your mental health.
- When you purchase a box of cupcakes, you're satisfying your hunger and investing in your health (well, cupcakes aren't the perfect example of healthy food).
- When you spend on your startup business, you invest in your business and your future.
But no two cupcakes are the same. How you run your startup business, your business proposition, your business value--it's all different from others. However, what's common between all startup businesses is this: startup costs.
Starting a business can be daunting, with many costs to consider. It is essential to carefully consider these costs to properly budget and ensure the success of your venture.
What are Startup Costs?
Startup costs are the startup expenses you incur during the process of starting your business. These costs can include a variety of expenses such as rent, salaries, equipment, marketing, legal fees, insurance, taxes, supplies, and professional services.
Startup costs are usually one-time business startup expenses incurred before your business is operational, and they can vary significantly depending on the type and size of your business. It is crucial to carefully consider and budget for your startup costs to ensure the success of your business.
Here is a list of common business startup costs and how they are computed, along with some examples:
1. Startup capital
This is the money you need to get your business off the ground. It can be sourced from personal savings, loans, or investments from friends and family. You can estimate your startup capital by creating a list of all the startup expenses you will incur in the first few months of business, including rent, salaries, and marketing expenses.
2. Rent
If you are opening a physical storefront or office space, rent will be a significant part of your startup costs. Some businesses start in their backyard or house in the first year or two. If you can do that, that's great. However, as you scale, you need a bigger space, and you'd need office space.
The amount of rent you pay will depend on the location and size of the space, as well as any amenities or services included. If you're going for business spaces in commercial areas, know that it will carry a higher price tag and heftier taxes, thus, increasing your startup costs.
You can estimate your rent by searching for available spaces in your desired location and negotiating with landlords or property management companies.
3. Salaries
As you hire employees, you will need to pay them a salary or hourly wage. The amount you pay will depend on the job duties and the employee's experience and qualifications. You can estimate your salary startup expenses by determining how many employees you need and their job duties, then researching the average salary for those positions in your area.
The first year of your payroll will be challenging for your startup. However, recent events have opened new possibilities, and you can hire remote workers (a more startup expenses-friendly option) or hire employees who will physically come to your office.
4. Equipment
Depending on your business, you may need to purchase equipment such as computers, printers, machinery, or tools. The cost of this equipment will depend on the type and quantity you need. You can estimate your equipment startup costs by listing the items you need and researching their prices.
5. Marketing
Marketing is crucial for getting the word out about your business and attracting customers. Marketing startup costs can include things like advertising, social media management, and public relations. These particular startup costs may vary every month depending on the type of business that you're running, how often you run a marketing campaign, and what channels you use for your marketing.
You can estimate your marketing costs by determining your target audience and the marketing channels you will use to reach them and then researching the costs associated with those channels.
6. Legal fees
A lot of your startup costs depend on the type of business that you have. For instance, if you're opening a restaurant, other than the typical business permits and licenses, you'd need sanitation permits and food safety licenses, depending on your local government requirements.
Keeping a lawyer as a retainer is a worthwhile business startup costs investment. Lawyers will draft your agreements, give you advice on forming your business entity, or work with you through your incorporation process (should you need one).
It is crucial to have legal documents in place when starting a business, such as contracts, leases, and business licenses. Legal fees will depend on the complexity of your business and the services you require. You can estimate your legal costs by consulting with a lawyer and discussing your business needs.
7. Insurance
Protecting your business against potential risks is vital, and insurance can help cover those risks. As part of your startup costs, insurance costs will depend on the type of business you are starting and the coverage you need.
You can estimate your insurance costs by researching the different types of insurance available and consulting with an insurance agent to determine the best coverage for your business.
8. Taxes
All businesses are required to pay taxes on their income, and the amount you pay will depend on your business type and your profits. Yes, we know. Hiring a professional accountant to handle your books can add to your business startup costs, but just like lawyers, they are worthwhile investments. They can give you wise advice about tax write-offs and sound financial advice.
You can estimate your tax expenses by consulting with a tax professional and discussing your business structure and income.
9. Supplies
Depending on your business, you may need to purchase supplies such as office supplies, raw materials, or inventory. The cost of these supplies will depend on the type and quantity you need.
Remember, a box of pens might only cost you a few dollars, but reams of paper over a period of one year can add up and make a dent in your business startup costs.
10. Professional services
Image taken from Tabla’s Gourmet
You may need to hire professionals for tasks such as accounting, web design, or graphic design. The cost of these services will depend on the complexity of the work and the experience of the professional. You can estimate your professional service costs by determining what services you need and researching the rates of professionals in your area.
Tips to Reduce Startup Costs
Starting a business can be expensive, but there are ways to reduce startup costs and make the most of your budget. Here are some tips to help you reduce startup costs:
- Create a detailed budget
By carefully planning and forecasting your expenses, you can identify areas where you can cut costs or negotiate better prices.
- Negotiate leases and contracts
When signing leases or contracts, negotiate for the best terms and rates possible. This could include negotiating lower rent or getting a longer lease term.
- Look for grants and funding
Many organizations and government agencies offer startups grants and funding. Research and apply for any that may be relevant to your business.
- Seek out free or low-cost resources
There are many free or low-cost resources available to startups, such as free business software, open-source tools, and co-working spaces.
Image taken from Strikingly
For instance, instead of hiring a web developer to build your website, you can sign up with Strikingly and create your free website in 20 minutes to reduce your startup costs.
Image taken from Strikingly
Strikingly is a website builder that allows users to create professional-looking websites quickly and easily. It offers a range of templates, customization options, and features such as e-commerce, blog, SEO optimization, and social media integration. Strikingly is aimed at small businesses and individuals who want to create a website without needing to have coding skills or technical expertise. You can sign up for a free account or upgrade to a paid plan for additional features and support.
Or, to help you track your startup expenses, you can use Quickbooks. Quickbooks is a popular accounting tool that businesses, regardless of scale, use to track startup expenses, profitability, and cash flow.
- Use your network
Leverage your personal and professional networks to find deals and discounts on supplies, equipment, and services.
- Outsource when possible
Instead of hiring full-time employees, consider outsourcing tasks or services to contractors or freelancers. This can save on salary and benefits costs.
- Start small
Consider starting with a small, lean operation and scaling up as the business grows. This can help you save on costs in the early stages of the business.
By following these tips, you can reduce your startup costs and increase the chances of success for your business.
In conclusion, starting a business requires careful planning and budgeting to ensure its success. Considering and estimating each of these costs can create a solid foundation for your business. Good luck!
