Free Resources and Tools for Starting a Small Business

Starting a small business can be very expensive. Many times, entrepreneurs put their financial stability on the line to launch their new venture. While small business owners can spend a lot of money within the first few months, there are many resources available that are absolutely free. The trick is finding these free resources for your small business.

Small Business Resource #1 - Free Business Cards

Business cards can be one of the most valuable tools for small businesses when starting out. It provides a means to quickly and easily distribute your contact information. There are some companies, like Vista Print, that offer to print your business cards for free. In exchange for the free cards, you simply need to allow them to print a small image of their logo on the back of the card.

Small Business Resource #2 - Free Accounting Software

Tracking your income and expenses is just as important as the amount of money that you spend to start up your small business. Oftentimes, new entrepreneurs must rely heavily on handwritten records and journals for their accounting needs. Microsoft offers a free downloadable accounting software package for small businesses.

Small Business Resource #3 - Free Web Hosting

A website is a great way for customers to access information about a company. Unfortunately when starting small businesses, this can be a pricey luxury. After paying for someone to design the website and hosting fees, the price tag can become steep. The good news is that it doesn't have to be this way. Sites like freeservers.com allow you to create and maintain a basic website for free. You can upload your own website files or simply follow the on-site design wizard. You will also be provided with a free email account so that customers can easily contact you through the website.

Small Business Resource #4 - Free labor

Ok, so this sounds a little too good to be true (not to mention illegal). Believe it or not, you can score free labor from college students in exchange for work experience, college credits, or job references. This is also a great way for you to get help from people who have experience in fields that you don't. For example, a computer science intern can help you design a website for you company. In exchange, they can add the experience to their resume. Most colleges and universities allow students to earn credits for internships. Contact the school's administrative office to see if the position that you are trying to fill qualifies for their internship program. You can also find interns by posting your position to campus or online job boards.

Small Business Resource #5 - Free PR and Advertising

A business is useless if no one knows it exists. Promotion and advertising can become a matter of life or death for a new small business. Just starting out, you probably aren't going to be airing any television commercials or publishing print ads in magazines. You will more likely stick to simpler, less expensive ways to get your company name out there. Fortunately, there are many ways to promote your company for free. Start by listing your company on the web through free online business directories. In this day and age, online sources are where most people start when searching for a company or service. Also, get your company involved in community service and charity events. Organizations often give special thanks to companies that volunteer time to a charity in the form of plugs in press releases, radio broadcasts, and event signage.

Small Business Resource #6 - Free Ways to Connect and Learn

The most successful small businesses are the ones that learn from the market and adapt to conditions to maximize benefit for the company. Information can be one of the best resources for a small business. There are many places where you can acquire good free advice and guidance to succeed. The US Small Business Administration offers free online courses on many topics from creating a business plan to surviving in a bad economy. Also, check out your local business associations. Many are free to join, and it gives you the opportunity to discuss and learn from other businesses successes and mistakes. If you cannot find one, consider starting your own.

Starting a new business can be very exciting, but there is no reason to go broke trying to accomplish your goals. There are always free or low cost resources that are available. Sometimes the hardest part is finding them. Hopefully, this guide will get you pointed in the right direction to making to most of your new venture.