{"id":16248,"date":"2017-03-07T11:48:26","date_gmt":"2017-03-07T16:48:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=16248"},"modified":"2018-07-19T16:09:37","modified_gmt":"2018-07-19T21:09:37","slug":"essential-tools-starting-small-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/essential-tools-starting-small-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Essential Toolkit for Starting a Small Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Have you been thinking about starting your own business but aren\u2019t sure where to begin? Or are you ready to start, if only you can find time to get everything into place? Here\u2019s a checklist of some of our favorite services, apps, and other must-have tools to guide you through the basics, save you time, and help get your small business off to a good start.<\/p>\n

Every business is different, but in general, you\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n

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1. Your business and sales tax permits<\/h2>\n

Depending on the rules where you live, you may need a business license from your city or county and\/or a license from your state. The Small Business Administration lets you search by state<\/a> to find what you\u2019ll need for your particular business. If you plan to sell digital or physical goods, you may also need to apply for a sales tax permit.<\/p>\n

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\"HostGator<\/a><\/p>\n

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2.Your EIN<\/h2>\n

It only takes a few minutes to apply for a free Employer Identification Number<\/a> (EIN) at the IRS website. The IRS requires an EIN for many types of businesses, and you can see a list of them here<\/a>. Even if you\u2019re not required to get an EIN, you can still apply for one. Using it in place of your personal Social Security Number in your business dealings can protect you against identity theft. Your bank may also require an EIN to open a business account.<\/p>\n

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3. Your business savings and checking accounts<\/h2>\n

Once you have your license and your EIN, you can set up business bank accounts. Even if you\u2019re not dealing with a lot of money at first, having business accounts separate from your personal ones will save you bookkeeping and accounting headaches later. Look for a bank or credit union with low fees, good service, online bill paying, mobile banking, and a debit card for your business expenses.<\/p>\n

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4. Your business insurance<\/h2>\n

Protect your business from the start, especially if you\u2019re a sole proprietor with unlimited liability. Talk to an agent you trust to see if you need additional coverage for your home office or professional liability coverage for the services you provide. If you have employees, you\u2019ll be required to pay taxes toward unemployment insurance, too.<\/p>\n

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5. Your email marketing tools<\/h2>\n

Even businesses on a tiny budget should invest in good email marketing tools. One option we like is Constant Contact,<\/a> which can help you quickly put together professional-looking emails, send them to all or part of your email list, and track responses. Speaking of email marketing'\u00a6<\/p>\n

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6. Your email list<\/h2>\n

Your list is the heart of your business. It\u2019s the email addresses, personal information, and marketing preferences shared with you by your current customers and everyone else who\u2019s opted in to get your emails. These are the people you\u2019ll want to reach with your marketing emails and social media campaigns.<\/p>\n

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7. Your web hosting service<\/h2>\n

You need a business website so customers can find you, and you need someone to host that site. Your hosting service should have reliable uptime, good customer service, and the templates and extras you need. Not surprisingly, we\u2019d humbly suggest using HostGator<\/a>. Add on a backup service like CodeGuard<\/a> to protect your site in case of data loss.<\/p>\n