The Essential Tech You Need to Get Started in Your Business
(This page contains affiliate links, which means that if you buy something after clicking on a link, I may earn a commission)Starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right tools and technology.
I find there are two types of business owners:
There’s the ones that want to make sure they have all their ducks in a row before they launch, but have trouble visualising how their business will run…
And there’s the ones that wade in and get on with things but before they know it, they get busy and find they don’t have what they need in place to operate smoothly.
With so many options out there, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of apps, platforms, and subscriptions. The good news? You don’t need every shiny new tool to succeed. Here’s a streamlined list of the essential tech you need to hit the ground running in your business:
1. A Professional Website
A website is probably the biggest investment you will have to make at the start of your business journey. And it doesn’t matter what type of business you run, whether you have a shop, provide a service, are a coach, or a health provider - you do need a website. Unlike social media platforms, you own your website and it can’t be taken away from you. It provides a central location for all your content, information and most importantly how your customers can buy from you.
Your website is your digital storefront. It’s often the first impression potential clients or customers will have of your business, so it’s worth investing in a clean, professional design.
A website comes in three parts: the domain (name of your site), hosting (makes your site accessible to the world) and design (the content of your site). These can be three separate costs, or as a package, so you will need to do your research first.
It is entirely possible to create a website for free (without a custom domain name) via a free tool such as Wix, or a landing page via an email marketing tool such as MailerLite or even as a shared Google doc. This would at least get you started and remove the obstacle of needing a website.
Where to start: Wix and Squarespace have all in one packages of domain, hosting and design templates. Wordpress is one of the most popular and flexible tools but domain and hosting will need to be purchased separately.
My Recommendation: Squarespace makes it easy to build a beautiful website without needing to know how to code. Squarespace includes:
Mobile-responsive design.
Built-in SEO tools.
E-commerce or service booking capabilities
2. Professional Email Address
Email will be your main source of communication so it’s worth getting it right from the start. As an absolute minimum (although I highly recommend getting a professional email from the start) you can set up an email using one of the free providers: Gmail, Hotmail, iCloud, for instance.
As an example, perhaps I would use something along the lines of mybusinessname@gmail.com. But, it looks more professional if your email matches your website domain, i.e. hello@mybusinessname.com, and this can usually be purchased as an extra package when purchasing your domain.
Where to start: you can either purchase this as part of your domain, so with domain providers such as: GoDaddy, Domain.com, Namecheap.com, or as part of your website package: Wix or Squarespace (Google Workspace).
My Recommendation: Google Workspace. This can be purchased directly from Google, or is free for 1 year when purchasing a Squarespace subscription.
3. Email Marketing Platform
Even in the age of social media, email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience. Platforms like Mailchimp, Mailerlite, or Flodesk allow you to:
Collect and manage email subscribers.
Send newsletters and automated email sequences.
Track open rates and engagement.
Start with a free plan and upgrade as your business grows.
Where to start: Take a look at MailerLite and MailChimp, which both have free plans. Other tools you could use: FloDesk, ActiveCampaign, Klayivo…and many, many others.
My Recommendation: MailerLite - simple, clean and straightforward to use and free up to 1000 subscribers.
4. Payment Processing Tool
Whether you’re selling products, services, or both, you’ll need a way to accept payments online. Popular options include:
Stripe: Great for service-based businesses and recurring payments.
PayPal: Widely recognised and easy to set up.
Square: Ideal for both in-person and online payments.
GoCardless: Best for Direct Debits
Ensure your payment processor integrates seamlessly with your website and other tools.
Where to start: Most of the time your other systems will dictate which payment processing tool to use. Also make sure you check the fees as some are more expensive than others.
My Recommendation: GoCardless for standalone payments and direct debits, but Stripe for seamless integration.
5. Project Management System
Staying organised is key, especially if you’re juggling multiple clients or projects. A good project management tool will help you keep track of tasks, deadlines, and progress. Popular choices include:
Trello: Simple and visual with boards and lists.
Asana: Great for managing more complex projects.
Notion: A customisable all-in-one workspace.
ClickUp: A very powerful everything app
Where to start: Keep it simple, think about what you actually need and what will keep you organised. Start with a pen and paper and build from there. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and distracted by the tools I’ve mentioned above.
My Recommendation: I like to keep it really simple and use a combination of Apple Reminders and a bullet journal!
6. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System
If you’re working with clients, a CRM system will help you manage your interactions, track leads, and keep your workflow smooth. Tools like Dubsado or Bonsai are tailored for small business owners and often include features like contracts, invoicing, and client portals. However, these tools often have a steep learning curve and tend to be expensive.
Where to start: In the beginning you can simply track your clients in a spreadsheet, but as you grow you will find you need a tool which allows better tracking and automation.
My Recommendation: I really love CRM tools, but my personal preference is Dubsado.
7. Cloud Storage and File Sharing
Keeping your files organised and accessible is crucial. Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive allow you to store, share, and collaborate on documents from anywhere.
Where to start: Windows users seem to prefer Microsoft 365, Mac users prefer Google Drive. It comes down to personal preference. Both are free to get started, or as part of your office suite.
My Recommendation: Google Drive - use it, get used to it, never look back!
8. Accounting and Bookkeeping Software
Managing your finances doesn’t have to be a headache. Simplify your bookkeeping with tools like:
QuickBooks: Comprehensive and scalable.
FreeAgent: Easy to use for small business owners.
Xero: User-friendly with excellent reporting.
Where to start: In the early days there’s nothing wrong with keeping a simple spreadsheet, but as your business grows, or you start using an accountant, you will need to upgrade. In the UK, Making Tax Digital will come into force from April 2026, if your income is over £50k. Until that time - a spreadsheet will suffice!
My Recommendation: This is absolutely down to personal preference, recommendation from your accountant, and complexity of your business.
9. Images & Graphics
We live in a quick, colourful, highly visual world, so you will no doubt need some images to get you off the ground in your business. This could be images for your website and social media posts, cover photos for your social media profiles, stock images for your newsletters, a logo, a presentation, a document, etc.
Obviously, in a perfect world you go and find yourself a great designer who gets you and a fabulous brand photographer that makes it look like every side is your best side. However, at the start, tight budgets make this difficult and sometimes DIY is the only option.
There are many apps and tools you can use to create “good enough” images and graphics and it is far better to use stock photos and templates than none at all!
Where to start: For stock images take a look at some of the following sites to get yourself some free images; Unsplash, Shutterstock, iStockPhoto, Pexels, and so on.
My Recommendation: Get yourself a free Canva account. Everything you need to create good quality images and graphics, documents, presentations, eBooks etc.
Start Small, Scale Smart
It’s tempting to invest in all the tools at once, but starting with the essentials will save you time, money, and stress. As your business grows, you can add more advanced systems to fit your needs. Remember, the best tech is the one that makes your life easier and your business more efficient.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure which tools are right for you, I’m here to help. Whether you need guidance on what to choose or hands-on support setting everything up, let’s chat! Contact me today to get started.
