Start a Business on $100 or less

SmallBusinessChron: Being your own boss can be one of the greatest pleasures in life. Many people dream of owning their own businesses but put it off because they feel they cannot afford it. Fortunately, however, starting a business doesn't always have to break the bank. A person can start a business with less than $100 out of pocket. The key is to start small, use low-cost advertising methods and build the business on reinvested profits.

• Step 1

  Choose a business that requires little-to-no startup investment. You can start a business selling items you already own or provide services for which you need no new equipment. Open a lawn care business with a mower and trimmer you already possess or launch an errand service using your car to get around to customers and stores.

• Step 2

  Start a business you can run online without buying products for resale. For example, you may start inexpensively offering web design or writing services.

• Step 3

  Sell products offered by a drop shipper. A drop shipper is a company that stocks and ships products for you. You advertise and sell the products. After collecting money from customers, you typically keep a portion of it for yourself and send the rest on to the drop shipper, along with the orders for fulfillment.

• Step 4

  Create a business plan. No matter how modest your business startup, a solid plan influences your chances of achieving success. Your business plan should include information about how you will finance your business startup, get customers and run your business. You may include plans for expanding your business as well.

• Step 5

  Use a free website hosting company to create a website promoting your products or services. Many free hosting companies provide site builders you can use to create a website.

• Step 6

  Barter for the products and services you need to start your business. If you design custom logos, for example, you may offer a free logo to a website owner in exchange for a small ad on his site.

• Step 7

  Create your own marketing materials... READ ON Start a Business on $100 or less by Jordan Meyers, Demand Media

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