Starting an online business can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right tools, you can have a fully functional setup for as little as $80 per year, or $30 in later years. If you want a little more flexibility, you can bump up to the “Budget Plus” stack for about $150/year.
If you’re brand new to online business, give yourself about two weeks to set everything up. If you have the time, you can do it in just a few days.
Note: The pricing breakdown was updated on February 7, 2025, to reflect changes since the podcast recording. If you’re following along from the episode, check out the updated numbers in the “Budget Breakdown” section below.
Email & Domain Management
Branded email for $12–$84/year
Budget option: Apple iCloud+ ($12/year) – Use iCloud storage for free custom domain email.
Budget Plus option: Google Workspace ($84/year) – Includes cloud storage, calendar, and video conferencing.
Why this matters: A professional email like you@yourbusiness.com makes you look credible from day one.
Scheduling
Best free scheduling tool: Cal.com
Set up meetings with different options—one-on-ones, group calls, or paid sessions.
Built-in payment integration for consultations.
No back-and-forth emails—clients just pick a time that works for them.
Why this matters: A seamless booking process saves time, reduces no-shows, and makes scheduling effortless.
Contracts
eSignatures ($50 one-time credit, then $0.99 per contract)
Pay only when you need it—no monthly fees.
Mobile-friendly contracts that look polished and professional.
Automate contracts—set up templates, auto-sign, and send clients straight to payment after signing.
Why this matters: A streamlined contract process means no chasing signatures or messy paperwork.
Payment Processing
Stripe or Square (Pay-per-transaction, no subscription fees)
Generate payment links—skip the invoice headaches.
Taxes and fees handled automatically.
Works for services and digital products alike.
Why this matters: The easier it is for clients to pay you, the faster you get paid.
Website & Marketing
Substack (Free, or $50 one-time for a custom domain)
Best for businesses with a content-strategy.
Combines blogging, email marketing, and subscriptions in one platform.
Carrd ($20–$50/year, or as low as $9/year for a basic site)
No coding or design skills required—just plug and play.
Pro Standard: $20/year comes with forms and a custom domain.
Pro Plus: $50/year has more advanced features.
Pro Lite: $9/year if you don’t need forms or a custom domain.
Free: basic features for a simple landing page.
Why this matters: A website makes your business look legit. Carrd keeps it simple; Substack helps you build an audience.
Budget Breakdown
Year 1 Costs
Year 2 & Beyond
Next Steps
You don’t need expensive software to run an online business. Whether you’re sticking to the budget stack or going for the budget plus stack, both setups give you everything you need—without the unnecessary costs.
Here’s a recap:
1 Set up your email and domain.
2 Create a scheduling link.
3 Prepare a contract template.
4 Set up payment links.
5 Launch your website or landing page.
Resources
eSignatures - Digital contract signing
Carrd - Simple one-page websites
Substack - Newsletter & blog platform
Apple iCloud+ - Using a custom domain
Cal.com - Free scheduling tool
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