Decision made – you’re going to do it, get your amazing business up and running! And then you sit down at a computer (or tablet or phone) and start thinking about all the things you need. As soon as you start looking around for ideas and help online, you will find a tonne of ‘advice’ – you need this, you need to buy that. It can quickly become a long list of things. Honestly there’s going to be a lot of things that you really don’t need right this second, including tech you don’t need when you start your business!
New Hardware
Unless you’ve got a really old and slow computer, you don’t have to buy a new one.
It’s very very likely that the one you’re using, or even your current phone will do.
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If you do make the decision to buy a new ‘business’ computer, then I promise, you don’t need the biggest, most expensive anything.
You need a device that allows you to perform the tasks that your business needs, and that’s it.
So sit down and have a long think about what you really will be doing – not hope to be doing – in your business.
You can think about what you need now and in the next year. It doesn’t have to be (and probably won’t be) the only working device you buy.
Plan to get a new computer that will comfortably run the programs that you need.
Software Applications
When you start a business, depending on the type of business you’re running, you might find yourself looking at a range of services and applications.
Online Services
Almost everything is now an ‘online service’, where you can get the latest and greatest for a monthly fee so you’re always on the current version. (Whether you want to be or not!)
You may see a limited time offer that is too good to be true. But before you reach for your card to pay for it, take a min.
Do you really need that service now?
Are you going to start using it immediately?
If the answer is no, and there’s a good chance that that’s true, then you don’t need to buy it.
Remember there’s no point in paying for an online service that you aren’t using.
(Been there, done that!)
Nice to Have
When you start to look into running your own business, you will see and be told that ‘this app is the one I use and it’s made me X additional income’.
Things like:
- Countdown timers
- Chatbots
- Pop-up boxes on the website
- Top banner advertising
These are all ‘nice to haves’. You’re just starting out with the business and it’s money that you don’t need to spend now.
The offers and deals will still be there in the future, if you decide that they are right for you.
Expensive Software
You’re just starting out with the business, probably haven’t made any money (yet).
Going all in on the most expensive software, which you hope is going to be the best, will eat up a large chunk of your budget. Many of these are monthly recurring costs, which until you get regular clients aren’t in your best interest in financial terms.
Unless you are already familiar with the apps, then don’t go there.
Remember when your business takes off (let’s think positively) you can always upgrade or change the software then.
All-in-One Platforms
You will hear a lot about these platforms that for a single price will do everything (except household chores and fix your hot drink).
Here’s the thing – you don’t necessarily know what you are looking for in a platform yet.
The monthly fees are a lot of money, and you probably won’t use most of it right now.
Try some of the individual platforms to see if they suit your needs.
Editing Software
I could break this down into three sub-categories of picture, audio and video editing, but the arguments for and against each one are the same.
Caveat – if you are already experienced with the app and know that it does what you need, then it can be worth the cost.
However, for most solopreneurs this isn’t their area of expertise.
In this case, having the most bells and whistles with the best known professional software is going to:
a) be a waste time – you’ll have to spend a lot to learn how to use it properly and
b) they are usually expensive, especially with everything becoming a monthly fee – you need to ask yourself how much of this big and fancy application will you actually use?
The best argument is that as you’re getting started, learning what you need for the business there are easier and cheaper alternatives.
You can build up the bigger and better software, when you’re ready.
Next steps
Stop, take a min to consider what you are actually going to be using within your business.
Write it down – you can always update or change it later.
The next time you see this cool service at a time limited price – look at your list.
Is it there?
Nope – then you need to virtually ‘walk away’.
We’ve looked at what you don’t need, time to move onto what you do.
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tech you don’t need when you start your business, technology for small business owners, tech basics for startups