It goes without saying, that in order to run a successful business, you must have the capital to keep it afloat. While major corporations have the backing of rich investors and the support and funding from banks, small businesses are often plagued by small budgets and little support. To remain relevant in a highly-competitive market, entrepreneurs must essentially think outside of the box in finding ways to cut back. Below are a few more ways you can save your small business money.
Do it yourself
You’re capable of a lot more than you’ve given yourself credit for. If you’re in the beginning stages of running a business, it may be more cost-effective to tackle many of the responsibilities on your own. Obviously, you shouldn’t try to handle the books if you don’t have the slightest idea about business accounting practices, but if you’re well-versed in an area, it may be more affordable to do it on your own for a while. For instance, answering your own phone calls, sending out emails, or putting up web content, might be jobs that are mundane but easy for you to master for the sake of saving cash.
Bundle services
No business is complete without the proper channels of communication. From having a dedicated business line to having reliable internet services, you’ll need these things to conduct business effectively. Instead of trying to price the cost of service separate, find providers who offer wifi and cable packages or phone services. Bundling the services will automatically result in savings.
Buy second hand
Do you need office furniture and equipment? Whether you’re looking to purchase a desk and chair or mobile phone and laptop, you can purchase these items second hand for increased savings. As trends continue to change, businesses have a tendency to get rid of their old things (even if they are in good condition) just to invest in something new. Looking for refurbished items online will cut the cost sometimes in half. When purchasing electronics, however, be sure to purchase items that come with a warranty should they break down.
Locate discounts and use coupons
If you thought that discounts and coupons were only for personal shopping, think again. You can use these same discounts, promotional offers, and coupon codes to purchase things you need for the office. Check weekly circulars for the best deals and keep an eye out for coupons you can use. You may be able to find some good coupons for commonly used office supplies like pens, paper, ink, clips, staples, and more.
Remote workforce
If you don’t have to have a physical office, then it may be economically wise not to invest in one. The cost of leasing a commercial property along with the utilities and maintenance can dig into a small business budget quickly. Working remotely eliminates the need to pay rent, gas, electric, and other fees associated with a physical office. With plenty of free and affordable collaborative software, you should have no issue with working with your team and effectively managing them from virtually anywhere.
Hire an intern
Outsourcing is one of the most common ways to save money in a small business. Though there are some things you may need to outsource like payroll, bookkeeping, and information technology (IT), there are other mundane tasks that you could hire someone else to do. Consider hiring a college graduate as an intern to complete administrative tasks. Since they’re working for the experience, you won’t have to worry about coming up with a salary at the end of the week.
Barter
The good old bartering system has been beneficial to a lot of businesses. By partnering with the right brands, companies can tap into each other’s skills or resources to complete necessary tasks within their business. The best part is that it doesn’t cost a thing. If you were a business coach, for instance, who was in need of marketing, you might offer your coaching services to a blogger in exchange for content and other digital media exposure. You are in turn helping them to be better business professionals and they are helping you to reach your target audience.
There’s no denying that money is needed to effectively run a business. If you’re working with a small budget, it is imperative for you to map out the best ways to invest and save your money. By reducing overhead costs and simplifying processes, you can preserve a lot of capital that can be used to expand your business beyond your wildest dreams.