Recommended Products

When launching your small business startup you will most likely find yourself in need of many products and services such as those listed below. I have used some of these for my own business startups and can personally recommend them. Others I have not necessarily had a need for, but present them here for those that do.

Logos

Do it yourself logos! How cool is that? Create your own professional quality logo in minutes. Each logo is unique and can even be trademarked. $99 - Do it yourself online logos. Try before you buy!

Legal/Professional Services

H&R Block

H&R Block is the most widely used and recognized tax preparation company in the U.S. Now you can use their services online! If you prefer to file your own taxes and save on fees, they also offer software to make it fast and simple to do it yourself.

Another truly great product they offer is called Home & Business Attorney. This software gives you 180 customizable business legal documents. This is an incredible product for those of you starting your own businesses with limited funds. It's like having an attorney in a box! (In the H&R Block site, on the right side of the screen, find Related Products.)

Payroll/Accounting

QuickBooks

For a small business owner the accounting aspects of your responsibilities needn't be a major obstacle. With Quick Books this mundane, yet necessary task is handled with the touch of a few keystrokes. The basic version shown here is perfect for the small business start up.

Domain Names / Web Hosting

Yahoo Small Business

Looking for reliable, affordable web site hosting? Yahoo! Small Business will offer 35% off all Web Hosting and Merchant Solutions packages for the first two months. In addition, all setup fees for both Web Hosting and Merchant Solutions will be waived! Better hurry, this offer expires March 31, 2007.

GoDaddy.com

Highly recommended! I own many domain names
(the result of owning several different businesses over the years) and have bought them through different companies. I feel foolish having gone through much more expensive sites paying way more than I should have. Godaddy.com registrations start as low as $1.99! Can't go wrong. And they offer everything from domain names to web site hosting to email faxing and even SSL certificates! The service is as good as the price!

Point of Sale Systems

Cash registers can be as simple as a small device with no screens - just the electronic readout built in - or as elaborate as a regular, full size personal computer with a regular monitor (flat screen) and keyboard. Add a cash drawer and receipt printer and you're set. For a small business start up this model should suit your needs.

Printing

VistaPrint.com

Business Cards (free!), Stationery, Brochures, Labels, Magnets, Stamps, Flyers, Postcards, Announcements and more. Highly recommended. I was skeptical when I placed my first order. I had always used local printers to have my business cards printed because I wanted to hold in my hands an actual example. But $45.00 a box was pretty steep compared with free! I decided to try Vistaprint.com.. And since it was only around $9.95 (total price) to upgrade to the better quality, shiny business cards I knew it wouldn't be too risky.

I also tried the magnets and couldn't be happier with the results! Remember, nobody throws away magnets. Imagine your business name/logo on refrigerators everywhere! Give them a try! 50% Off All Magnets - All Sizes

Stamps.com

As a small business owner you will be busier than ever. Never waste your time standing in line at the post office again! Print postage from your own pc and printer! Print postage directly on your envelopes for a professional appearance. And you can even have your own personal photos on your postage stamps! USPS-approved postage.

Advertising/Marketing

My all time favorite marketing tool is the press release. I always advise business owners to take advantage of the power of a press release. It is an easy, fast and FREE way to generate publicity for your business and drive more customers through your doors. One press release of mine was picked up by several newspapers and a tv producer. Reporters and photographers were coming to my shop for a full year after I sent out one simple press release! I followed the simple directions in this amazing little book by Marcia Yudkin and the results were amazing. A MUST READ!

CallWave

Do you still worry about missing calls while surfing the net or working online? Check this out:Stop Missing Important Calls While Online! Stop Missing Important Calls While Online! CallWave's Internet Answering Machine! Only $3.95 after 30 Day Trial!

When setting up your home office (or any office) you no longer need to spend hundreds of dollars on a fax machine. Receive and send faxes by email! Lowest monthly price I've seen anywhere. Get a local, private fax number! You'll get faxes directly in your email inbox. Get a local, private fax number! You'll get faxes directly in your email inbox. Only $7.95 after a 30 day trial!

Web Site Builder

Sitesell.com

A great all in one site that takes it several steps further than any other web site builder/host. For starters, they offer a brainstorming program! Think you want to start an Internet business but not sure what to sell? Need help building your web site? Confused about hosting? Try this:

Credit Card Merchant

Electronic Transfer Inc.

No matter what type of business you choose to start up you will likely need a credit card merchant account. No business is too small to set up a credit card merchant account. You must be able to accept credit cards. Your sales will without a doubt double and triple when your customers have the ability to charge their purchases. They will be more apt to spend more and spend on impulse if they are able to use a credit card. This is a must have. And setting up an account is a very simple process.

Merchant Express

A very popular choice. Great prices. Learn About Accepting Credit Cards - Learn everything about accepting credit cards online and in person - and how to save thousands of dollars per year in the process.

Franchises

One of the fastest, easiest ways to business ownership is buying a franchise. As a rule, a franchise has a proven business model. It is a fact that franchises stand a better chance at success. While no new business is a sure thing, starting with a franchise will give you a leg up. Trying to sift through the thousands of different franchises can be mind boggling and confusing. If you don't want to go it alone you have the option of registering with Franchise-Consultation.com. They are in partnership with the trusted and recognized Entrepreneur Magazine. Learn more here...

Price Your Product Or Service Right The First TIme

One of the most difficult things to do when selling a product or service is learning how to set your price. Too high and you lose sales. Too low and you lose profit. Now there is a proven system to help you choose the perfect price. Learn how to price with complete confidence & double your Net profits!