Starting a business for the first time is always a process of test and error. There are some elements that we, as the founder, think are the most important things to get right. Therefore, we believe we need to hire industry professionals to produce the best results we can allow to buy.

After four years of spending in different areas and evaluating the result I would like to share with other founders that there are at least four EXPENDITURE You can avoid when you start your business.

Connected: Start your small business with these cost -effective strategies

1.

Spending five digits to a web development agency is one of my biggest regrets for starting costs. In 2019, when I was thinking of starting Emilia George, it was still the highlight of the DTC brand era. So a sophisticated website was primary. I was consulted with many internet agencies ranked at the top of the herd, including a high-level agency that loads at least $ 100,000 for an e-commerce website. After all, I chose an agency that loaded me $ 16,000 for our inaugural website.

After that initial expense I paid different Bearet Experts in specific website functions during the first two years. What is the status of our current online store? Our team has taken turns to update them. The team member will work for one to two hours a month to ensure that our products and aesthetics are updated.

When you first start with a limited amount of products and services, it is unlikely that personalized letters and additions-in-Cart functions will have overwhelming returns in your investment in your website. It is possible to save a considerable amount of money before you start by creating a website design with a solid User experience And an effective home -made update process (or, most likely, at first).

2. Copy writing

Back in 2019-2020, Chatgt It was less widespread than today. The need to work with copy writers or brand agencies was closest to you as you tried to impress it once in a lifetime in the world. It was useful for me to start with the presentation of the brand. The following year, I soon realized how many times I changed the brand copy after the company continued to grow and run.

There is no perfect description of your company when you first start. Is an ever -developing process until you Find your niche and a sustainable business model. You do not need to spend money on copying agencies or experts, which can cost five figures as you start. Chatgpt does a great job in writing copying if you provide software as much as possible information as possible about your brand and products. Many startups have already approved it, and is a cost -effective tool.

Connected: 7 creative ways for your small business to save money

3. Graphic design

It took me a while to feel that the cost of Adobe's creative clouds was justified. Initially, I thought it was not worth it because I was not fluent in Adobe's functions. I was leaned on graphic designers And photographers to help make many marketing collaterals and edit photos. They were invaluable as I had no ability or mentality to teach them. After a while, like any founder monitors Quickbooks and P/L diligently, this expense seemed expense for our income level.

I decided to install Adobe Creative Cloud and watch online lessons for removing descent as many market sites require white descent products. Eventually I chose Illustrator and Indesign to create marketing collateral. Anteda known, there is a lot of room for improvement in terms of design elements and sophistication, but DIY makes the job and is really favorable for our profit margin.

Over the past two years, Canvas has completely changed the name of the game in relation to graphic design. It is a platform for everyone, the period. No one in my team had experience or training of graphic design, but Canva is all we use now. If anything, new founders can save more money by reconciling in Canva than those more expensive options.

4. Social media management

No one can argue the importance of social media for customer brands. From Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest in Tiktok, many have made solid careers from their tendency and obsession with social media. For the beginnings, it is a perfect type of credit for providing enrolled students. Should not be on your salary list when you start. Social media management is different from the advertising strategy. Two very difficult skills sets are often considered a category of expenses for new founders.

I have witnessed some consumer brands or lifestyle in our space by galvanizing tens- and hundreds of thousands of followers with an encouraging rate, as well as very high customer engagement numbers. Content is what consumers are looking for when using social media. However, whether the content is convertible to sale does not necessarily depend on social media management. If you have a budget to have a online marketing The presence is much better to avoid spending it on social media management roles, but more on advertising management opportunities.

Connected: 8 unconventional ways to reduce costs in your business

That is what time of the year when we all reflect and focus. These four areas of expenses to avoid may disagree from any founder, but they are lessons learned from my experience by building Emilia George with minimal external investment. After all, it's never too late to ask, “Do you want to go fast, or do I want to go away?” Cost optimization is essential.