Major Startup Costs You Need to Consider When Starting a Business
Taking on a whole new job is quite the feat, but if that job is being a new business owner you’ll have even more to do. One of the most important considerations of a business is its budget, and figuring out what exactly every cost will be is near impossible without a little research. If you’re trying to cover your bases, make sure the following startup costs are included on your list!
Equipment and Inventory
The biggest drawback for anyone thinking about a startup is the expense of the equipment. Equipment and inventory are essential for businesses to produce products or provide services, whether you’re making jewelry or opening an entire store. Where business owners often falter in this area is making generalizations as well as including only the big purchases in their startup budget. The truth is, there will always be more costs than you think when it comes to equipment and especially inventory—so take a lot of time on this one to research what lookalike businesses in your industry need to get a better idea for yourself.
Marketing Costs
So you have all the equipment and inventory you’ll ever need to do business? The next biggest expense will just be getting people to learn about your product and make a purchase. Usually, this ends up being the most money you spend each month, but especially in the beginning, there should be a large percentage of the budget dedicated to increasing brand visibility. If you’re interested in avoiding that, a franchise will let you use an existing brand’s name recognition to start, though you give up the independence and will need to pay recurring fees and royalties.
Location Costs
Unless your business is operating out of your home, you’ll need a large portion of your budget to also include expenses of the space it will take to work from. Even in a house, converting a room into a home office may cost you! Location costs don’t just imply the monthly payments on a leased office or building—you’ll also have to make sure utilities, maintenance, taxes, furniture, and an upfront down payment are included in that number. Keep this in mind when putting a budget together!
There are always hidden costs to running a business. If you have the major startup costs well-figured, however, you’ll have a much better chance of making a profit. Your future business’s success depends largely on your financial management, so start budgeting now to ensure your success.
Read this next: How to Share Your Industry Knowledge With Others