Are you dreaming about starting your own online business but feel unsure about the costs? Well, girl, you’re in the right place! Starting an online business in 2025 is more affordable than you might think, and I’m here to break it all down for you. Let’s get real about the numbers so you can start planning your future boss moves!
Let’s talk real numbers
I’ve started multiple successful online businesses selling digital products—courses, e-books, affiliate links, and even an app. Trust me, I know what it feels like to be unsure about investing money into something new.
When I first started, I was super cautious and only put in $100 to see how things would go. And guess what? It worked! I slowly reinvested my profits and scaled my business step by step.
On the other hand, when I launched my second business with a $1,000 budget, I had everything I needed to hit the ground running—professional branding, a killer website, and marketing tools that made a huge difference.
Cost of Starting an Online Business in 2025: 100$ – doable 1.000$ – comfortable 1.000+$ – piece of cake!
Ladies, it’s really not that complicated! You don’t need a fortune to start, just a solid plan, some hustle, and the right mindset. Believe in yourself, start small, and grow big!
A 100$ to start an online business? That sounds to good to be true…
Well… I’m going to give you all the details so you don’t have to take my word for it. Let’s break it down into categories:
- Website & Branding: 50$ (biggest cost)
- Product: free for digital products
- Marketing: free (all you need is time)
- Business Registration: 0-50$ (depending on where you live)
Website and branding
Use WordPress to run a website or online store for 35$/year
The best way to start your website is by using WordPress. WordPress is a popular platform that helps you build websites easily without needing to know coding. It’s used by millions of people around the world to create blogs, online stores, portfolios, and more.
Cost: WordPress hosting + custom domain = about 35$/year at Bluehost or Hostinger
Wait… I don’t know what any of this means!
Don’t worry, it’s really not that complicated. Don’t let the lack of technical knowledge stop you from starting a business.
To create your website, you will need two things:
- Hosting – This is where your website’s files are stored. Think of it as renting space on the internet.
- Domain – This is your website’s address, like www.yourbusiness.com. It’s how people will find you online.
If you don’t have any experience with websites, go ahead and learn! I can guarantee you this is THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILL you’ll ever need when starting an online business. It’s also where people tend to spend the most money, which I believe is a huge mistake.
There are thousands of free tutorials on YouTube that will teach you step by step. Just search for “How to create a WordPress website” and you’ll find helpful videos that show you exactly what to do. I guarantee that in just a few hours, you’ll be able to build your own online store without paying anyone to do it for you. And you’ll have that skill for life!
Create your logo and brand
Once your website is ready, it’s time to think about branding. Branding is how people see and remember your business. Here are some easy steps to create a strong brand:
- Design a Logo: You can create a free logo using websites like Canva or free online AI logo generators (just Google it). Sometimes your business name written in a fancy font is all you need.
- Select Colors and Fonts: Pick colors and fonts that match your style and use them everywhere. Colors are also part of the brand. Keep your posts/website/product colors consistent, so people can remember your business.
Girl, don’t let anyone tell you that you need to spend hundreds on a professional designer to create your logo. It’s absolutely okay to design your own logo because no one understands your vision better than you do. Your brand should reflect your personality, your values, and your style, and who better to capture that than you? With free tools like Canva, you can easily experiment with colors, fonts, and styles until you create something that truly represents your business.
Plus, designing it yourself gives you the freedom to make changes whenever you want without relying on someone else. And over time, this will save you thousands!
Trust yourself—you’ve got this!
Product for your online business
Of course, designing and engineering a brand-new product can cost millions, but let’s be real—you don’t need to build space rockets to make money with your business.
There are so many digital products you can create for free and start selling today. You can share your knowledge, your passion, or simply design something useful that people need.
Here are 20 ideas for free-to-create products to sell online:
- eBooks (even publishing on Amazon is free),
- online courses (for example on Udemy),
- digital planners,
- printable art,
- coaching sessions,
- social media templates,
- stock photos,
- workout plans,
- recipe books,
- blog content,
- website templates,
- freelance services,
- language guides,
- how-to guides,
- meditation tracks,
- digital stickers,
- resumé templates,
- podcasts,
- affiliate marketing guides,
- and even dropshipping businesses where you don’t need to invest in any inventory to start selling
The list goes on an on!
I even published an app for a total cost of just $150 because I took the time and effort to learn programming, instead of paying tens of thousands for someone to do it for me, and be dependent on their services forever. It’s really not that difficult— but that’s a story for another time…
Yes, you can spend a fortune, but…
The bottom line is, yes, you can spend a fortune, but there’s also so much you can do for free to grow a profitable online business. The key is to start with what you have, believe in yourself, and take action. You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment or a huge budget—start now, learn as you go, and turn your ideas into reality. You’ve got everything it takes to succeed!
Marketing
Marketing your business doesn’t have to cost a fortune— in fact, it can be completely free! You don’t need a huge budget to get your products or services in front of people. With a little creativity and effort, you can market your business effectively without spending a dime.
The internet is full of opportunities to reach your audience, build your brand, and grow your business for free. Whether you’re using social media, content creation, or networking, there are countless ways to get the word out.
Here are 30 ideas for free marketing:
- Create engaging content on social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
- Start a blog and share valuable tips
- Use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to get found on Google
- Engage in Facebook groups related to your niche
- Start a YouTube channel and share tutorials or reviews
- Offer free webinars or live Q&A sessions
- Collaborate with influencers for product reviews
- Write guest posts on popular blogs
- Join online forums (like Quora or Reddit) and help answer questions
- Create eye-catching Pinterest graphics
- Encourage happy customers to leave reviews (for example on Trustpilot)
- Send personalized DMs with value, not spam
- Create a free lead magnet (eBook, checklist, guide)
- Use email marketing with a free platform like Mailchimp
- Leverage LinkedIn for business-related discussions
- Host Instagram giveaways to boost engagement
- Add your business to free online directories (usually your local city or state)
- Create viral challenges or hashtags
- Offer free samples in exchange for testimonials
- Partner with other small businesses for cross-promotion
- Take advantage of Reddit to share insights
- Post on local community boards (like Craigslist, Kleinanzeigen, OLX, Milanuncios, etc)
- Optimize your Google My Business profile
- Start a podcast and share your expertise
- Repurpose your content across multiple platforms
- Run polls and quizzes to engage your audience
- Use WhatsApp groups to connect with potential customers
- Add a referral program that rewards sharing
- Create promotional graphics to be positioned on Google Images
- Distribute leaflets to other local businesses
Make money first
Of course, having a marketing budget can really speed things up, and it’s usually money well invested. Paid ads can help you reach more people faster and scale your business quickly. But the truth is, you can absolutely get your first sales without spending anything on marketing.
That’s exactly what I did when I started my first online businesses—I focused on free marketing strategies, and once I started making sales, I reinvested what I had already earned into paid marketing.
This way, I didn’t have to take any financial risks or start with a big budget. It was a smart, stress-free way to grow my business without worrying about losing money. So don’t let a lack of funds hold you back—start with what’s free, build momentum, and reinvest your profits to scale up when you’re ready!
Registering your online business
Starting a business doesn’t have to cost a lot, and in many countries, it’s actually free to register your business. For example, in countries like the United Kingdom, Estonia, Poland, and New Zealand, you can register certain types of businesses, such as sole proprietorships or small enterprises, at no cost or for a very low fee. These countries encourage entrepreneurship by making it easy and affordable to start a business legally.
In other countries, business registration is also quite affordable. For instance, in the United States, registering a sole proprietorship can cost anywhere from $0 to $50, depending on the state. In Canada, it typically costs around CAD 60-80 to register a small business. In Germany, the cost to register a sole trader (Einzelunternehmen) is usually under €50, making it an accessible option for aspiring entrepreneurs. Similarly, in India, starting a small business can cost as little as a few hundred rupees, depending on the type of registration.
No matter where you are, registering your business is often much cheaper than people think. Plus, it gives you credibility, legal protection, and access to more opportunities. Don’t let the idea of high costs hold you back—do some research, find out what applies in your country, and take the first step towards making your business official!
But what about the taxes?
You might worry that starting a business means dealing with complicated taxes, but the truth is, it’s not as difficult as it seems.
In most countries, small businesses and freelancers only need to pay taxes on their profits, and if you’re just starting out, your tax obligations may be minimal or even zero if your income is below a certain threshold.
For example, in the UK, small businesses under a certain income level can benefit from tax-free allowances. In Germany, there are simplified tax rules for small businesses earning below €22,000 per year. In the U.S., if you operate as a sole proprietor, you simply report your earnings on your personal tax return. Many governments also offer helpful online resources and free consultations to guide small business owners through the tax process.
Taxes shouldn’t scare you away from following your dreams—millions of people handle it successfully, and so can you!
Do you believe me now?
I think I’ve proven that the idea that starting an online business requires a huge investment is just a myth, didn’t I? You don’t need thousands of dollars, a fancy office, or a team of experts to get started. With just a small budget—or even for free—you can build something amazing from scratch. All it takes is your passion, creativity, and the willingness to learn.
Girl, don’t let anything stop you! If you have a dream, chase it. The tools and resources are right at your fingertips, and there’s never been a better time to start than now.
Once you take that first step, you’ll realize how easy it actually is, and you’ll laugh at all the doubts you had before. Success doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect moment; it comes from taking action, learning as you go, and believing in yourself.
Now go out there and make that money, girl. 💁♀️💸
With love,
Your Business B
