Essential Tools for Starting an Online Business (What You Actually Need — and What You Don’t)

When people first look into essential tools for starting an online business, they usually end up massively overcomplicating things.

They see long lists of:

• expensive software

• monthly subscriptions

• tools they don’t understand

• “must-have” systems that promise the world

And most of it just isn’t necessary — especially when you’re starting out.

Let’s strip this back and talk about what you actually need.

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The Biggest Tool Mistake Beginners Make

The most common mistake I see is people buying tools before they know what they’re building.

Tools don’t create income.
Taking action does.

When you’re just getting started, you only need a small handful of core tools — and you add more later when it makes sense.

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The Core Tools You Actually Need

1. A Computer and Internet Access

Nothing fancy required.

If you can:

• browse the web

• watch videos

• create basic documents

You’re good to go.

You don’t need high-end hardware or specialist software at this stage.

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2. An Email Marketing Tool (The Money Is In The List)

At some point, you will want a way to communicate with people who are interested in what you’re doing, this is the most important part of building a sustainable business so is where I would start.

Email is still one of the most reliable and profitable channels online — and that hasn’t changed.

Your best beginner-friendly options worth looking at are:

• GetResponse – good all-round option with automation features, also has a free trial, and then are around $25 per month.

  
  Note: that is an affiliate link for GetResponse, and I recommend them over AWeber as they are signifcantly cheaper – AWeber recently hiked their prices quite significantly.

You don’t need to master email marketing on day one, but choosing a solid platform early makes life much easier later.

? GetResponse

(You can start simple and grow into the more advanced features as you go.)

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3. A Simple Way to Stay Organised

This sounds boring — but it’s important.

You need somewhere to:

• track what you’re working on

• note ideas

• keep things clear in your head

A notebook, notes app, or basic document is more than enough.

Clarity beats complexity every time.

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What You Don’t Need (Yet)

This is where most people waste money.

You do not need:

• a website straight away

• complex funnels

• paid ads

• expensive “all-in-one” platforms

Those tools can be useful later — but buying them too early doesn’t make you more serious.

It just gives you more things to avoid actually doing the work.

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Keep It Simple Until Progress Demands More

The goal at the start is momentum, not perfection.

Once you:

• understand what you’re building

• start seeing results

• know what’s working

Then you upgrade tools intentionally — not because someone told you that you “must”.

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Final Thought

If you’re serious about starting an online business, don’t let tools become a form of procrastination.

Focus on:

• learning one method

• taking small, consistent actions

• using only what you actually need

That’s how progress happens.

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Not Ready for All the Tools Yet?

If you want to start even simpler, there are side hustles that:

• don’t require a website

• don’t need email marketing right away

• can generate extra cash quickly

You can check those out here:

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Check out these 12 Side Hustles:

https://mat1.com/hustle/

Note: Yes, this ^ is one of my products.

 

 

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