6 Things a Start-Up Business Must Do Before Anything Else

6 Things a Start-Up Business Must Do Before Anything Else

6 things you as a new business owner must do are a “secret weapon” that I’m sharing with you to give you competitive advantages right out of the gate.  Let’s get real. Starting a business isn’t the very first thing on your start-up checklist. It’s not pretty logos, Canva templates, and viral reels which don’t build anything by themselves. It’s about building a digital foundation that earns trust, grows your target audience, and makes you money.

The problem? Too many new business owners skip the basics. They jump into selling or branding before they’ve even laid the groundwork that makes people take them seriously. I’ve seen it happen over and over.

So let me hand you the roadmap I wish someone gave me: the six foundational things every new business owner must master first. These are simple, powerful steps that set the tone for everything to come.

Set Up an Email Marketing Account

This is step one for a reason. Before you sell anything, build anything, or even name your business—you need a way to communicate with people who are interested in what you do.

FACT: Email marketing still delivers the highest ROI (Return on Investment) in digital marketing—averaging $36 for every $1 spent. Compare that to the average ROI of about $2 for Google Ads and $4 for Facebook Ads.

Not only is email marketing more cost-effective, but it’s also yours—you own the list, you own the relationship.

And here’s something most people don’t tell you: you must use a professional email service provider to be compliant with the FTC’s CAN-SPAM Act (Look it up if you don’t know what it is. Does $10,000 fines for SPAM email scare you? It’s a reality you need to know about). That means no mass marketing emails from your Gmail account. You need a platform that includes unsubscribe options, legal compliance, and secure list management.

I’ve experienced them all – and I recommend and trust Constant Contact as your email service provider. It’s affordable—starting at just $10/month—and built for beginners. You can afford that investment in your business, trust me.

Set Up a Simple Funnel to Collect Email Addresses

Yes, even before your business officially launches. You can start collecting interest and building a warm audience before your product or service is even ready.

Use Constant Contact to create a simple opt-in form and offer something of value in exchange—like a free checklist, early access, or a discount. This is the beginning of your sales funnel—a way to turn casual visitors into excited future customers.

When you’re ready to open your doors, you’ll already have a list of people who are ready to hear from you.

Purchase a URL for Your Business

This is your piece of digital real estate. Secure it as early as possible—even before your business is fully formed.

Use a trusted registrar like Bluehost to purchase your domain. Think short, memorable, and brand-friendly. A custom domain name establishes credibility and helps you get found online.

And later, it becomes the backbone for your website, email, and branded presence.

Set Up a Business Email with Your New URL

If you're still using a Gmail or Yahoo address for your business, let me be blunt—you're losing trust before you've even had a chance to build it.

A professional email like [email protected] signals legitimacy. Plus, emails sent from generic accounts often land in spam folders—business-branded email addresses see up to a 20% increase in deliverability.

You can set up your branded email through Bluehost (for free) or Google Workspace and then connect it directly to your Constant Contact account.

Set Up a Business Landing Page

You don’t need a full-blown website yet. But you do need a digital home where people can learn about you and sign up for more info.

A landing page is your business’s first impression online. Use it to introduce who you are, what you do, and why it matters, then offer a way for people to join your email list.

Constant Contact has easy-to-use landing page tools that integrate with your email list. No coding, no headaches—just results.

Set Up a Facebook or LinkedIn Business Page

You need a public-facing business profile that isn’t your personal account. This gives you a credible place to engage with your audience and be discoverable online.

• Facebook is perfect for local businesses, lifestyle brands, and consumer-facing services.
• LinkedIn is better suited for B2B businesses, professional services, consultants, and coaches.

Whichever you choose, it’s essential that your business has a digital presence outside of your personal network.

Why These 6 Steps Matter

Each of these steps builds credibility, strengthens visibility, and lays the groundwork for long-term success.

Skip them, and you risk looking unprofessional, losing leads, and spinning your wheels.

That’s exactly why I created LAUNCH 101: A Practical Framework for New Business Owners—to give you the guidance most people never get.

One System. One Focus. Real Progress.

LAUNCH 101 gives you clarity and structure so you can launch with confidence—not chaos.

When you join LAUNCH 101, you’ll get:

✅ The New Business Action Guide – a clear, step-by-step roadmap
✅ Hands-on help setting up your Constant Contact email account
✅ Access to the LAUNCH VIP Community – a private, off-social-space to learn, connect, and grow

Because starting a business shouldn’t be guesswork. You deserve a real plan, a reliable system, and a community of people who believe in building with intention.

👉 Click here to take LAUNCH 101 now and get your Free Action Guide.

I’ll see you on the inside.