15 Tools You Need to Start an Online Business from Home

Starting an online business from home is a great way to make money, but you need the right tools to get started.

In this blog post, I am going to discuss the 15 tools you need to start an online business from home.

Make sure to read my entire blog post to get all the details on the tools you need to get started with your online business from home today!

Here are the 15 15 tools you need to start an online business from home.

Table of Contents

1. A computer or laptop

A computer is your most important tool when starting an online business from home. You will need it to create and design your website, write blog posts and articles, do research, and more.

When choosing a computer, make sure to get one that has enough processing power and memory to handle all your business needs. I recommend getting a laptop because it is more portable and you can take it with you when you travel.

If you are going to become a video editor or gamer, you will need a more powerful computer. Get one with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and at least 8GB of RAM.

Otherwise, an entry-level computer should be fine. Just make sure it has enough processing power and memory to handle what you need it to do.

For example, my business is affiliate marketing. So I would easily be able to do everything I need on an entry-level computer.

2. Fast and reliable internet connection

An internet connection is another important tool you need for your online business from home.

You will need a fast and reliable internet connection to upload and download large files, stream video and audio content, do video conferencing, and more.

I recommend getting a broadband internet connection with speeds of at least 25Mbps.

These days a lot of internet service providers are offering unlimited data plans, so you don’t have to worry about going over your data limit.

To find your nearest provider and get the fastest internet connection you can afford. Also, make sure to choose an internet service provider who also supports you whenever you need help.

3. A quality webcam

A webcam is a must-have if you want to do any video conferencing for your online business from home.

There are many different types of webcams on the market, so choose one that fits your needs and budget.

If you want to do live streaming, then you will need a webcam with HD quality. I recommend the Logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam.

It’s a great all-around webcam that is very affordable and has full HD 1080p video quality. For basic video conferencing, any decent webcam will work fine.

4. A good headset with a mic

If you are going to be doing a lot of video conferencing for your online business from home, then you need a good headset with a microphone.

A headset will allow you to hear the person you are talking to clearly and they will be able to hear you without any issues.

There are many different types of headsets on the market, so choose one that fits your needs and budget.

5. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (or similar program)

If you are going to be doing any type of graphic design for your online business from home, then you need a program like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

These programs are industry-standard for graphic design and allow you to create professional-looking graphics for your website, social media, marketing materials, and more.

They can be expensive to purchase outright, but you can often get them for a discounted price through Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription service.

If you don’t want to use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, there are some cheaper alternatives available such as GIMP and Inkscape.

Or even Canva which is a free online graphic design tool that is very user-friendly and perfect for creating simple designs.

6. Good video editing software

If you are going to be doing any video editing for your online business from home, then you need good video editing software.

There are many different types of video editing software on the market, so choose one that fits your needs and budget. I recommend Adobe Premiere Pro CC.

If you’re looking for an affordable video editing program that has all of the features necessary to produce high-quality videos, then this is the one for you.

For basic video editing, any decent video editing software will work fine. Just make sure it has the features you need and is easy to use.

Also, there are some free video editors like iMovie (for Mac), Windows Movie Maker (for PC), and OpenShot which is available for both Mac and PC.

Choose the one that you are most comfortable with and that fits your budget.

7. Social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)

Social media is a great way to promote your online business from home.

Create social media accounts for your business on all the major platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) and start posting content that will help you build an audience and drive traffic to your website.

Make sure to post regularly and interact with your followers to build relationships and grow your social media following.

When you post content, make sure to include links back to your website so people can learn more about your business and what you have to offer.

By doing this, you will be able to reach a larger audience and generate more leads and sales for your business.

8. A professional email address

If you want to be taken seriously as a business, then you need a professional email address.

You can get a professional email address through your internet service provider or by using a service like Google Business Email.

A professional email address will make you look more credible and will give people another way to contact you if they want to do business with you.

Make sure to check your email regularly and respond to any messages in a timely manner.

This is not really a tool, but more of a service. But it’s still something you need for your online business from home.

Having a professional email address is important if you want to be taken seriously as a business. Google Business Email is a great option for getting a professional email address for your business.

9. An email marketing service (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, etc.)

Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your customers and promote your online business from home.

It allows you to send newsletters, updates, special offers, and more directly to the inboxes of people who have signed up to receive your emails.

There are many different email marketing services on the market, so choose one that fits your needs and budget. I recommend Convertkit.

People are voting this tool up because it is very user-friendly and has a lot of great features, such as automation and tagging.

It’s also affordable, starting at $9/month for up to 300 subscribers.

10. A lead capture tool (like OptinMonster or LeadPages)

If you want to grow your email list, then you need a lead capture tool.

A lead capture tool allows you to create forms and popups that collect email addresses from people who visit your website.

Once you have their email address, you can add them to your email marketing list and start sending them information about your online business from home.

When choosing a lead capture tool, make sure it is compatible with your email marketing service and that it offers the features you need.

I recommend OptinMonster. It is a great lead capture tool that offers a wide range of features and integrations.

11. A live chat tool (like Zendesk Chat or Intercom)

If you want to provide excellent customer service for your online business from home, then you need a live chat tool.

A live chat tool allows you to chat with your website visitors in real time and give them the help they need.

This is a great way to build relationships with your customers and provide them with the support they need.

With so many live chat tool options available, it can be tough to decide which one is best for you. I use and recommend Zendesk Chat because it’s affordable and customizable.

12. A project management tool (like Asana or Trello)

If you want to be organized and efficient with your time, then you need a project management tool.

A project management tool allows you to keep track of all the tasks you need to do for your online business from home and helps you stay organized and on track.

This is a great way to get things done and avoid overwhelm.

There are many different project management tools on the market, so choose one that fits your needs and budget. I recommend Trello.

Trello is a great project management tool that is free to use for small businesses. It’s simple to use and helps you stay organized and on track.

13. A payment processing tool (like PayPal or Stripe)

Payment processor tools allow you to accept payments from customers for your online business from home.

If you become a seller on a platform like Etsy or Shopify, then you will need to use their payment processing tools.

But if you have your own website, then you will need to choose a payment processor that fits your needs. I recommend PayPal or Stripe.

Both of these options are affordable and easy to use. And they offer a wide range of features for businesses of all sizes.

I recommend having both because they each have their own set of features that can benefit your business.

For example, PayPal offers protection for buyers, while Stripe offers lower fees for businesses.

14. A social media management tool (like Hootsuite or Buffer)

If you want to save time and be more efficient with your social media marketing, then you need a social media management tool.

A social media management tool allows you to schedule and publish content, track your analytics, and more. This is a great way to grow your online business from home.

I recommend Hootsuite because it is affordable and user-friendly. It’s a great way to save time and get the most out of your social media marketing.

15. A website builder (like WordPress or Wix)

If you want to create a professional website for your online business from home, then you need a website builder.

A website builder is a tool that allows you to create a website without needing to know how to code.

You can use a website builder to create a simple website or a complex eCommerce store. I recommend WordPress or Wix.