Starting a business doesn’t always require external funding, a fancy office space, or a team of developers. For bootstrapped startups and solo entrepreneurs running side hustles, the key to success lies in leveraging affordable tools that can help turn ideas into income-generating ventures. Online platforms now offer a variety of services that make it possible to launch and scale businesses at minimal cost.
TLDR: If you’re trying to start a side hustle or bootstrap a small business with minimal funds, there are a wide range of low-cost online tools that can help you build, market, and run your operations. From simple website builders to automation platforms, these services reduce the financial and technical barriers to entry. This article breaks down the best and most affordable platforms you should consider. With strategic use of these tools, you can efficiently grow your idea into a viable business.
Why Low-Cost Tools Matter More Than Ever
Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of believing you need a big upfront investment to build a business. But in the digital era, the real advantage lies in maximizing resource efficiency, not financial expenditure. If you’re bootstrapping, it’s crucial to keep overheads low and focus on rapid execution and validation of your idea. That’s where low-cost tools excel—they save time, reduce the need for technical knowledge, and allow you to stay agile.
Core Features of an Ideal Business Platform for Startups
- Affordability: Must cost little to nothing to start.
- No-code or low-code design: Enables non-technical founders to build and iterate quickly.
- Scalability: Offers plans or add-ons to grow as the business expands.
- Support and documentation: Resources that help you get the most out of the platform.
Top Low-Cost Business Makers to Consider
1. Shopify Starter / Shopify Lite – For Simple Ecommerce
Shopify’s more affordable plans—like Shopify Starter—offer a quick and easy way to launch a one-page store or integrate a shopping cart into existing platforms (like blogs or Link-in-bio pages). It’s ideal for creators and side hustlers looking to sell physical or digital products without maintaining a full online store.
Price: As low as $5/month
Best for: Direct-to-consumer product sales, influencers, creators
2. Podia – Digital Product Storefront with Built-In Email
Podia offers a seamless way to sell online courses, memberships, ebooks, and services. The best part? Even their free tier allows you to start with zero upfront cost, covering essentials like email marketing, landing pages, and digital distribution.
Price: Free plan available; paid starts at $9/month
Best for: Content creators, online educators, consultants
3. Notion – Build Tools Inside Tools
Notion has rapidly evolved into a powerful platform for creating customized digital workspaces. From building client portals to maintaining an internal knowledge base—even launching a lightweight productized service site—Notion makes it possible to operate an entire business system with minimal to no cost.
Price: Free tier available; paid plans from $8/month
Best for: Freelancers, coaches, agencies, side projects
Website and Landing Page Builders
4. Carrd – The $19 Business Hub
Carrd is one of the most cost-effective tools for creating beautiful, responsive landing pages and mini-sites. Starting at just $19/year, it’s perfect for lean startups needing a quick web presence without the overhead of full hosting providers or web developers. Integrations with forms, Stripe, and third-party tools make it surprisingly versatile.
Price: Free basic; Pro from $19/year
Best for: Coming soon pages, personal portfolios, micro-SaaS
5. Tilda – Design-Focused Websites Without the Code
Tilda is a relatively lesser-known competitor to website builders like Wix and Squarespace, but it offers advanced design flexibility without requiring custom code. A great balance between form and function, and at an affordable price too.
Price: Free basic; Pro plans from $10/month
Best for: Visual brands, product showcases, content-driven landing pages
Tools to Automate and Grow
6. Zapier – Glue for the Web
If you’ve ever thought “I wish this app could talk to that app,” Zapier is probably your best friend in automation. The free plan allows up to 100 tasks/month, enough for simple business workflows like lead collection, email sending, or syncing Google Sheets with your form responses.
Price: Free basic; Paid starts at $19.99/month
Best for: No-code automations, solo founders, system builders
7. MailerLite – Email Marketing on a Budget
For businesses that rely on newsletters, sales funnels, or nurturing leads through email, MailerLite offers a generous free tier with up to 1,000 subscribers. You also get access to landing pages, surveys, and automation workflows.
Price: Free up to 1,000 contacts; Paid plans from $10/month
Best for: Product launches, blogs, education businesses
Monetization without Inventory
8. Gumroad – Sell Anything, Anywhere
Gumroad has been a go-to for creators who want to monetize digital products like templates, videos, tutorials, and even subscriptions. There are no ongoing fees, just a small commission on each sale. You can start selling in minutes with no technical expertise or setup costs.
Price: No monthly fee; 10% cut per transaction for free accounts
Best for: Creators, authors, coders selling assets, freelancers
9. Ko-fi – Tips, Subs, and Digital Sales
Ko-fi allows fans and customers to support creators via one-time payments, monthly donations, or purchases of digital products. It’s customizable and doesn’t deduct platform fees on the free plan (excluding PayPal/Stripe fees).
Price: Free or $6/month for extra features
Best for: Content creators, writers, musicians, side hustle projects
Don’t Overbuild—Launch Lean
One of the biggest pitfalls for early-stage founders is overbuilding before validating a product or service. These low-cost platforms empower you to test your ideas rapidly, without putting your finances on the line. Whether it’s spinning up a landing page, creating an MVP, or automating some of your busywork, these tools make lean execution easier than ever.
Final Checklist for Bootstrapped Success
- Start with free or ultra-low-cost tools before committing to subscriptions.
- Focus on delivering value over aesthetics or excessive features.
- Validate demand before making heavy investments.
- Leverage community and free resources for learning and support.
Whether you’re just experimenting with a side hustle or laying the groundwork for your next big startup, these low-cost online platforms lower the barrier to entry and give you the tools needed to succeed without outside investment. Bootstrap smarter, not harder.