Starting an online business doesn't require a big budget — but it does require the right tools. When I launched MoneyWise Daily, a small shop selling budget trackers, planners and printable wall art, I had one rule: keep monthly costs as low as possible until the business pays for itself.
Here's the exact stack I use today, what each tool does, and what it costs to get started.
1. My store: Payhip
What I use it for: selling my digital downloads (Excel trackers, PDF guides, printable planners).
Payhip lets you sell digital products without building a full e-commerce site. You upload your file, set a price, and Payhip handles delivery, receipts and VAT for EU customers — which is a huge relief when you sell internationally.
Why I chose it:
- A free plan to start (you pay a small fee per sale instead of a monthly subscription)
- Instant, automatic file delivery
- Built-in discount codes, bundles and coupons
- Works with European payment processors
2. My email list: MailerLite
What I use it for: growing my email list with a free lead magnet and sending a welcome sequence to new subscribers.
Social media reach comes and goes. Your email list is the one audience you truly own. MailerLite makes it easy to build sign-up forms, landing pages and automated email sequences — without needing technical skills.
Why I chose it:
- Generous free plan for beginners
- Simple drag-and-drop editor
- Automations (like a welcome series) included
👉 Start your email list with MailerLite
3. My design tool: Canva
What I use it for: quick graphics, social media visuals and product mockups.
You don't need to be a designer to create clean, professional visuals. Canva's templates are a great starting point, and the Pro plan unlocks brand kits so all your visuals stay consistent with your colors and fonts.
Why I chose it:
- Thousands of templates for Pinterest pins, mockups and covers
- Brand kit to save your colors and fonts
- Free plan that's genuinely usable
4. My website hosting: Hostinger
What I use it for: hosting this blog.
A blog gives your business a home that you control — and a root domain is also required if you want to claim your website on Pinterest. Hostinger is one of the most affordable ways to get a fast, reliable site online.
Why I chose it:
- Low entry price, especially on longer plans
- Free SSL certificate included
- Beginner-friendly dashboard
👉 Get your website online with Hostinger
5. My traffic channel: Pinterest
What I use it for: bringing visitors to my shop and blog.
Pinterest isn't a social network so much as a visual search engine. People actively search for things like "debt payoff tracker" or "family budget template" — which makes it perfect for personal finance and printable products. Pins keep bringing traffic for months, unlike posts that disappear from a feed in hours.
My tip: create a free business account, claim your website, and post a few fresh pins every week rather than many at once.
(Pinterest is free — no affiliate link here!)
6. How I keep track of my own money
What I use it for: tracking income, expenses and savings for the business.
Running a small business means watching every euro and dollar. I use my own spreadsheet trackers to keep business and personal finances organized — it's exactly why I created them.
👉 Small Business Budget Tracker — track income, expenses and profit month by month
👉 Sinking Funds & Savings Goals Tracker — plan for taxes, equipment and slow months
What it all costs to start
| Tool | What it does | Starting cost |
|---|---|---|
| Payhip | Store + file delivery | Free plan (fee per sale) |
| MailerLite | Email list | Free plan |
| Canva | Design | Free plan |
| Hostinger | Website hosting | Low-cost paid plan |
| Traffic | Free |
You can launch with almost nothing except hosting, and upgrade each tool only once your sales justify it.
Final thoughts
The best tool stack isn't the most expensive one — it's the one you'll actually use consistently. Start lean, focus on creating products people need, and let your tools grow with your business.
Want to keep your business finances organized from day one?