Services and Agency Startups

Startups listed here either won the free throw or have an active Promoted listing, and a person reviews every one. Promoted listings are labeled and are paid placements, not endorsements.

Services startups and agencies sell expertise by the project, the hour or the retainer: consulting, design, development, marketing, coaching and professional services. They are among the cheapest businesses to start, because the product is your skill and you can be paid before you spend.

The trade-off is that revenue is tied to your time unless you build systems around it. The guides below cover starting with little money, winning your first clients, and the structure and paperwork that protect you as you take on more work.

Listings

Key terms for services and agencies founders

• Bootstrapping
• LLC
• Operating Agreement
• Customer Acquisition Cost
• Go-to-Market Strategy

Guides worth reading

• Business Ideas With No Money: How to Start From Zero GuideBusiness ideas with no money: service-first models you can sell before you spend, how to get paid in advance, and the paperwork you still cannot skip.
• How to Get First Customers: 10, then 100, Without a Budget GuideHow to get first customers for your startup: find early adopters, run cold outreach, do things that don't scale, and reach 10 then 100 with little or no money.
• LLC vs C Corp for Startups: How to Choose GuideLLC vs C corp for startups: how each is taxed, what investors expect, why Delaware is common, and what to ask your lawyer and accountant before you file.

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