Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship is a tricky business, but it’s also an exciting one. Over 90% of startups fail and SME failure rates aren’t that far behind, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking the risk.

Read the 5 mistakes startups often make

If you’re thinking about the entrepreneur life make sure you have everything ready to go. We suggest you start with technology. This tech checklist is built to make things simple and straightforward:

Update your website

Your website is everything for a new business, especially an online business. Take advantages of services like WordPress, Wix, Shopify, and others to build a proper website that serves your needs.

It would be wise to invest in building a proper website and taking your time to build the content. In fact, you can build a serviceable website for almost no money and that includes hosting as well.

A 101 guide to building your first website

Invest in a decent tablet

A decent tablet combines the best qualities of your smartphone (like the ability to video chat and send messages on the go) with the best features of a computer (storage space, and the ability to write a proper email (I see you guys with your ‘pardon the typos’ in your email signature). They’re also easier to carry than a traditional laptop and generally affordable.

What tools should every new entrepreneur use

Sign up for a LinkedIn Premium membership.

According to this study, 78% of new businesses believe networking is the key to success. LinkedIn has made it easier than ever to connect with prospective clients and influencers. Going Premium helps you expand your reach and effectively manage your profile to make it stand out in the crowd.

LinkedIn offers a one-month free trial to test it out, so it’s worth taking the time to research each and see which best suits your specific business needs.

Invest in cloud storage

You can never have too much storage space, so investing in good Cloud storage is important. There are numerous options from Google to Dropbox, just give it a quick comparison online and see what works best for you.

It usually isn’t that expensive and you can upgrade as you grow your business and your storage needs increase.

Get your taxes and finances in order

It’s also worth investing in a decent payroll service to help keep your books in check. Because one of the hardest parts of dealing with any SME or startup is having to worry about payroll, online tax services are a breath of fresh air. Services like Xero and Intuit, can help make your life much easier.

They automate a lot of the process and make it easier to manage it, even if you’re not really used to managing finances for a company.

Business cards aren’t dead yet

Who says business cards are dead? We’ve all been to meetings where we do the usual handing over of business cards, so don’t be left out of a rather important aspect of Southeast Asian culture. The name card exchange.

That’s where great services like Canva come in and you even use it for free. With a wide selection of professionally made templates, layouts, and fonts to choose from, you can up your business card game without having to worry about which font looks best on which type of parchment.

Stay organised and focused. Good luck

The digital age and fast data connections have made it easier to turn side hustles into full-time career opportunities, but make sure you do your due diligence before making the leap. After all, one of the main keys to success is in the details. These essentials make it easier to stay focused.