Running a small business can be expensive as well as challenging, especially when it comes to managing your business finances and saving money. We live in an expensive climate currently, and it pays to look at ways to save money. With careful planning and smart strategies, small business owners can find many opportunities to reduce expenses and maximise profits. Here are some simple yet effective ways to save cash while running a small business.
Reduce Office and Equipment Costs
Office space and equipment are major expenses for many small businesses. Look for ways to cut costs in these areas:
- Consider coworking spaces or shared offices rather than leasing traditional office space. Coworking provides amenities and community at a fraction of the cost of renting an entire office. Research options in your area to find a space that fits your budget and needs. Tour the facility thoroughly before committing to ensure it will work for your business.
- Buy used office furniture and supplies instead of purchasing everything brand new. Check classified ads and auction sites for great deals on gently used equipment. Inspect used items carefully before purchasing to avoid buying damaged goods. Sanitise and clean used furniture to make it feel fresh for your office space.
- Lease or finance equipment like printers, computers and phones when possible. This spreads out upfront costs over time. Opt for shorter lease terms if you expect to upgrade equipment frequently as technology advances. Avoid rent-to-own leasing which often includes hidden fees and high interest rates.
- Renegotiate office leases and seek out lower rent as leases come up for renewal. A shorter lease term can also save money month-to-month. Research current market rates to benchmark pricing and negotiate from a position of knowledge. Consider offering small concessions like extra security deposit or longer notice periods to reduce monthly rent.
Conserve Resources
Utility costs, printing expenses and supply usage quickly add up. Adopt practices to conserve resources:
- Install energy-efficient lighting, programmable thermostats and insulation to reduce electricity and heating bills. Research rebates and tax credits for energy-saving upgrades to offset initial costs. Schedule a free energy audit to identify the most impactful areas for efficiency improvements.
- Go paperless by storing documents online to cut printing and paper costs. Set printers to default to double-sided printing. Digitise old paper records by scanning and shredding to further reduce filing and storage needs. Implement a policy for staff to think twice before printing any documents.
- Provide employees with refillable pens and pencils rather than disposable ones. Order office supplies in bulk and limit access to reduce waste. Encourage staff to reuse office supplies like file folders, binders and notebooks when possible. Monitor supply inventory and only order replacement items as needed.
- Shut down computers and equipment when not in use to save on electricity bills. Enable power-saving settings on devices to enter low-power sleep mode when inactive. Consider using smart power strips to cut phantom load from chargers and equipment in standby mode.
Leverage Technology
The right technology can help small businesses operate more efficiently and reduce many costs.
- Use free software like Google Docs instead of paying for Microsoft Office licenses. Rely on free online collaboration and storage tools, as well as important other tools like a PDF compressor that you will need to make PDF files smaller for email. If you need to use subscription software, look for ones that offer a free trial, so you can test them out before you buy.
- Automate tasks like accounting, inventory management and payroll processing to save time and avoid hiring additional staff. Look for apps that integrate with your existing software and hardware. Visit app marketplaces to find ratings and reviews from other small businesses. Start with 1-2 critical workflows before expanding automation more broadly.
- Host your website and use cloud-based services to avoid buying servers and IT infrastructure. Take advantage of free web hosting from providers like WordPress.com. Review the storage limits, security protections, and uptime guarantees before choosing a provider. Monitor page load speeds and downtime to ensure adequate performance. Switch providers if you encounter issues meeting business needs.
- Use email marketing services like MailChimp that offer free plans for small lists. It’s more affordable than complex CRM software. Import your contact lists to create targeted segments and campaigns. Design professional templates optimised for mobile devices. Track open and click-through rates to gauge engagement over time.
Negotiate with Vendors
Build relationships with vendors like suppliers, landlords and utility companies to negotiate better rates:
- Seek discounts for paying invoices early or committing to long-term contracts. Offer promotional opportunities to partner businesses in exchange for better rates. Highlight the additional exposure they will gain through cross-promotion. Provide metrics on increased customer reach from partnerships.
- Review agreements yearly and benchmark costs against competitors to get the best deals. Don’t be afraid to negotiate! Research alternative vendors’ pricing and service offerings in your area. Come prepared with competitive data to support getting a lower rate.
- Bundle products and services with the same provider to qualify for discounted packages and rates. Explore all bundling options when signing up for new services or renewing existing ones. Ask about any unadvertised bundle promotions not visible on their website.
- Consider switching vendors if another provider offers better pricing or benefits. Competition between vendors can get you cheaper costs. Set calendar reminders to evaluate other vendor options at least quarterly. Negotiate with your current provider before leaving, leveraging the competitor’s offer.
Minimise Inventory Costs
Carrying too much inventory strains cash flow and budget. Use these tactics to optimise inventory:
- Use a just-in-time ordering system to avoid stockpiling excess inventory that takes up space and ties up money. Track sales velocity and turn rates to refine your reorder points and quantities. Integrate your ordering system with your accounting software to automate replenishment based on dynamic safety stock levels.
- Store inventory in a small workspace to avoid costly storage fees. Minimise stock on hand through careful monitoring and lean ordering. Organise inventory to maximise vertical storage space via pallet racking and shelves. Consider centralising storage to a single warehouse if you have multiple retail locations.
- Negotiate minimum order quantities that match your usage so you don’t get stuck with obsolete extra product. Request exceptions from standard order brackets if your volume is less than supplier thresholds. Offer to compromise with slightly higher per unit costs in exchange for lower minimums.
- Sell obsolete, excess or showroom product samples through staff sales, eBay or discount retailers to recoup costs. Price items to sell quickly rather than maximising profit to avoid warehousing stale inventory. Group slow-selling products into discounted bundles or kits to increase appeal.
Take Advantage of Tax Deductions
Tax deductions provide excellent savings opportunities for small businesses. Ensure you leverage common write-offs like:
- Equipment like computers, furniture, vehicles and office supplies.
- Health insurance, retirement plans and other employee benefits.
- Travel, meals and entertainment for business purposes.
- Startup costs like trademark registrations, licenses and consulting fees.
- Home office space used for business purposes.
- Business use of personal vehicles based on mileage.
- Interest paid on business loans and credit cards.
Consult an accountant to identify all allowable tax deductions for your small business each year.
Final Thoughts
With planning and creativity, any small business can find ways to cut costs and operate lean. Tracking expenses, monitoring usage, leveraging technology and negotiating with vendors are all simple yet effective strategies to boost savings. Along with tax deductions and smart financial management, small business owners can achieve profitability goals while running cost-efficient operations.