PC World features Grasshopper - How to Start a New Business on the Cheap, Part 2

Earlier this week I gave you three keys to starting a business on a tiny budget. That first post focused on planning, fundraising, and office space. Now let's look at the second half of the equation: marketing the new venture and operating it on the cheap.

THE MARKETING

To win in today's startup world, you need to leverage social networks—namely Facebook and Twitter. Start by turning your personal Facebook page into a business page, which, thanks to new Facebook tools, takes all of a few clicks.

When you're ready to turn that page into something slick and professional-looking, services like Pagemodo can help you build custom Facebook pages for less than what you spend on your daily coffee and muffin.

As for Twitter, LinkedIn, and the like, check out these real-world ways social networks can build your business. Need proof that this stuff actually works? Here's a Facebook success story worth reading.

If you need marketing materials—a company logo, a Web site, business cards—you can enlist a small army of professional designers to work on your project, but pay for only the one you like best. (I agree: this sucks for the designers, but if you have a limited budget, it's a hard option to pass up.)

THE PHONES

Google VoiceTalk is cheap—until you get the bill for your business phone service. But what can you do? Every business needs at least one phone line, if only to field sales and/or service calls.

Start with Google Voice. It not only assigns you a new local number, but also routes calls to any and all existing lines you might already have (home office, mobile phone, etc.). It also provides voicemail that you can share, download, and receive via e-mail as transcribed text. And it's free! Here are 10 ways to make the most of Google Voice.

If you need something a little more business-savvy, voice-over-IP services like Grasshopper and Phonebooth offer features like auto-attendants, unlimited extensions, a toll-free number, and cheaper-than-the-telcos outbound calling.

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