Bootstrapping can be super rewarding, but also super stressful at times so here are a few things I have learned long the way. Also, why do people call it bootstrapping?
Use Free Tools
Utilize free tools as much as possible. In the early stages, spending money on tools that don't have a direct impact on your idea or business doesn't make sense. There are numerous powerful tools available at no cost that can be very effective in the early stages. I only pay for a few select tools that I believe are worth it, including a website hosting platform, Make (for automation), ChatGPT, and an email-sending platform.
Leverage Automation
Automate tasks that are repetitive and don't require much thought. Doing so allows you to focus on more important activities and indirectly saves you money.
Spend on Things that Make an Impact
Early in my journey, I spent money on minor improvements that didn't significantly impact the business. I invested in things like visual design tweaks, backend GPT improvements, upgrading categorization, and adding features that were never used. This taught me that the things you think are worth spending money on often don't help your business.
Use No-Code Tools
If you're not a developer like me, consider creating an MVP with no-code tools to test the market for your product. No-code options are powerful and can help you achieve a lot. Tools like Webflow, combined with Zapier or Make for backend operations, can be very effective.
Invest in Areas Where You Need Improvement
I believe that if you struggle with something, the time it would take to learn that skill from scratch often isn't worth the return. Instead, focus on your strengths to make a bigger impact. If you find someone skilled in an area you lack, hiring them can be worth the cost. After they've done the work, analyze their approach, solutions, and methods to learn from them. It's much easier to learn from an expert, and paying for their expertise is often the best way to gain access to their knowledge.
