How to Start a Successful Software Business in 6 Simple Steps

Do you want to enter the tech industry but don’t know how to start a successful software business?

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or an ambitious investor, starting a successful software business isn’t a piece of cake because the competition in the tech market makes it a tight race to establish a booming business.

Fortunately, you can make it happen by learning the basic steps, having enough knowledge, and putting in hard work.

In our article, we’ll tell you how.

How Profitable Is Owning a Successful Software Business?

The software business is an ever-expanding market, it’s expected to reach a market value of over $812.9 billion in 2027.

Despite the immense competition and high entry barriers, the software industry is lucrative and has an excellent profit margin.

For startups, you can start your small software business with a budget of $3,550 and up to $8,100.

It depends on many factors, such as the type of industry, the size of the company, and the number of employees.

When it comes to revenue, the sky is the limit if you have a successful software business.

Developing one handy tool can take your business to the next level and expand your client base by millions.

In numbers, software publishers have an average annual pay of $96,388.

This revenue comes from product sales, advertising, client retention, and more.

It’s worth noting that these numbers are only going up.

Since artificial intelligence and machine learning are on the rise, the demand for software companies is increasing too.

The market value of AI software is currently at $138.4 billion, and experts think it will reach $1,094.52 billion by 2032.

Software developers earn around $95,218 per year in the USA. That’s why becoming a software developer is one of the most lucrative careers.

What You’ll Need to Start a Successful Software Business [& Associated Costs]

Here’s an example of what you need to start a software business and a rough estimate of the costs:

• Choosing a business name and setting up the company: $175
• Insurance: $500-750 per year
• Marketing, business cards, and brochures: $250
• Setting up a website: $2,000
• Licenses and permits: $200
• Software expenses: $3,000

1. Setting up the Company

First, you must create something that solves a common problem.

While this may sound easy, many businesses have failed because they aimed to create something cool rather than focusing on the users’ major problems.

Depending on the type of software you want to create, you should do extensive market research to understand your target audience and their problems and needs.

Next, you should identify a business model that works for your service.

Creating a successful business model is vital for selling your product and sustaining your company.

Depending on your product, you can choose between various business models. That includes SaaS, freemium, and licensing models.

2. Insurance

Like other businesses, software companies must get business insurance to operate safely. It’s also a law requirement in many states.

Most tech companies opt for Cyber Liability Insurance to protect themselves from data breaches and other cyber threats.

Meanwhile, small businesses are required to get General Liability Insurance to start their business, which costs around $30 or less per month.

3. Marketing

Depending on your product and target audience, you should choose a marketing strategy that works best for your business.

As such, it’s difficult to say how much you should spend on marketing.

Marketing strategies such as social media marketing, business cards, brochures, press, and customer research are all viable options.

4. Website and Software Expenses

Websites are the new storefronts for small businesses, and when it comes to software, your company’s website must be top-notch.

Other software like file hosting services, E-mail marketing tools, and project management software are also essential in the tech industry.

They do all the necessary routine work to save you time for the heavy lifting.

Do I Need a License or Certificates to Start a Successful Software Business?

Like every small business, software companies require state permits and licenses to operate lawfully.

Why You Should Consider Starting a Successful Software Business As a Side Hustle

Software companies have immense success potential.

Even the most successful companies in the world started as small tech startups.

Google, Amazon, and Facebook started small and have grown into multi-billion dollar companies.

Other reasons you should consider starting a software business as a side hustle include the following:

• Measurable success: unlike other businesses, software companies usually have enough metrics to give you accurate insights into your performance, revenue, and growth rate
• Sky is the limit: software businesses have the potential to generate billions in revenue with a single innovative product or service
• Low startup cost: software companies don’t require much to get started. For instance, you can start without spending money on infrastructure, office space, and physical barriers
• You can easily attract investors: with a unique idea and a clear market need, you can attract investors who’ll help you scale your business

How to Start a Successful Software Business in 6 Simple Steps

If you’re willing to start your software business, you need more than innovative ideas and money.

It can be daunting to start, but once you have a clear plan, it’s much easier.

We provided a step-by-step guide on how to start a successful software business, let’s see how!

Step 1: Create a Business Plan

A concise business plan is essential for the success of any company.

It will help you figure out how to spend your time, effort, and money in the right direction.

1. Have a unique idea that will solve a problem in the market
2. Determine your target audience and study their demands
3. Choose the best way to charge your customers based on your product ( Licensing, freemium, SaaS)
4. Brainstorm a catchy, short, and relatable name for your business

Step 2: Create a Business Structure

Sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, and corporation are the most common business structures.

Choosing the business structure might be tricky, but it’s vital to prevent holding yourself personally liable for any business problems or debts.

1. Opt for the most suitable business structure for your company depending on your wants, needs, and goals
2. Form an LLC yourself or hire a business LLC service to take care of the paperwork
3. Hire a registered agent for your LLC or act as your own

Step 3: Apply for Taxes

As a business owner, you must register for state and federal taxes before starting your business.

1. Get your EIN for free on the IRS website via E-mail or fax
2. Research your government’s criteria for software businesses, such as employee requirements
3. After getting your EIN, the website will guide you through registering with the appropriate government revenue agency

Step 4: Set up a Business Bank Account

To control your finances, you should have a business bank account and credit card.

You should never mix your personal and business funds, even if you have a sole proprietorship.

1. Submit a copy of your equity and operating agreements, articles of incorporation, social security card, and the EIN letter from the IRS.
2. Shop around for the best bank that fits your business needs. Consider factors like introductory offers, transaction fees, interest rates, and minimum account balance
3. Get a business credit card to avoid mixing your business expenses with your personal spending

Step 5: Apply for Necessary Licenses and Permits

Every state is different, so check your local requirements for licensing, permits, taxes, and liability insurance.

1. Contact your state clerk’s office and describe your business to get an idea about the required local licenses and documents
2. Since software companies usually run through offices, you’ll need to apply for a Certificate of Occupancy

Step 6: Get a Business Insurance

To operate safely and lawfully, your software company needs business insurance.

Different small business insurances cover various lawsuits, accidents, and other potential losses.

For software companies, here are the business insurances that make sense:

• General liability insurance
• Errors and omissions insurance
• Cyber liability insurance
• Worker’s compensation insurance
• Fidelity bonds

Now you should be ready to start running your software business. Start by defining your brand and how it benefits the customers.

Then, create a website to start attracting customers.

Things to Consider When Building a Successful Software Business

Even though building a software company is a promising idea, there’s always a risk that you don’t meet your expectations.

But you can reduce it by considering some factors.

Can You Run a Successful Software Business by Yourself?

If you have enough expertise and skills, you can, but it’s not always the case. Why?

Let’s say your company sells a simple tool that helps clients manage their accounts. In that case, you might be able to run it on your own.

In other scenarios, your company might offer complex services that need to be managed by a team of experts; in that case, you should hire a team.

Are You Patient Enough for a Long-Term Business?

In the tech industry, you hear stories about companies that attracted millions of customers in a few months.

While fast growth is possible, it shouldn’t be your main concern.

Consider the negative stories too. Some companies had immense growth in a short time and ended up closing in a few months.

We’re not trying to sound negative, but building robust software takes time.

That’s why you should have a long-term mindset to prevent yourself from burning out early.

Do You Have a Suitable Workforce?

One of the challenges that face software companies is hiring a decent workforce.

Take your time to find people that aren’t only qualified, but match your company values, ideas, and strategy.

It’s also critical that you invest in training and developing your employees’ skills to keep up with such a fast-paced industry.

Inspiration: Successful Software Business Ideas

If you’re struggling to come up with an idea for a new business, we suggest looking at these software business ideas.

• Medical Software: The medical industry is ever-growing, and the demand for software to help with patient care is also rising. Hospitals, medical centers, and healthcare providers are all turning to customized software to help with billing, insurance, tracking patient profiles, and more.
• CRM Software: CRM software is essential for new startups and small businesses. The software aids in tracking customer interactions, sales, marketing, and automated tasks.
• ERP Software: ERP software helps companies manage their business operations by managing inventory, tracking sales, and keeping data in one central location. It also uses analytical tools to help with decision-making, saving time and energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Businesses to Consider Starting

Whether you’re looking for a new full-time job or a side hustle, there are a lot of businesses you can start.

If you have experience and knowledge, you can work as a freelance web developer.

You can also make money online doing much easier tasks, like getting paid to read books.

Some audiobook creation platforms pay readers to listen to books and review them.

Here are some of the best work-from-home jobs:

• Web Design Business: The industry is thriving and promising. There’s still tough competition, but you can still succeed if you understand how to start a web design business.
• Virtual Assistant Business: Want to ditch your 9 to 5 job and make income working with flexible hours? Learn how to start a virtual assistant business.
• Consulting Business: If you want to be your own boss while making money, learn how to start a consulting business.

Wrapping Up

Learning how to start a successful software business isn’t a walk in the park.

Technical knowledge, business skills, and investment are all essential for success.

Since many startups focus on the technical aspect, sometimes they neglect the significance of protecting their business.

That includes everything from licensing their company and getting insurance to creating a successful business plan and hiring the right people.

We hope our guide helped you understand how to start a software business.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments section below and share the article with anyone who might benefit from it.