- PPF Points
- 5,064
When I launched my online business, I had more ambition than money. I didn't have a big marketing budget or a fancy website. I just had a few printed t-shirts, some branded shoes, and a Facebook Marketplace account. But even with limited funds, I found ways to grow. If you're wondering whether it's possible to scale an online business on a budget—yes, it absolutely is.
Here’s how I did it—and how you can too.
In the beginning, I couldn't afford a Shopify store or run paid ads. So I turned to free platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and TikTok. I used them daily to showcase my products, post customer reviews, and build trust.
One of my posts featuring a unique shirt design went mini-viral. That single post brought in more followers and customers than any ad I could afford at the time.
Referrals cost almost nothing and work better than cold ads, especially in the early stages.
I didn’t hire a designer or a social media manager. I used Canva to create my logos and promotional images. I watched YouTube videos to learn basic product photography using my phone and natural light. It wasn’t perfect—but it worked, and it saved me a ton of money.
One of the smartest things I did was team up with a local influencer who had a decent following but was also just starting out. I sent her one of my printed t-shirts for free, and she posted it on her page. That one post brought me more exposure than any paid campaign I tried. We both won—she got free merch, I got free promo.
I started collecting emails using a free tool connected to my Instagram bio. I would offer a small discount in exchange for signing up. Every week, I sent out updates, special offers, or style tips. This helped me build a relationship with my customers and get repeat sales—without spending a dime on ads.
Instead of splurging the moment I made a few extra bucks, I reinvested into better packaging, product variety, and a very basic website. Every dollar went toward things that would help me grow and serve my customers better.
Here’s how I did it—and how you can too.
In the beginning, I couldn't afford a Shopify store or run paid ads. So I turned to free platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and TikTok. I used them daily to showcase my products, post customer reviews, and build trust.
One of my posts featuring a unique shirt design went mini-viral. That single post brought in more followers and customers than any ad I could afford at the time.
After my first few sales, I kindly asked my happy customers to post photos and tag my business. Some did—and that brought in more orders. I even offered small discounts on their next order if they referred a friend.Referrals cost almost nothing and work better than cold ads, especially in the early stages.
I didn’t hire a designer or a social media manager. I used Canva to create my logos and promotional images. I watched YouTube videos to learn basic product photography using my phone and natural light. It wasn’t perfect—but it worked, and it saved me a ton of money.
One of the smartest things I did was team up with a local influencer who had a decent following but was also just starting out. I sent her one of my printed t-shirts for free, and she posted it on her page. That one post brought me more exposure than any paid campaign I tried. We both won—she got free merch, I got free promo.
I started collecting emails using a free tool connected to my Instagram bio. I would offer a small discount in exchange for signing up. Every week, I sent out updates, special offers, or style tips. This helped me build a relationship with my customers and get repeat sales—without spending a dime on ads.
Instead of splurging the moment I made a few extra bucks, I reinvested into better packaging, product variety, and a very basic website. Every dollar went toward things that would help me grow and serve my customers better.