The complete step-by-step guide. From idea to ABN to first sale — everything you need to know.
Start Your Online Store on Shopify →Before spending a dollar, test your idea. Talk to 10 potential customers. Can you solve a real problem they'll pay for? The most common mistake is building before validating.
Validation Books →Sole trader (simplest), partnership, company (Pty Ltd), or trust. For most starters: sole trader to start, company when revenue justifies it. Talk to an accountant before deciding.
Structure Guides →Free at abr.gov.au. Takes 10 minutes. You need this before you can invoice anyone. If registering a company, use ASIC ($576 for Pty Ltd). Your ABN is your business identity.
Register ABN (Free) →If trading under a name different to your own, register it with ASIC. ~$42/year for 1 year, $98 for 3 years. Check availability first at asic.gov.au.
Business Setup Books →Keep personal and business finances completely separate from day one. Recommended: ANZ Business Essentials ($0/mo), CommBank Business ($0 for 12 months), or Xero Money (if using Xero accounting).
Finance Books →Every Australian business needs a website. Shopify is the easiest for e-commerce, WordPress for content businesses, or Squarespace for service businesses. Your domain is your address — get it early.
Try Shopify Free →Xero or MYOB from day one. Never use spreadsheets. You need to track income, expenses, and GST from your first transaction. Accountants charge less when your books are clean.
Accounting Guide →Public liability insurance is essential for any business with customers. Professional indemnity if you give advice. Product liability if you sell goods. Compare via comparethemarket.com.au.
Insurance Guides →The most important milestone. Your first customer validates everything. Tell everyone you know, post on LinkedIn, list on relevant directories, and ask for referrals from day one.
Marketing Guide →Document everything from the start. Write SOPs, automate repetitive tasks, and hire help before you need it. A business that can run without you is worth 3-5x more than one that can't.
Scaling Books →Shopify powers 4 million+ businesses worldwide. 14-day free trial, no credit card needed.
Start Your Store Free →