How to Start a Tech Business Step by Step (Beginner’s Guide with Humor)
For Beginners Who Know More About Memes Than Machines (And That’s Okay)
So, you’ve decided to start a tech business. Congrats! You’re officially joining the proud lineage of people who Googled “how to start a tech company” and got overwhelmed by photos of Steve Jobs in a black turtleneck. Don’t worry—you don’t need a garage, a hoodie, or a complicated relationship with coffee.
Table of Contents
When I first dipped my toes into the tech world, my “office” was my mom’s dining table, my “team” was just me and an overworked laptop, and my “investor” was a half-empty jar of instant coffee. If that’s you right now, you’re in the right place.
Let’s break it down step by step—with jokes, truth bombs, and the occasional meme-worthy metaphor—so you can go from “What’s a startup?” to “Where do I park my yacht?”
Step 1: Have an Idea (That Doesn’t Suck)
Alright, here’s where 90% of future tech millionaires stumble: the idea. This isn’t just “I want to build an app.” That’s like saying, “I want to write a book.” Cool… but about what?
What Makes a Good Tech Idea?
- Solves a real problem—not just your weird pet peeve. A problem real humans have.
- Has a target audience—if it’s for “everyone,” it’s for no one. Get specific.
- Is feasible—you can’t invent teleportation. Yet.
Example:
- Bad idea: An app that only works on Tuesdays and only sends emojis in Morse code.
- Good idea: An app that reminds remote teams to take breaks, preventing burnout.
Truth time: I once pitched an app that tracked how long people napped. My logic? “Nap accountability will change the world!” Spoiler—it didn’t. Turns out, nobody wanted to be reminded they were lazy.
Bonus tip: If you’ve ever said, “Why hasn’t anyone built this yet?”—that’s your cue. Validate it, but don’t marry it until it proves it’s worthy.
(Related read: What is WordPress?)
Step 2: Research Like a Nosy Neighbor
You’ve got the idea. Now, dive deep like you’re investigating your ex’s new partner. Don’t skip this—it saves you from future facepalms.
What to Research:
- Your competitors – Who’s already doing it? Are they thriving or barely surviving?
- Your audience—What do they need, want, or Google at 2 a.m.?
- Trends—Is your idea riding a surge or digging a grave?
Tools to Help:
- Google Trends (because stalking your idea is legal here)
- Reddit (a.k.a. The Internet’s Raw, Unfiltered Opinion Buffet)
- Product Hunt (what’s hot and what flopped)
Personal note: I once researched an idea only to discover three well-funded startups were already doing it better than I could. That was my first hard pivot—and honestly, it saved me months of wasted effort.
Reality Check:
If your idea already exists and is backed by Elon Musk’s money… you may want to pivot.
(Related read: Beginner-Friendly SEO Tips)
Step 3: Choose the Right Tech (Not the Shiny One)
Ah yes, the “stack.” That word makes non-techies sweat. But it’s just a fancy way of saying, “What tools will power your Frankenstein creation?”
Common Tech Choices:
- Website? Use WordPress or Webflow.
- Mobile app? Consider React Native or Flutter.
- Backend? Node.js, Django, or Laravel. (Sounds like Pokémon, but trust me.)
When I first started in 2014, I spent three days trying to install a coding framework, only to realize I didn’t even need it. Lesson learned: pick tools for function, not for bragging rights.
Don’t Do This:
Don’t use AI, blockchain, machine learning, and VR just because they’re trending. That’s like putting every topping on your pizza and wondering why it tastes like regret.
Pro Tip: Start simple. Your goal isn’t to be fancy—it’s to get something that works, even if it’s held together with digital duct tape.
(Related read: What is Wix Web Builder?)
Step 4: Build a Prototype (AKA, the Ugly Baby Stage)
Now it’s time to build your Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Yes, it sounds like a sports award, but in tech it means “the simplest version of your idea that still kind of works.”
During 2015, my first prototype crashed so badly that it displayed error messages in what looked like ancient Greek. For a moment, I thought I had accidentally broken the Matrix.
Why Build an MVP?
- To test your idea fast
- To get feedback before you waste time/money
- To make your mom proud (and confuse her)
Tools to Build It:
- No-code platforms like Bubble or Glide
- Mockup tools like Figma
- Freelancers on Fiverr or Upwork (because not everyone has a coding cousin)
Step 5: Get Feedback (Not Just from Your Dog)
Your dog thinks everything you do is brilliant. Your best friend says, “Wow, cool!” and moves on. But what you really need is raw, brutally honest, and maybe-a-little-roasting kind of feedback.
True story: I once gave my app to a friend, and he broke it in 30 seconds. Painful? Yes. Helpful? Absolutely. That bug report saved me from embarrassment on launch day.
Where to Get Feedback:
- Online communities (Reddit, Indie Hackers, Discord groups)
- Twitter (if you dare)
- Potential users—give them early access, even if it’s still glitch
Step 6: Create a Business Plan (That Doesn’t Make You Yawn)
Okay, it’s time to get slightly boring. You need a business plan. But don’t worry—this isn’t a 60-page thesis. Think of it like a roadmap, not a novel.
Confession: my first business plan had “make money somehow” as my revenue model. Let’s just say, investors don’t love that.
What to Include:
- The problem you’re solving
- Your solution (your idea!)
- Target audience (be specific!)
- Revenue model (how you’ll make money, legally)
- Marketing plan (more on that later)
- Budget (don’t cry)
(Related read: How to Advertise a Website)
Step 7: Legally Start the Business (The Adulting Part)
Time to make it official. You’re not just playing entrepreneur—you are one now.
When I registered my first business in 2015, I spent hours trying to figure out the difference between LLCs and sole proprietorships. By the end, I had 15 browser tabs open and a splitting headache.
What You’ll Need:
- Register your business—LLC, sole proprietorship, etc. (depending on your country)
- Get a business bank account—No, your personal PayPal won’t cut it forever.
- Trademark your name (optional, but smart)
- Terms & Privacy Policy—You’re dealing with data, friend. Get compliant.
Bonus: Use Stripe Atlas or LegalZoom to make this easier than explaining TikTok to your grandparents.
Step 8: Market Like a Meme Lord
You built it. Now what? If you expect people to magically find your app, you’re dreaming harder than a cat with a laser pointer.
My first attempt at marketing? I tweeted about my app and got exactly… one like. From my cousin. Humbling, but hey—it was a start.
Marketing Tactics:
- Content marketing – Blogs, tutorials, videos (be useful!)
- Social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, Threads (yes, even that)
- Email lists – Start collecting emails on Day 1.
- Launch sites – Product Hunt, BetaList, Indie Hackers
(Related read: Beginner-Friendly SEO Tips)
Step 9: Make Your First Sale or Get Your First User
This is the moment. The champagne pop (or Fanta, if you’re broke).
My first user wasn’t even a stranger—it was my neighbor, who only signed up because I offered to fix her mobile phone. But still, it counted.
Track Everything:
- Where did they come from?
- What did they click?
- Did they survive the signup process without rage quitting?
Step 10: Improve, Iterate, Don’t Hibernate
Now the real work begins. Yes, it gets better. But also messier.
I once released an “update” in 2023, that broke half my app. Cue a week of panicked bug-fixing fueled by coffee and regret. Moral? Small updates beat massive overhauls.
Final Thoughts: You’re a Tech Entrepreneur Now (No Hoodie Required)
Starting a tech business isn’t about being the next Zuckerberg. It’s about solving a real problem, helping real people, and maybe*—just maybe*—making real money.
Will you hit bumps? Oh yes. Could your app crash mid-demo? Definitely. Will people misunderstand your idea? Absolutely.
But you’re doing it. You’re in the arena. You’re not just dreaming anymore—you’re building.
And if you need more beginner-friendly guides, check out:
- How to Host Your Website on Cloud Hosting
- What and How to Design UI/UX
So keep going. One bug fix, one customer, and one hilarious tweet at a time.
Now go out there, you future tech wizard. Get ready to reign over your app-tastic, API-fueled acronym jungle!
Hi, I’m Prince Stephen Mordi, the mind behind Voob.com.ng. I write simple, beginner-friendly guides on tech, blogging, and making money online. My goal is to help you navigate the internet without headaches—because tech doesn’t have to be complicated!
