Although all of the suggestions above are valuable, I think it depends a lot on the products and services you intend to offer. If you're doing landscaping for people in your small town, for example, maybe the website isn't an urgent thing right away.

The key thing--and I guess I'm throwing the question back at the original poster--is to figure out who your customers are, what they want and will pay money for, and then what it takes to deliver that and sustain your operations at the same time.

For some, a cell phone and simple WordPress website will do. For others there could be substantial office equipment and a custom software development project. It's so hard to know without more background information.

I agree with Media Turbo.... I would start with the basic (computer, phone, internet, website, etc.) - depending on the business you may need other basic items.  However I think it is a great idea to wait before you over flow your office with items that you may not use enough to make it worth the while- of course, make sure that if you don't have it, you will be able to outsource somewhere else (Kinkos, etc.)  If it is critical for the business and you don't know how else you are going to get what you need, then best to invest in the item.

Speaking of websites. can online do it yourself sites work short term, and if not what can i expect to pay to have a professional compnay do it right

You can do it yourself, but for some people the learning curve is a bit steep. There are templates that you can use for your site, but this really doesn't take your own personal brand into affect. I would say that it depends on the image that you want to represent to your prospective clients.

If they see a cookie cutter website they might think that that's the kind of effort that you put into some projects. Image counts for alot, hence the reason we get all dressed up to go to work and spend countless hours grooming ourselves to be seen by other people.

As for the price it varies from company to company, and the features that you want on your site. Another aspect that you might want to consider is marketing that website. Having a website is nothing like the field of dreams movie "If you build it they will come".

There's a lot of competition out there so you need to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Sure they will come but you need to show them the way by SEO (Search Engine Optimization) & SEM (Search Engine Marketing) & other internet marketing.

Affordable Web Design

A website can be used like an information brochure to start with. You can keep priming it with information and redirecting clients to it.

The most important technology question is answered by asking how do I need to communicate with my customer and how do I need to fulfill my customer's orders.

At start-up, use the most simple means possible that are in line with your technology skills. More is less here, if you don't know what you are doing.

Teresa

http://www.SmarterLeap.com
Innovative business ideas for the serious entrepreneur

Having just started my business, here are three things I feel are important.  These are personal recommendations based on my startup experience.

1)  A Wordpress website - it's a little tricky to set up, but I really like the blog-focused website.  It's easy to update once you set it up, and people can see your blog immediately after going to the website.

2)  As much web-based software as possible - I am able to run my business 90% through on-line software.  This helps with data backup as well as being able to take a netbook when I travel and use my three-year-old laptop at home.

3)  A Google voice number - I like how I can look at my voicemails in a transcribed format and how I can choose which phones the number routes to.  This helps me protect my cell phone number.