BizBoost Start a Business · South Africa
Free · Step by step · Made for South Africa

Your dream business, one step at a time

Every business you see on BizBoost started as an idea someone believed in. Answer four quick questions and get your own plan, from testing the idea to your first customers, with a plain-language guide for every step.

Four quick questions

Your answers stay on your device. Change them any time and the plan updates.

What are you starting with?
How much money do you have to start?
Do you want to sell to government or big companies?
Will you hire people in the first year?

1. Shape your idea

Prove people will pay before you spend.

  1. Start lean and test your idea

    Find three paying customers before you buy stock or print anything.

  2. Find a manufacturer or supplier you can trust

    Samples before volume, and protect your design.

  3. Work out your price

    Cover your real costs and pay yourself, then add profit. Our free pricing calculator does the sums.

  4. Win your first customers

    Start with people who already trust you, and follow up.

2. Make it official

This is what makes customers, funders and big buyers take you seriously.

  1. Choose: sole proprietor or (Pty) Ltd

    Protect yourself, and know what each means for tax.

  2. Choose and reserve your business name

    Check it is free on CIPC and online before you print anything.

  3. Register your business with CIPC

    Quick and inexpensive, and it opens doors.

  4. Get your tax basics right

    Income tax, provisional tax, and when VAT kicks in.

  5. Get your free B-BBEE affidavit

    Big buyers will ask for your level. Small businesses do not pay for it.

  6. Register on the Central Supplier Database

    Free, and required before government can buy from you.

3. Get found and get paid

Customers can only choose you if they can find you, and trust you.

  1. List your business free on BizBoost and get verified

    Show customers you are real and registered, and get found by people searching for your service.

  2. Send professional quotes and invoices

    A clear quote wins the job; a clear invoice gets you paid faster. Make them free with our quote and invoice maker.

  3. Market your business for free

    Google, WhatsApp Business, reviews and referrals cost nothing.

4. Grow

You do not have to do this alone.

  1. Find funding that fits

    Grants, loans and what funders want to see.

  2. Get free mentoring and support

    SEDFA, the NYDA for 18 to 35, incubators and chambers.

  3. Hire your first employee the right way

    Contract, minimum wage, UIF, COIDA and PAYE.

  4. Look after customer information

    POPIA in plain language.

  5. Protect your brand

    A company name is not a trademark.

You don't have to have it all figured out

Most successful South African businesses started small: one skill, one customer, then the next. Take the first step today. And when you are ready to be found, list your business free: every listing is checked against CIPC, so customers know you are the real thing.

List your business free → Browse all guides