3 Tools to Power Your Online Course Business
3 of the most important tools you need in your online business
Starting a business can feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to managing your finances. If you’re a new business owner, you might be wondering:
- Do I really need a business bank account yet?
- Is accounting software worth it if I’m not making much?
- What do I actually need to keep for taxes?
The good news? You don’t need to be a “numbers person” to keep your business finances organized—you just need the right tools & habits in place.
In this post, I’m sharing three essential (and affordable) tools I recommend to every small business owner I work with. Together, they create a simple money system that will help you stay organized, save time, and make smarter business decisions from day one.
1. Relay – Online Business Banking That Actually Works for You
One of the first things you should do when starting your business—even before you make your first sale—is open a separate business bank account.
Why? Because mixing personal and business expenses can lead to messy books, stressful tax seasons, and even legal trouble if you're an LLC or S Corp.
Relay is my go-to banking platform for small business owners. Here’s why:
- โ Free to use (no monthly fees or minimums)
- โ FDIC-insured
- โ Open multiple accounts to follow a budgeting method like Profit First
- โ Set spending limits and issue team debit cards if needed
- โ Easy integrations with accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks
Relay is built for online entrepreneurs and remote business owners. You can open an account in minutes and never have to step into a bank branch.
Pro Tip: Even if you're a sole proprietor, having a separate bank account from day one sets the tone for smart money habits and makes tax prep so much easier.
2. Xero – Accounting Software That’s Actually Built for the Cloud
Let’s be real: spreadsheets can only get you so far. If you want to know how your business is doing (and make tax season less painful), you need an accounting platform.
Xero is my preferred software—especially for online and service-based businesses. It was built from the ground up as a cloud-based platform (unlike QuickBooks, which started as desktop software), and it’s:
- โ User-friendly and intuitive
- โ Cost-effective (starts around $20/month)
- โ Unlimited users—great for growing teams
- โ Provides strong user permissions and audit trails
- โ Integrates with platforms like Relay, Stripe, and Kajabi
- โ Amazing Customer Support—like really.
One feature I especially love? You can give your VA or team access to only what they need (like creating invoices or entering bills), while still keeping your books secure.
Bottom line: You’ll get better financial reports, catch problems faster, and spend way less time stressing about what’s happening with your money.
3. Hubdoc – Your Digital Filing Cabinet (That Works for the IRS)
The third tool in your money system is Hubdoc, a receipt and document storage platform.
Why does this matter?
Because your bank statements alone aren’t enough for tax compliance. The IRS wants to see proof—like receipts, invoices, and bills—for your income and expenses.
Hubdoc makes this easy:
- โ Snap a photo of a receipt on your phone
- โ Forward invoices from your email
- โ Automatically organizes files by vendor
- โ Syncs to Xero or QuickBooks and attaches documents to transactions
- โ Also integrates with Google Drive or Dropbox for easy backups
No more drawers of faded receipts. No more panic when tax time comes around. Hubdoc helps you build audit-proof habits from the start.
Bonus: If you use Xero, Hubdoc is included in your subscription - aka FREE!
So for as little as $20/mo, you could be managing your finances like a pro.
Here’s how the system flows:
→ Use Relay to keep business money separate and organized
→ Connect Xero to track income, expenses, and generate reports
→ Capture your receipts in Hubdoc so you’re audit-ready
This three-tool setup gives you:
- Financial clarity
- Less stress
- Cleaner books
- And more time to focus on growing your business
Just start now.
Even if you’re not making much yet, setting up your money systems now will pay off in peace of mind and smarter business growth later.
โ Open that business bank account
โ Set up basic accounting software
โ Build the habit of tracking receipts
If you ever decide to outsource, you’ll already have everything in place—making it easier (and cheaper!) to get help.
Want help getting started? Check out our DIY & Setup options >>
Make money simple—and build a business you’re proud of.