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For tech startup, the cost can be ZERO. Well, it depends if you know how to code or how to use free open-source tools to build something. 

Another way is to hire interns. In some countries like the US, interns can be not paid while some have internship laws such as France where cost-free interns can only work for a maximum of 2 months. Beyond that, it's EUR600 per month minimum, excluding taxes. 

Like Steven, I see nothing intrinsically wrong with having one company handling both aspects; a case could easily be made for the advantages.

A client of mine does exactly that–she runs the bookkeeping business and her partner the accounting business. The businesses are separate but linked. They would claim their clients enjoy: 1. faster processing times; 2. more knowledgeable consultancy; 3. greater contribution to business growth.

For myself, I have two separate firms performing these functions. And I run Xero myself, doing basic data entry which the bookkeeper checks each quarter and prepares the BAS. The books are then handed to the accountant each EOFY.

I suspect a majority of small businesses run this way. It's cost efficient, timely and accountable.

Running a business comes with a lot of expenses, but the good news is that many of these expenses are tax deductible (including bookkeeping which is part of the tax-related operating expenses category). These expenses are sometimes referred to as revenue or working expenses. Examples of bookkeeping expenses you may be able to claim include fees/costs relating to:

• Bookkeeping services to prepare your business records

• BAS and income tax return preparation and lodgement 

• Assessment appeals

• ATO audits (e.g. preparing your documents and representation on your behalf)

• Professional tax advice 

You can claim most expenses related to running your business if:

• The expenses were incurred in the corresponding financial year

•  They are directly linked to running your business

• The expense was for your business, and not for personal or private use (for any expenses that were for both business and personal use, you can only claim the part used for business purposes)

• You have records to evidence the expense (e.g. receipts, invoices, etc).

Of course, it’s always recommended to consult with a registered accountant or tax agent to get clarity on what you can and can’t claim in your income tax return. Many expenses are overlooked by business owners and they end up missing out.

You can get more info on tax deductible expenses on the ATO's website: https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Income-and-deductions-for-business/Deductions/Deductions-for-operating-expenses/

I think Mark has provide a well-written reply, but I'd like to add something else:

What do you want to achieve in the long run?

Both are quite easy to use (with Squarespace I believe a little more adaptable for beginners), but if in the future, you're planning to have a robust e-commerce platform selling hundreds of products, then Shopify my be your go-to. Compared to Squarespace, at the time of writing this post, seems to make it easier / more affordable to implement various payment options, such as multi-currency and Afterpay.

If you're looking for basic content or e-commerce (selling a handful of products), Squarespace, in my opinion, has been easier for beginning users with no experience making websites.

My view is the culture of any business makes it.

If you have the right culture with a market need then you will have a great company.

A culture that supports the goals and values of the company you will have a great business that has cients that are raving fans and will sell the business for you.

Infusionsoft is another - we use it successfully, still; be aware it is known as 'confusionsoft' by the majority of users

My biggest and hardest to follow rule it start small, validate ideas and experiment. All of these come from the Agile Marketing philosophy. Feeling creative and working on a huge project is something marketers really love, but it's not a sensible thing to do.  I've talked more about this in an article on Agile Marketing 
 

Hi,I personally think the decision would be very subjective. I am hoping my pointers below will help,1. Creating a new site is a hardwork from SEO perspective, it does help by having the site is a sister site.On the other hand, a 'sister' site with reference to the other successful website shows the business is growing and as we all know, people like to be involve with successful business.From SEO site, tho it is hardwork, it will be paid off, where having more than 1 strong websites is very advantages as they can support each other.2. Pointing a new domain to a existing cart, I'd say a faster to boost the new 'domain' and getting the new products off the ground since they will be in your existing successful website.From SEO perspective, I think you won't gain as much as another new site.From customer perspective, they may see another product in the shop instead of new business.Hope that helps,AdityaWeb Design Melbourne