It is important to stay up to date with the latest sales tools that can help your small business become successful. There are countless online tools that promise to increase your bottom line and productivity.
Competition is tough which is why you need to make intelligent choices and use tools that help you work smarter not harder .
With the rapid development in the digital world, hundreds and thousands of business- improving platforms and services are being launched in the market every day, making it really difficult to select the best. So, let us save you the time and hassle Here is a list of 11 of our favorite best tools that will take your business to the next level;
Collaboration Tools
1- Google Drive
Every small business needs a file storage app that all members of the team can easily access. Google drive does just that, but with added ease. It is a cloud based office suite with an inbuilt word processor (Google docs,) a spreadsheet feature (Google sheets,) a presentation builder (Google slides,) and a form creator known as Google forms. And the best part is that it is free! All these features and its user-friendly interface make it a popular choice among small businesses.
2- Asana
Asana is a relatively new project management tool that was launched by developers who used to work for Facebook. It is a huge to-do list program where you can set up tasks, sub-tasks, sections, projects and workspaces for your entire team.
It also has a unique ‘comment’ feature that allows you to communicate with your team far more easily and quickly than you can with email. The best part about using Asana is that you can even integrate it with other online tools.
It is a great tool for small businesses and it is free for a team of up to 15 people. After that, you have to pay per head.
3- Slack
Slack is a messaging tool where all your conversations happen in one place and can be segmented into ‘channels’ and direct messages. It is a great platform to keep all team members up to date, without the hassle of switching back and forth between emails or video chats.
Slack can also be integrated with a lot of other online tools , making it a favorite amongst many small business owners. Its basic version is free, but you can upgrade to its paid version which offers many more features.
Tools for Graphic Design
4- Canva
Canva is an amazing online graphic creation tool that is being used daily by hundreds of small business owners. It helps you design social media posts, marketing material such as brochures, flyers and pamphlets with the help of the many designs and themes to choose from. Their pre-designed templates are very aesthetically pleasing and you can also create your own designs from scratch if you wish.
5- Bigstockphoto
You can’t deny the fact that every small business needs access to a stock photo portal. BigStockPhoto by Shutterstock, is one such stock photo reservoir which is really affordable compared to other websites. Monthly subscription charges begin from 49 euros (just under 60 USD) with a limit of five images per day.
Customer Relation Management (CRM) Tools
6- Salesmate
Salesmate is a one-stop solution for an outstanding CRM software. It is especially designed for small businesses and can help you automate all of your sales processes easily.
Salesmate helps you save time through their carefully designed Sales Pipeline Template , automated data entry feature and customer profile enrichment. All these features will allow you to stay organized on a single platform, making it an ideal CRM tool for small business owners.
Social Media Management Tools
7- Buffer
You cannot underestimate the role of social media in the rise of a small business. This is why it is extremely important to stay at the top of your game.
Buffer helps you do that by integrating Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ for free and by upgrading to a paid version for both Pinterest and Instagram. It is a great tool for getting all your social media platforms synced and up to date.
Tools for Email Marketing
8- Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the most widely used email marketing tools nowadays. The fact that so many organizations use it makes it a trusted choice amongst small business owners.
Mailchimp’s user-friendly interface helps you send out promotion codes and newsletters in minimum time. It is free for the first 2,000 subscribers you get on your website.
Content Management Tools
9- WordPress
Without any doubt, WordPress is a great content management system on which to build your website. The best part about having a WordPress website is that you will find quick solutions to any technical glitches.
There is a huge community that is willing to advise and help out if you get stuck anywhere. The plugins allow you to customize your website according to the nature of your business, making it the first choice among many small business owners.
Security Tools
10- CyberGhost
All small businesses that are concerned about website security should look into Virtual Private Network (VPN ) services that can secure their online activity from potential threats.
CyberGhost is one such VPN system that is free of cost and comes with reliable connection and excellent security. These features make it a must-have tool for small business owners.
Accounting Tools
11- Wave
To keep all your books balanced, use an accounting software like Wave to make your life easier. Wave helps you scan your receipts directly into the system, allows you to create accounting, reports functionality and many other features that will help you with your bookkeeping.
We hope our carefully compiled list of useful tools will help you take your business to new heights! Did we miss your favorite business tool or resource? Share your valuable insight with us in the comments below.
ABOUT Erica Silva
Erica Silva is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs. Currently, she is associated with Airg Team for development work. Find her on Twitter:@ericadsilva1
