The Ultimate Guide to Small Business Tools and Software
In today's fast-paced business landscape, working smarter, not harder, is the key to success. Small businesses, in particular, can greatly benefit from the right tools and software to streamline their operations. This comprehensive guide presents the 54 best tools and software solutions for small businesses, whether you're operating on a tight budget or ready to invest in premium options.
Why Small Business Tools and Software Matter
Small business owners understand that efficiency is crucial. The right tools and software can provide immediate, reliable, and secure access to vital company data and information, anytime and anywhere. But choosing the right ones can be a daunting task. Here's why investing in small business tools and software is essential:
1. Empower Team Productivity
Recognizing your team's potential to achieve great results is the first step toward selecting the right software and tools. Understanding each team's specific needs allows you to bridge gaps with solutions that encourage growth, communication, and collaboration, ultimately boosting productivity and performance.
2. Prioritize Teamwork and Efficiency
Scaling a small business requires a focus on teamwork and optimization. Small business software and tools are invaluable for handling everyday tasks, such as tracking employee productivity and performance, managing finances, and facilitating communication and collaboration.
The Benefits of Small Business Tools and Software
Running a small business is a team effort, and aligning your team's goals with your business objectives is essential for success. Here are the benefits that these tools and software solutions offer:
Productivity Enhancement
Productivity software and tools help teams work more efficiently, harnessing the power of momentum and conquering procrastination. These tools can significantly impact overall performance.
Automate Recurring Processes: Streamline routine tasks.
Optimize Teamwork and Performance: Enhance collaboration and task management.
Create Custom Digital Workflows: Tailor workflows to your business needs.
Improved Communication
Effective communication is the backbone of teamwork, and communication software and tools play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration, culture, and productivity.
Incentivize Meaningful Conversations: Encourage open dialogue.
Ignite Thoughtful Dialogue: Facilitate brainstorming and idea-sharing.
Encourage Deeper Engagement: Boost team involvement.
Drive Cohesive Decision-Making: Promote consensus-building.
Seamless Collaboration
Collaboration software and tools are essential for small businesses, especially those with remote teams. Modern collaboration solutions empower teams to work cohesively, regardless of their location.
Create a Network of Shareable Knowledge: Centralize information.
Facilitate Cross-Functional Idea Exchange: Encourage innovation.
Offer an Ecosystem of Shared Resources: Streamline access to essential assets.
Promote Team Alignment and Problem-Solving: Enhance teamwork.
Effective Marketing
Marketing software can transform a good marketer into a great one, providing valuable insights about customers and generating qualified sales leads.
Automate Scheduling: Efficiently manage appointments.
Build a Website: Enhance online presence.
Impact Employee Performance: Drive marketing efforts.
Organize Tasks and To-Dos: Stay on top of marketing campaigns.
Efficient Accounting
Modern accounting software simplifies financial management, allowing businesses to keep track of income and expenses without requiring financial expertise.
Track Revenue and Expenses: Maintain financial visibility.
Handle Taxes and Payroll: Ensure compliance.
Generate Custom Reports: Access insights.
Analyze and Forecast Finances: Plan for growth.
Streamlined Operations Management
Operations management software helps monitor employee engagement, quality control, and talent development.
Hire, Onboard, and Groom Top Talent: Build a strong workforce.
Establish Accountability and Align Goals: Drive performance.
Prioritize Support and Streamline Feedback: Enhance customer service.
Build Employee Confidence and Team Morale: Create a positive work environment.
The Best Small Business Tools and Software
Now, let's dive into the top 54 small business tools and software solutions to help your business thrive. Click on the categories below to explore each section, updated as of February 2020:
Productivity Software for Small Businesses
Email Management
Clean Email: Turn your inbox into an organized workspace.
Plans: Basic (Free), Pro ($9.99/month)
Time Management
RescueTime: Gain control of your workday.
Plans: Basic (Free), Premium ($6/month)
Workspace Organization
Shift: All-in-one app for productivity.
Plans: Basic (Free), Advanced ($99/year)
Scalefusion: Unified endpoint management solution.
Pricing: 14-day free trial, $2 - $6/device/month (annually billed)
Collaboration Software for Small Businesses
Project Management
ClickUp: All-in-one project management.
Plans: Free Forever, Unlimited ($5/member/month), Business ($12/member/month), Business Plus ($19/member/month), Enterprise (Contact Sales)
ProofHub: Powerful online project management and collaboration.
Plans: Basic (14-day free trial), Ultimate Control ($89/month), Essential ($45/month)
Communication Software for Small Businesses
Team Messaging
Flock: Business collaboration hub.
Plans: Basic (Free), Pro ($4.50/user/month)
Titan: Modern business email hosting.
Plans: Free 30-day trial, then $1.50/user/month
Neo: Customized professional email address.
Plans: Free 30-day trial, then $1.99/month
Productivity Software for Small Businesses
Process Automation
Zapier: Connect and automate your favorite apps.
Plans: Basic (Free), Starter ($20/month), Pro ($50/month)
Automate.io: Automate sales, marketing, and more.
Plans: Basic (Forever Free), Startup ($49/month), Growth ($99/month)
Scribe: SOP generator for streamlined processes.
Plans: Basic (Free), Pro ($29/user/month)
Scheduling
Calendly: Simplify meeting scheduling.
Plans: Basic (Free), Premium ($8/user/month), Pro ($12/user/month)
Doodle: Book meetings faster.
Plans: Starter ($4/month), Pro ($6/month), Team ($30/month)
Video Conferencing
Flock: Host online meetings with ease.
Plans: Basic (Free), Pro ($4.50/user/month)
Zoom: Popular video conferencing app.
Plans: Basic (Free), Pro ($15/host/month), Business ($20/host/month)
File & Document Manager
Google Drive: Cloud-based file management.
Plans: Basic (Free, 15GB), G Suite ($6/month, 30GB), Google One ($2 - $10/month)
Dropbox: Fast file sync and sharing.
Plans: Individual Plus ($10/month, 2TB), Individual Pro ($17/month, 3TB), Teams Standard ($12.50/user/month, 5TB), Teams Advanced ($20/user/month, Unlimited)
Note-taking Apps
Todoist: Organize and prioritize tasks.
Plans: Basic (Free), Premium ($3/user/month)
Evernote: Premier note-taking app.
Plans: Basic (Free), Premium ($8/month), Business ($15/user/month)
Marketing Software for Small Businesses
CRM Apps
HubSpot: Manage customer relationships effectively.
Plans: Various options
Zoho: Comprehensive CRM solutions.
Plans: Various options
Social Media Marketing
Buffer: Simplify social media management.
Plans: Various options
SocialBee: Optimize your social media strategy.
Plans: Various options
Email Marketing
Mailmodo: Powerful email marketing platform.
Plans: Various options
Saleshandy: Email tracking and automation.
Plans: Various options
Omnisend: Marketing automation for e-commerce.
Plans: Various options
Active Campaign: Email marketing and automation.
Plans: Various options
Design Tools
PicsArt: Creative design and editing.
Plans: Various options
Movavi Video Editor: Video editing made easy.
Plans: Various options
Tailor Brands: Create a brand identity.
Plans: Various options
Website Host / Business Name Generator
GoDaddy: Domain hosting and more.
Plans: Various options
Renderforest: Online video and logo maker.
Plans: Various options
Website Builder
WordPress: The world's most popular website builder.
Plans: Various options
AccessiBe: Web accessibility solution.
Plans: Various options
QR Code Generator
Beaconstac: QR code generator and more.
Plans: Various options
Accounting Software for Small Businesses
Bookkeeping
QuickBooks: Track finances with ease.
Plans: Various options
FreshBooks: Simple accounting for small businesses.
Plans: Various options
Payments
PayPal: Secure online payments.
Plans: Various options
Stripe: Payment processing made easy.
Plans: Various options
Invoicing
Xero: Beautiful accounting software.
Plans: Various options
Wave: Free accounting software.
Plans: Various options
Tax Filing
TurboTax: Streamlined tax filing.
Plans: Various options
H&R Block: Tax preparation made simple.
Plans: Various options
Operations Software for Small Businesses
Customer Service
Zendesk: Exceptional customer service software.
Plans: Various options
Help Scout: Help desk software for small businesses.
Plans: Various options
Contract Management
DocuSign: E-signature and contract management.
Plans: Various options
HelloSign: Streamlined document signing.
Plans: Various options
Performance Management
BambooHR: HR management for small businesses.
Plans: Various options
15Five: Employee performance management.
Plans: Various options
Recruitment
LinkedIn Recruiter: Find top talent on LinkedIn.
Plans: Various options
AngelList: Connect with startups and talent.
Plans: Various options
Learning and Development
LinkedIn Learning: Access thousands of courses.
Plans: Various options
General Assembly: Learn essential skills.
Plans: Various options
These small business tools and software solutions can transform the way you operate, enhancing productivity, communication, and overall efficiency. Choose the ones that align with your specific needs and budget to propel your small business to new heights.
