Starting a new business can be overwhelming, even more when you do not have the right startup tools to control and manage important processes. Let’s look at some essential startup tools that can boost your new small business.
Communication and networking startup tools
Internal and external communication is crucial to the success of a small business. And so, you need startup tools that will enable clear communication within your office as well as with your customers and contacts. You can start by switching to a cloud-based phone service provider, like unitedworldtelecom.com, to handle all business calls. Such a provider will let you connect with prospects beyond your physical location. Once that is established, you can look at other necessary startup tools for contact and networking, such as:
- Networking websites like LinkedIn: connect with job candidates, business partners, investors.
- CamCard: capture and store business card information on your smartphone.
- United World Telecom: connect with local and international prospects with an outbound calling service at reasonable calling rates.
- MeetUp: meet people with similar interests within your locality.
- Skype: connect with business partners and employees in different locations over video calls and group video calls.
- Google Hangouts: communicate with team members through chat, group chat, and video chat.
- Zoom: schedule and hold video conferences, meetings, and webinars.
Project management and collaboration systems
Use project management systems to ensure employees are able to track their activity and complete their tasks within the required time. Some useful startup tools include:
- Evernote: to manage ideas, lists, notes, etc., across different devices.
- Slack: message and connect with colleagues through this collaboration tool.
- Teamwork: create tasks, track progress, collaborate with other team members.
- Trello: use visual boards and lists, to prioritize and organize tasks.
- Basecamp: manage messages, schedules, to-dos on one platform.
While traveling for business
If traveling for business is a big part of your small business, then you need startup tools and apps to make trips less stressful. Here are a few:
- Gas Buddy: search through gas prices by city, state, type, and zip code.
- Expensify: track your personal and business expenses when traveling.
- TripAdvisor: access traveler reviews when planning your trip.
- Vacation Rentals by Owners (Vrbo) and Airbnb: look for rentals and vacation home options.
- Uber and Lyft: access local travel opportunities.
Content creation, marketing, and management
Marketing and content teams heavily rely on some of the following startup tools to optimize their websites and social media with the end goal of making more sales:
- Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides): create, share, and store content across different devices.
- Microsoft Office 360 and OneDrive: create, share, and store files and documents.
- Dropbox: store and share documents between team members.
- WordPress: self-host your website and blog and manage content.
- Google Analytics: measure marketing and advertising ROI.
- Google Adwords: create and post ads for your business and track ROI.
- Yoast: optimize your website with this WordPress plugin.
- HubSpot: learn how to execute strong inbound marketing and sales strategies.
- SEMrush: improve SEO for your website and social media with this intelligence suite that supports online marketing.
- Adobe Creative Cloud: use creative tools to develop images, graphics, and more.
- Canva: create graphics and images with this drag-and-drop online tool.
- Stock Photos: purchase high-quality photos to be used on your website or social media accounts.
Social media management startup tools
Manage multiple social media accounts for your small business and track analytics and metrics with:
- Hootsuite: schedule posts and track ROI.
- SocialPilot: increase brand awareness and traffic and schedule posts.
- TweetDeck: stay in-the-know and manage your Twitter accounts.
- Skitch: take and edit screenshots, add notes, sketches, and more.
Customer service and CRM startup tools
Providing good customer service is essential to the success of any business. If you don’t improve customer relations, then you will start losing customers. Here are some tools that can help you understand and interact with customers better:
- ZenDesk: provide customer support through this helpdesk software.
- SurveyMonkey: create and collect surveys from customers.
- Kayako: build strong relationships with customers through a unified customer service platform.
- BoldChat: customize live chat options for desktop and mobile visitors.
Experiment, improve, grow, repeat
Not all of these startup tools will change the way your business runs and make it instantly efficient. But the way to test them is by using them and seeing how your company and employees respond to it. Give your employees the tools they need to do their job well and reduce unnecessary hurdles. And before you know it, everyone will work in sync and your company will grow more successful.
