Every start-up needs to get the very best they can afford, but for the smallest possibly outlay. It’s a fact. When money and time are at a premium, small business entrepreneurs need to find the best software essentials for start-ups that work to the maximum, but don’t cost the earth. Here are eight of the very best.
- Trello
Think about Trello as ‘post it notes for the online generation’ it’s an easy way for team members to collaborate online. It’s quick, easy to navigate and gets the job done efficiently. New team members can quickly be added to notes and boards and it’s so simple to use that it takes no time to learn. Trello is pretty indispensable to any business from the ground up and is a useful tool for every aspect of day to day operations.
- Google Apps for Work
Google Apps for Work can be thought of as a one stop shop for all your online work needs and a handy digital raw materials inventory. Why? It has pretty much everything you need in one package, email, file storage, chat facilities, plus secure user authentication too. It’s perfect to build a small business infrastructure around. There are other competitors on the market like Microsoft 365 too, that are worth checking out for the same types of service if Google isn’t your go-to!
- MailChimp
MailChimp is something to consider if you’re engaged in a lot of email marketing and need a decent platform. It’s easy to use with a simple interface and can help a start-up develop a lot of leads and follow ups via emails campaigns, which is so important at the very beginning of a business (and just as important throughout!)
- Shopify
If you’re a small start up with a shop front, consider technology like Shopify to help you on your way to making conversions and gaining sales, as well as new leads. For web based retail it can be a real boon and also integrates well with many other apps and programs mentioned here for seamless continuation of business. For many start-ups it’s a breeze and a dream to use.
- HelpScout
HelpScout is worth considering if you have a customer service element to your business that needs to be monitored. It will assist in monitoring reviews, customer ratings and provide response times for dealing with customer queries so you can look at what needs to be improved and conversely, what is working well!
- Asana
A small team or start up that works remotely needs a good tool for project management. Asana is a tool that will help assimilate projects and provide an overview without employees needing to have conversations to keep things moving.
- UserVoice
Business owners often require customer feedback, and a god tool to provide and easy way to receive and assimilate what your customers are telling you is to try UserVoice. It’s a tool that will help gather, organize and respond to that feedback in a seamless manner. It also has a support desk built in, which makes it even easier to use for everyone.
- Searchmetrics
If you’re engaged in the world of content promotion or simply need a tool that will help you find where you are in the online world then Searchmetrics is for you. It allows you to see what type of content is ranking, and who is searching for it so that you can tailor your business accordingly.
