7 Tools You Need To Run Your Business
When you run a small business, you have to control everything, and you don’t have much support. But the right tools can help make running your business less stressful. Then, you can enjoy the process. Here are some tools to consider.
1. Email Client
As a business owner, you probably need to email a lot of people, from clients to team members. That means you need a good email client to help access your email. Google and Microsoft offer some of the best email clients, but you can use any program that fits your needs.
Consider where and how you plan to access emails. Then, you can make sure the provider you choose works on the devices you have. If not, you may want to consider another option.
2. Email Marketing
While you need an email tool to connect with people already involved in your business, you also need something for email marketing. Tools like MailChimp and ConvertKit let you create email lists and send emails to your entire list.
You can create a free offer or coupon code to convince people to join your list. Then, you can send newsletters each month or week to share updates and new releases. Someone on your list may decide to buy, so you can use your list to make more money.
3. Virtual Phone
Unless you have a huge budget, you may not want to pay for a separate business phone line. But you probably don’t want to give out your personal phone number. Luckily, a virtual phone app solves that problem for you.
There are tons of apps that act as a virtual phone with a second phone number. You can access the app on your main phone, and you can take calls and texts like you would with your personal phone. These tools can be cheap or even free, so you can protect your personal information.
4. Project Management
Another crucial tool for your business is a project management tool, like Trello or Asana. These tools let you create and manage your projects from ideation to completion. Whether you use the tool to track client projects or stuff for your business, you need something.
If you have employees, you can add them to the software. Then, you can share messages and assign tasks to certain people. Most of these tools also let you set deadlines and reminders. That way, you can make sure you get everything done.
5. Cloud Storage
If you do anything with documents or need to share files with others, you should use the cloud. A cloud storage tool lets you store and access files from anywhere. You don’t have to always use the same device for all of your work.
Instead of having to email files to people, you can send them a link to your cloud file. Then, you can share more files and do so in less time. And you don’t have to take up a ton of space on your computer’s hard drive.
6. Social Media Scheduler
Aside from email, social media is probably the best place to market your business. You can reach your ideal customers, and you don’t have to pay anything for the service. Whether you use Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, you will need to post regularly.
A social media scheduling tool can help you do this in less time. Instead of having to post in real-time, you can write out all of your content for the month or the week. Then, you can schedule it to post for you. That way, you don’t have to stop what you’re doing just to post something.
7. Accounting and Bookkeeping
Even if you have an accountant, you should use some sort of accounting tool, like QuickBooks. You can use the app or website version, and you can input your transactions. Then, you can see how much you earn and spend each month.
If you aren’t meeting your financial goals, you can know to change something. And if you’re surpassing your goals, you can make a bigger one to push yourself farther. Either way, tracking your revenue is crucial to keeping your business up and running.
Being a small business owner can be stressful, but some business tools can help. Keep these things in mind as you start and run your business so that you can save time and money.
