Not every tech tool is right for every business. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of high-quality tech tools for entrepreneurs. As an entrepreneur yourself, you know the value of using the right tech when it comes to running your business. When you choose the right tech tools, they can save you time, money, and provide better communication across teams.
SEO
Whether they realize it or not, customers are searching for your business. It’s your job to help them find you. How? By harnessing the power of the algorithm. Ensure your website and landing pages reach the top of search results with these essential search engine optimization (SEO) tools.
Networking
Networking can bring you into contact with life-changing partnerships and opportunities. Grow your circle and discover what’s out there with these networking tools.
Security and Privacy
Businesses face greater security threats than ever—and confidential data (such as your customer’s private information) is at risk. Don’t treat protection as an afterthought. The following tools will help you balance security with productivity, so you can keep your and your customers’ data safe without sacrificing the necessary flow of information.
Accounting and Bookkeeping
Unless you’re a CPA, you probably didn’t get into business to work with financial information all day. And if you do do accounting or bookkeeping for a living, you’re probably going to need more than a pencil and paper. The following tools allow you to track income and expenses, create and send invoices, and file your taxes with ease.
Public Relation
Ah, public relations. If your business does PR well, it can become a beloved company—or at least one whose personality has earned a dedicated following (think of Wendy’s, for instance). If you manage the press and your public image poorly, however, your business will appear unkind, boring, out of touch, or—worst of all—invisible. Here are six tools you can use to monitor public sentiment, coordinate media communications, and build your reputation.
Project Management and Collaboration
Don’t let work about work overtake the work itself. Whether your business comprises a small team, multiple groups in multiple offices, or just one person (i.e. you), there are numerous solutions out there that will make project management and collaboration fast, easy, and—dare we say—fun. Here are our favorites:
Marketing and Social Media
Word-of-mouth marketing is the single most effective form of advertisement for a company, and providing a stellar customer service experience is key in creating loyal customers who recommend your business. However, other marketing and social media efforts can definitely be helpful in getting your name out there. Avoid agency costs and start spreading your own message with these marketing, advertising, and social media tools.
Design
Your business’s look and feel are more than aesthetic considerations. A well-designed logo, advertisement, piece of marketing content, or user experience delights your customers, ultimately boosting loyalty and generating more sales. Unleash your inner designer with these affordable (or free) tools.
Legal and HR
While it is a good idea to hire a qualified attorney for your business, there are times when it’s smarter (and cheaper) to do things yourself. In other words, you don’t need to bother your legal representative with every single piece of paperwork. And the same is true for human resources-related matters as well. Take a look at these tools before calling your lawyer or HR manager.
Asana
Another excellent organizational business tech tool is Asana. You can use it to track, manage, and organize the workflow within your company. This is especially beneficial when you run a remote company, as you can check in on what each team member is working on. Each project can be designated with a due date to keep everyone apprised.
MailChimp
The email marketing approach continues to be one of the most formidable ways to promote online businesses. If you are an entrepreneur, you need an email and marketing management system, and MailChimp is one of the most trusted. This tech tool offers robust reporting so you can get statistics and analytics on your email campaigns. You can also use it to test user engagement and make tweaks where necessary to boost conversions.
Hootsuite
Social media management has never been easier before the advent of Hootsuite, an online social media scheduling and management tool that most of the entrepreneurs around the world rely on. Take care of all your social media accounts from one platform and schedule multiple posts across these profiles.
Hootsuite optimizes the time of posting for maximum views and engagement. Posting at the right time can be a boost for your business, the converse of which will be a nuisance. To make a country-wide or worldwide impact customer engagement relies heavily on the timing of the post, and Hootsuite makes management easy.
Content and Video Creation
Content, particularly video content, is one of the most effective means of reaching your audience. As hours of footage get uploaded to YouTube every second, no business can afford to sit on the sidelines. Create eye-catching videos and other engaging content (hello, blog posts!) with these tools.
Time Tracking and Travel
Your time is a precious resource. Don’t take it for granted or let it go to waste. The following tools can help you organize meetings, track working hours, plan trips, optimize your and your team’s schedules, and more—all without consuming valuable time from your day.
General Business Information and Guidance
Business ownership can be a tough, unpredictable, and at times lonely experience. But no matter how isolated or overwhelmed you may feel, you’re never alone. Both the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE can put you in touch with mentors and other business owners, and provide you with the education, informational materials, and training (virtual and in-person) you need to succeed.
Content and Video Creation
Content, particularly video content, is one of the most effective means of reaching your audience. As hours of footage get uploaded to YouTube every second, no business can afford to sit on the sidelines. Create eye-catching videos and other engaging content (hello, blog posts!) with these tools.
Speaking of customer service, it’s a good idea to focus on that—perhaps even before you launch a concerted marketing effort. When used in tandem with a superb customer relationship team, these tools ensure you never miss an opportunity to forge connections with the people who matter most to your business. Wow your customers, and who knows? Word of mouth just might save you some money otherwise spent on a campaign.
Conclusion
There you have it: The tools you can use to stay productive, successful, and in control of your business.
Keep in mind that these tools are meant to bolster—not replace—the human element in your business. Your greatest resource are the human beings you choose to work with and for!