Starting a business may just be a dream, and it requires not just commitment on your part, but also investing in the right things. Being your own boss means being a savvy decision-maker, and you need to decide on the right tools that will help your business skyrocket. However, you are only starting, and you might not have an idea of the best tools suited for your business. Especially if you didn’t go to business school, you will likely need help. We live in a technology-driven world, so most of the tools you will be using will involve software and the internet. A business is a multifaceted endeavor that involves not just the production of goods and services, but also marketing, advertising, and the management of employees.
The following are some of the essential tools needed when starting your own business:
1. A Tool That Lets You Know Your Website’s Performance
Most businesses will have a website, and you should, too. A website is essential for reaching out to a whole lot of audience. Of course, your website can’t just exist in a vacuum. It must perform. Google Analytics is a tool that helps you know how your website is performing. It helps you analyze your traffic and lets you discover where your traffic is coming from. It also lets you analyze your audience based on their demography. Google Analytics is a statistical tool that helps you analyze all sorts of information, including the countries your website has been seen in. Its interface is also simple and easy to understand, so even the least tech-savvy person will have no problem figuring it out.
2. Improved Technology On How You Manage Documents
If you still manage documents using the hard copy, you have to upgrade. File your documents away in doc format using a document management tool like EchoSign. This tool will store all your documents on a computer so you won’t have to use filing cabinets, scanners, and printers. You can simply send over any document you need to clients and have them electronically sign it. This tool helps you save on money while improving your process.
3. A Virtual Briefcase
Dropbox is a tool that allows you to store files of different formats. Whether you are using documents, video files, or image files, Dropbox can help you stay organized. This tool also helps you access your files from different devices because of its cloud saving capability. You can also personalize folders and documents. What’s best is that you can share files with other users instantly so you won’t have trouble exchanging files with clients and employees.
4. A Website-Building Software That Promises No Coding
You will need a website, but how can you possibly start putting it up? If you are not tech-savvy, chances are you will get confused form all the coding. Get a website-building software that gives you less confusion and has drag-and-drop capabilities. A website-building tool like Wix offers this and has templates that let you effortlessly build your website. Wix also allows you to build an online store and helps you to track statistics of your website easily. If you ever encounter any problems, Wix has round-the-clock customer service. If you are more tech-savvy, however, Wix can give you advanced tools that help you build apps and even share them. This is great for app creators as well as Wix users who will have more access to a range of apps.
5. A Virtual Office Of Skilled Workers
Building a business means hiring workers with the skills that you need. Hiring workers can be a hassle, especially if you have no HR staff and have to do it yourself. You probably have no resources yet and can’t hire a full-time staff, and can only hire on a per-project basis. A tool that can fit this kind of business need is Odesk. It helps you browse hundreds of profiles for skilled workers that you can hire for any type of job. It helps you view profiles of creatives who have their own tools for the job, and accountants with their own graphic calculator, as well as virtual assistants. It lets you see their credentials, including work experience and client reviews. These applicants are most agreeable to the contractual basis of employment. You can get employees with diverse skills, and once you’ve chosen a profile, you can set up an interview to further assess their fit for your project. If both you and the applicant have reached a mutual, agreement, you can assign them immediately on the project.
6. A Tool That Gets The Word Out
When you are running a business, it is important that you get as much visibility as possible. You have to get a tool that helps you craft newsletters easily and send them out in bulk. Newsletters are highly important in business, and most conversions happen through effective newsletters. A tool such as MailChimp helps you make newsletters with its drag-and-drop capabilities and templates that help you make attractive and well-organized newsletters. Sending a newsletter can help your clients stay updated with your products and services. MailChimp helps you get your clients become interested and excited about your business.
7. A Tool That Makes Exorbitant Phone Fees A Thing Of The Past
Phone calls and making connections are always essential for any business. There may be times when you have to call a client overseas or an employee, and you have to deal with time differences and exorbitant phone bills. With a tool such as Skype, this becomes a thing of the past, and you can communicate with anyone anywhere in a clear manner. The interface of Skype is also easy to use, and the service is efficient.
8. A Good Website Hosting Service
If you have a website, you naturally have to have a web host to upload it to. A good web host is GoDaddy because it offers something for everyone. It is also especially good for website owners who are not tech-savvy since it offers templates and social media tools to help you create a professional-looking website in no time. GoDaddy is great for people who want quality results with little effort and within a short amount of time.
9. A Tool For Networking
As a business, you have to network and make connections to meet all sorts of people who will help you grow your business. Meet potential business partners and employees on LinkedIn, which is a social media network that lets you meet qualified persons from your own network and the network of your friends and colleagues.
