FREE! That’s our favorite price to pay, especially when it get us the result we need. We use both paid and free tools to help us run our business. As the new year comes, it’s time to start thinking about starting that side hustle or full on business you keep talking about. Let us help you do it without breaking the bank. Here are the top tools we use to help us get work done effectively and affordably.
Gmail and the Google Office Suite
Gmail and the Google Office Suite are powerful tools that can replace expensive paid subscriptions to Microsoft Office. Google Docs, Sheets, Forms and Slides will help you replace MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and expensive survey sites like Survey Gizmo for free. Googles tools work from any web browser, or from their free mobile apps. They’re completely free to use for yourself or if you’re collaborating with others. These tools will allow you to Communicate, Connect and Collaborate without the cost. When you’re ready to have your own domain name and site you can upgrade to the paid version, G-Suite for just $6 per user/ month.
Google Docs
Small Business Administration
Trying to find information about how to start and manage your small business can be a challenge. The Small Business Administration is a government program dedicated to helping entrepreneurs like you get easy access to the resources they need to plan, launch, manage and grow your business. You can even receive free services like business counseling or apply for SBA guaranteed business loans. There are local chapters all over the country where you can meet in person.
Small Business Administration
Enloop
Every business needs a business plan. Starting at a blank document trying to figure out how to get started can be daunting., Enloop is a great tool that will allow you to create a professional business plan including 3-year financial forecast reporting. You can also get a free business plan score to help you make your business plan as good as it can be. Enloop gives you your first business plan for free and then you can sign up for a subscription plan for additional plans or added features.
Canva
Unless you’re a graphic designer, designing beautiful posts, charts, book covers or graphics in general is probably not your strong suite. Canva is a great tool that offers a huge amount of free resources to help you create beautiful graphics for your website, blog or social media. If you want to take it further, Canva offers great tools to manage your brand image and ensure that all the media you produce will be “on brand”.
Docracy
Attorney’s are expensive! Docracy offers an open source library of legal documents that can save you thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees. Docracy offers everything from contracts to basic service agreements. Of course, you’ll want to get your documents reviewed by a legal professional as soon as you can afford, it but Docracy will offer you guided protection until you reach that level. Docracy also has a free digital signature for legal documents!
PayPal
Do you need to accept payments online? Is a lack of an online payment solution keeping you from expanding your business online or getting paid? Try PayPal! PayPal offers free online payments from credit or debit card transactions as well as recurring payments with no sign up cost and no direct fee.
YouCanBook.Me
Consultants, Therapists, Attorneys or anyone that needs to be able to setup appointments will love YouCanBook.Me. YouCanBook.Me offers easy free client scheduling. You can integrate this tool into your business and website and start accepting appointments today. The app allows you to set specific types of appointments and lengths and will even integrate with your Google calendar to work around any scheduling conflicts that may arise.
Hootsuite
Managing multiple social media accounts can be hectic. Hootsuite can help you manage all of your accounts at once. You can schedule posts, track messagesYou can schedule posts, track mentions, interact with followers, or even see how effective your social presence is! Best of all is that this is free!
Pixabay
Need an image for a blog post, instagram post, document or other project you’re working on? Pixabay offers an array of free use images for your needs! They tend to lean more toward indie feeling imagery than other, so you don’t have to worry about your images having the same boring feel that most stock image services offer.
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