Starting a new business is hard work. There are a million things to juggle, including employees, funds, and operations. But having the right tools can make that juggling act a whole lot easier. The following paragraphs highlight some must-have tools to set your startup on the path to success.
A User-Friendly Website
In today’s digital age, your website is the virtual front door to your business. It’s one of the first places potential customers go to learn about who you are and what you offer. An outdated, clunky website will send visitors running for the exits. Instead, invest in a clean, modern site that’s easy to navigate and highlights your brand. Make sure it’s mobile-friendly too, since most people surf the web on their phones these days.
Social Media Presence
You have to go where your customers are, and that’s on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. Having active social media accounts allows you to connect with your target audience, share updates and content, and build brand loyalty. Don’t spread yourself too thin, though; pick a couple of platforms that make sense for your business and focus your efforts there.
Project Management Software
With so many spinning plates, project management tools are crucial for startups to stay organized and hit deadlines. Apps like Trello, Asana, and Basecamp allow you to map out tasks, assign responsibilities, set due dates and more. Having a central hub keeps everyone accountable and aware of responsibilities.
Cloud Storage Solution
Whether you’re sharing large files internally or with clients, a cloud storage solution like Dropbox or Google Drive is indispensable. Gone are the days of emailing huge attachments back and forth. Cloud platforms make it easy to upload, store, and grant access to important documents from anywhere.
Freelancer Network Account
There will inevitably be times when you need an extra set of hands, whether it’s for design work, coding, writing or other tasks. Freelancer platforms like Upwork and Fiverr let you tap into a global network of talented freelancers on an as-needed basis rather than having to hire permanent staff.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System
Keeping track of leads, contacts, sales, and customer interactions is a full-time job in itself. A CRM platform streamlines all that data into one centralized place. Popular options like Salesforce and HubSpot keep your contact lists updated, log customer communications, report on sales metrics and more.
Email Marketing Platform
Email remains one of the most effective marketing channels, but managing lists and campaigns can get complicated fast. That’s where email marketing services like Constant Contact, MailChimp, and AWeber come in handy. They provide templates to design emails, tools to build contact lists, and insights to measure engagement.
A Top-Notch Answering Service
As your startup grows, fielding all those ringing phone lines quickly becomes overwhelming. This is where a professional live answering service proves its worth in gold. Services like Apello ensure a real person answers every call around the clock so that you never miss an opportunity. You can even customize how calls are managed based on your preferences.
Accounting/Invoicing Software
Managing income, expenses, invoices, payroll, and taxes is a lot to juggle financially. Save yourself the headache and use accounting programs like FreshBooks, QuickBooks or Xero. These automate many of the tedious bookkeeping tasks so you can stay focused on running your core business.
Conclusion
There you have it – a core toolset to equip your startup for success right out of the gate. Every business’s needs are different, though, so feel free to customize based on your unique requirements. The tools above will provide a solid technical foundation to build upon as your company grows.
