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There are thousands of apps and software’s out there and it is nearly impossible to keep up with all of them. This list is for beginners and startup founders just getting started. These will not be advanced apps by any means, however, if you are starting out and you do not know what to use, this is a good first list to get started!
One thing most business owners struggle with is staying organized, they have the ideas, the personality, the knowledge, and skill but they write their list of tasks on a napkin/piece of paper with the wild assumption that they will use it later! This is obviously not a method that works, don’t waste your great ideas, Monday.com allows you to create a project management spreadsheet that keeps your task organized and allows you to keep each task organized by status, date, updates, etc. Completely customizable to keep your tasks on track and organized.
Again, these are not supposed to be advanced apps/software’s by any means. But for startups that want the first steps Google Workspace is a great solution. While you may just know Google Workspace by the individual names of the products (Gmail, Drive, Google Docs, Google Calendar) these are branded together so you can have access all in one place- keeping your documents, emails, and calendar all synced, allowing you to connect appointments and emails and maintain proper records. Google Workspace is your solution to access all this information wherever you go.
QuickBooks is the smallest business’s first step to getting started. While this is a basic CRM tool as well, the real purpose is invoicing, recording expenses, tax prep, and reports. While small business owners sometimes think “I don’t spend that much” or “I work in cash, I can keep up with it.” Trust me, even if you only have 4 or 5 transactions a week, in a couple of months you will have no idea what you bought at Lowes 3 months ago. QuickBooks is an easy tool to keep your money organized.
This is not early 2000s anymore, you do not need to be a graphic designer for some basic designs. Canva is a tool that allows even the most basic beginner to design ads, images, and any other content in any style for posting, advertising, or any graphics they may need.
If you do not have a budget for advertising, newsletters are a great way to do some easy and sometimes free when getting started advertising to past clients. Small businesses that do email marketing can see a 42 ROI on their investment (Meaning for every $1 you spend you will see $42 back). This is a great easy way to get your past clients coming back and remembering why they used you and need you!
Calendly is a cost effective and easy tool to get rid of the need to go back and forward on scheduling. If you are tired of asking customers if 12 different times work for them, try Calendly and skip the back and forth. This is an easy tool that can connect with your Google calendar automatically blocking off any events you currently have in place and allowing the customer to find a time slot that works for them.
Find yourself saying the same thing every time you hire someone. Giving the same instructions, sending the same emails, or giving the same information repeatedly? This is a great tool to simply record your SOP library with training videos allowing your customers or employees to access any training they may need without having to ask you every question.
This tool gets a little more complicated for beginners but when you have multiple software’s like some above, this tool can allow you to connect. For example, if you are using CRM, sending newsletters, and using QuickBooks or another accounting software. It does not make sense to put the same information in each system repeatedly. Instead using Zapier allows these software’s to connect so once you add a customer to your CRM you will no longer have to add them in QuickBooks or MailChimp.
This tool is great for forming your own business dashboard, allowing you to view all aspects of your business in one place! If you have tasks set on Monday, appointments on Calendly, and invoices needing to be sent on QuickBooks, don’t jump around and log into every website constantly checking each one to see what is happening. Instead, build out a business dashboard on Notion and allow yourself to get a full customizable view all in one place.
No matter what position or status in your business you are in, there will be times when you need to write. This could be writing a blog, email, or ad copy but whatever it is you are a writer. Grammarly allows you to become a great writer, giving you suggestions in your writing and making sure your Grammar is close to flawless.
Again, there are thousands of tools and software’s out there to get you started but these are 10 tools to get your small business started! If you need help setting up these tools, or even these sound way too complicated. Try Buzzy Work Pro, a high-level administrative assistant. We can come in and set up your software, troubleshoot any problems, or automate or integrate your systems.
Mission: Next Gen Small Business Workforce
