Running a small business can be expensive. So it’s worth shopping around for the most cost-effective tools that you need for the business to function well. Of course, cheaper is not always better and you can waste a lot of your precious time setting up and dealing with digital duds.
In this article, we save you that time, by recommending some of the best free tools out there.
The right tools and services can significantly improve business performance and the work environment. With small businesses, finding those services is imperative as they can take the company to greater heights. If you want to schedule meetings automatically or advertise a job for free, keep on reading to find out which ones enable you to do that.
8 free services for your small business
If you’re a small business owner, it goes without saying that you DO NOT have the freedom to splurge. Fortunately, today we have multiple freely available resources for small businesses. Since small business owners already know how to stretch their funds and make the best use of them, the following free services are like a cherry on the cake.
1. Schedule meetings using Calendly
Calendly is one such free service that takes off the burden concerning meeting quality and scheduling. The aim is to save time and make way for fruitful discussions within the specified time frame. Your partners and employees can access your calendar and schedule meetings per your availability and convenience. You need not connect with each one on a personal level and can focus on other urgent matters while Calendly does its job.
2. Send emails using MailChimp
It is a well-known fact that people check their emails when they begin their work, so why not get their attention at first glance? MailChimp helps you do that and a lot more. It can send 12,000 emails to 2,000 subscribers for free each month, which is a highly valuable deal.
You also get access to multiple pre-designed templates that you can use to make your emails the most interesting to look at! Services like WordPress can be integrated with MailChimp so you can make sign-up forms and collect subscribers on the customer management tools you are using. For a minimal fare, you can get access to highly useful features. All you need to do is Sign Up and start sending emails to your customers!
3. Design visuals with Canva
To promote your small business, you need to be “creative” with the creatives. Canva is a very intuitive and easy-to-use design tool that uses templates and design tools to deliver often highly-professional designs. Alternatively, you can use it to draft ideas to send to a designer. But honestly, you might be amazed at just how polished your draft turns out.
Canva lets you unleash the designer within you. It provides templates of all kinds. Infographics, invites, banners, social media sized images and more can be created in a few clicks, saving you time. The next time you think of hiring graphic designers, know that Canva is readily available for you, and that too for no extra cost.
4. Build customer relationships via HubSpot
HubSpot is a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management tool with free and paid services. The HubSpot Academy also provides courses and resources to guide small business owners. With HubSpot, your business can take risks in marketing, track sales and provide better customer services to each customer onboard.
Hubspot can be integrated with other tools like Gmail, WordPress, and more. With a reliable HubSpot on-demand service at your disposal, you can get insights into how your website behaves and how your leads and customers react to it. You can also use their A/B testing kit without having to pay extra. HubSpot is free to use for an unlimited period of time.
5. Network using LinkedIn
LinkedIn is your go-to source if you want to build your network, which is essential for your small business. Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and budding talent are mostly found using this platform to connect with others. So, when you use LinkedIn, you are not only putting your brand on a global level but also creating more opportunities for your future employees.
LinkedIn also provides a Resource Center through which you can learn new skills and equip yourself as an entrepreneur. These recognitions boost your business profile and assist entrepreneurs on their journey.
6. Establish identity on Google My Business
Google has an amazing range of free resources for small businesses, including Gmail and the Google Docs range of tools. If your customer base is local you must make use of Google My Business to promote your service and manage reviews to aid the growth of your small business.
Google My Business will help you establish a strong identity in the online space. Once your brand profile is up, including the name, address, and contact numbers, you will be sorted for the next few months. If implemented effectively, these tools can drive more customers to your online platform and brick-and-mortar stores.
7. Manage social media channels with HootSuite
Small businesses need to monitor their social listening metrics to make the most of their business. Each mention and conversation is vital for the growth of the company. For this, social media channels need to be checked frequently, and HootSuite helps with that.
HootSuite provides free services through which you can schedule your posts, regulate the performance of your social media platforms, and interact with people. You will also be able to see those posts and content that are generating the maximum number of clicks. As your business expands, you can access more features and services HootSuite provides in its premium version.
8. Create websites with Wix
Wix is a website-building platform that small businesses can use for their benefit. You can promote your business, start your blog, or open your online store using this free service. Wix aids in building high-quality websites that guarantee high-quality operations.
Wix provides countless templates that you can use while creating a website. Small websites can make a full-fledged and operational website with the following features on Wix:
- Mobile-optimized
- Custom domain names
- Landing page templates
- Stock images
- Web hosting.
Simplifying small business operations
In today’s technologically advanced and digitally connected world, companies are redefining the landscape of how they’re run: unbounded by time and space constraints. Small businesses can still use the best software even when running on a shoestring. As more and more businesses use new and free services in the industry, it is time for you to jump on the bandwagon and test them out.
By B Naomi Grace