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9 Free-to-use online tools every startup needs to succeed.

by Ursula Dietrichsen

As exciting as it can be to start a new business, it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to managing tasks, marketing, and finances.

Luckily, there are numerous free online tools available that can help streamline and simplify these processes. We've compiled a list of 9 must-have free online tools for every startup, including tools for project management, personal branding, financial management, and more. As a bonus, we've included an extra tool that you won't want to miss.

Top 9 Online Tools for New Business Owners

1

LinkedIn: Build your personal brand

LinkedIn logo on phone background #internetprovider #internetinmyarea
LinkedIn logo on phone background

One of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to promote your startup is through social media. LinkedIn has grown to become an extremely powerful personal branding tool.

By creating a strong profile and regularly posting content that is relevant to the kind of people you're targeting, you can build a following and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. This will not only help you attract potential customers but also potential suppliers, investors, and partners.

2

Canva: Design made simple

Canva app on smartphone for graphic design #bestinternetprovider #wififorhome
Canva app on smartphone for graphic design

Canva is an online graphic design platform that allows you to create stunning visuals for your website, social media, and marketing materials. With its user-friendly interface and pre-designed templates, even those with little or no design experience can create professional-looking graphics. From social media posts to business cards, Canva is an essential tool for startups looking to create a strong brand identity.

Canva keeps adding new features, such as the new AI tools they recently launched, which help users create amazing designs in just a few clicks.

3

Trello: A visual way to manage projects

Trello app for project management #internetprovidersinmyarea #homeinternetproviders
Trello app for project management

Trello is a project management app that helps businesses to be more productive and stay on top of their tasks. It's perfect for keeping track of to-do lists, organising projects, and assigning tasks to team members. Trello's user-friendly interface and customisable features make it easy to use, and it can be accessed on both desktop and mobile devices.

With Trello, you can keep track of everything that needs to be done, set deadlines, and collaborate with team members in real time. It's a great tool for any business that wants to streamline their workflow and stay organised.

4

Discord: Create a virtual office environment

Discord app for team communication #wirelessinternet #internetproviders
Discord app for team communication

Discord is a great communication tool that many startups use to create a virtual office environment. While WhatsApp is great for quick chats and updates, Discord is more like a virtual office where team members can create channels for different projects or topics and have ongoing conversations throughout the day.

Use Discord to stay connected, collaborate on projects, and keep the team engaged even when working remotely. Plus, with its voice and video chat capabilities, it can be a great alternative to Zoom for team meetings and video conferencing. So if you're looking for a way to create a virtual office space for your team of remote workers, Discord may be a great option to explore.

5

HubSpot CRM: Manage your customer relationships

Hubspot app for business growth #internetprovidersnearme #wifiproviders
HubSpot app for business growth

HubSpot CRM is a free customer relationship management (CRM) tool that helps you manage your customer interactions. With HubSpot CRM, you can track customer interactions, manage leads, and analyse sales data.

HubSpot CRM is an essential tool for startups looking to manage their customer relationships more effectively and avoid leads and deals from going cold.

6

Wave: Simplify your finances

Wave app for accounting and bookkeeping #homeinternetproviders #cheapestwifi
Wave app for accounting and bookkeeping

Wave is a free accounting software that's ideal for small businesses. It allows you to track your expenses, invoices, payments, and more. Wave also provides a free receipt scanning app, so you can easily keep track of your receipts on-the-go.

With Wave, you can create professional-looking invoices, which is great for creating a positive impression with your clients. Additionally, Wave has a payroll service that's available at an affordable rate, making it easier for small businesses to manage their payroll. Wave also offers easy integration with other platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and PayPal. With all these features and more, Wave can help you save time and money, so you can focus on growing your business.

7

Google Analytics: Track your website performance

Google Analytics for data analysis #internetprovidersinmyarea #bestinternetprovider
Google Analytics for data analysis

Google Analytics is a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. This free platform helps you track your website traffic and understand how users interact with your site. Analyse user behavior, measure the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns, and identify areas for improvement.

By using Google Analytics, you can make data-driven decisions that will help you grow your business and increase your online presence. Plus, with the ability to set up custom reports and dashboards, you can quickly access the data that is most important to you.

8

Hootsuite: All your social media managed in one place

Hootsuite for social media planning #wififorhome #internetproviders
Hootsuite for social media planning

Hootsuite is a social media management platform that enables businesses to manage all their social media profiles from a single dashboard. Startups can schedule social media posts in advance, collaborate with team members, and monitor social media performance.

Hootsuite also provides analytics to help businesses track engagement and reach, making it a valuable tool for businesses looking to grow their social media presence. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Hootsuite is a great free tool for startups looking to streamline their social media strategy.

9

Mailchimp: Simplify your email marketing

Mailchimp for email marketing #wifiproviders #internetinmyarea
Mailchimp for email marketing

Email marketing is one of the most important aspects of any business, and Mailchimp has been leading the way with its user-friendly platform.

With Mailchimp, you can easily create and send professional-looking newsletters, automated campaigns, and more, all while tracking your success with detailed analytics. Whether you're just starting out or looking to up your email marketing game, Mailchimp is a great choice for any business.

10

Bonus tool: Haystack digital business cards

Haystack app for contact management #internetprovidersnearme #wirelessinternet
Haystack app for contact management

Digital business cards are an efficient way to make connections in today's world. Haystack is one of the best apps available for creating and managing digital business cards. You can easily customise your card with your brand colours, logo, and other information such as your website and social media profiles.

Easily share your card with others via text, email, or social media. With Haystack, you can track who views your card and when they do, allowing you to follow up with potential leads in a timely manner. Best of all, Haystack is free to use with limited features, but for more advanced features, a paid subscription is available.

Conclusion

Starting a business is an exciting journey that we at WIRUlink understand all too well. As a company founded by entrepreneurs more than 10 years ago, we know firsthand the challenges that come with building a successful business from scratch.

That's why we want to share our knowledge and experience by providing you with a list of essential online tools to help make your journey a little smoother. And, of course, we also know that reliable internet is crucial to any startup's success, which is why we offer fast and stable internet services to help you take your business to the next level.

WIRUlink fast and stable internet for startups

Visit our website at https://www.wiru.co.za/coverage to check if fibre is available in your area.

For more information or assistance, contact us on 010 595 0000 or sales@wiru.co.za.

Free tools. One paid essential.

Every tool on this list runs in the browser, which makes your connection the one thing worth spending on. Let's get your startup online properly.

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