Small-business owners have to wear many hats, and the number of hats has grown considerably since the pandemic. From running marketing campaigns, to managing inventory, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Thankfully, in recent years, there has been a proliferation of apps and software which aim to streamline these processes.
With so many tools available at your fingertips, it can be hard to determine which ones are truly “essential” to getting off the ground. So, to help you narrow it down, here are five digital tools you should consider investing in:
- Payment processing
Seamless payment processes are essential for increasing checkout completion rates. Both in-store and offline, offering fast transactions with a variety of payment options will help improve the overall customer experience and drive sales.
Consider using payment processing tools like Zeller or Stripe to accept payments via a broad range of physical cards and mobile wallets. These tools will allow you to provide consistent convenience and service. - Project management
Laying the foundations for a new venture can be the toughest part of the business lifecycle, but getting your internal processes in order from the get-go makes a huge difference.
A project management tool like monday.com or Wrike can help you stay on top of priorities, goals, team resourcing and more. For example, you can customise software to keep track of stock, monitor budgets, and allocate tasks to employees. - Social media management
Social media is one of the most effective tools to get your brand out there. Not only do these platforms have immense reach, they are also completely free.
Look into a tool like HootSuite or Buffer to schedule posts across pages and plan your social content in blocks. You’ll also be able to keep track of how each post performs via the analytics provided. You can then adjust your content based on your followers’ response, which will allow you to grow your social pages and reach new customers. - eSignature
Starting a small business can come with a slew of paperwork, and endless back and forth to get legalities in order.
An eSignature tool such as Docusign or eversign saves you time by giving you the ability to sign documents from a variety of devices, and effortlessly request signatures. You can also create reusable templates and pre-fill forms to further time. All your documents will then be electronically stored, allowing you to do your part for the environment! - Graphic design
One of the most important aspects to nail in the early days of starting your business is a visual identity. Your branding is the very first touchpoint with your business, so getting this right is paramount.
Take your logo for example – if you’re a business with a sustainability ethos, communicate this by using natural elements like leaves, or the colour green. Food businesses can look into incorporating the colour red, which has been known to encourage appetite.
While starting a small business can be challenging, these tools will help you build solid foundations by automating many of the key processes. Don’t hesitate to start slow and make full use of the free trials these platforms offer before you invest in those that make the most sense for your business. Doing so will help set your business up for success, and give you back the time you need to focus on pursuing your passion full-time.
