Running an online business has it’s perks when it comes to the array of online tools that can be used to help you get through your work and grow your business. Here are the tools we love the most:
Project Management
Google Drive
I am soooo not a fan of emailing documents back and forth. It can be a nightmare to keep up with. Being able to collaborate in real-time on editing documents and spreadsheets with our clients is just amazing. It’s super easy to use and free.
Try Google Drive
Google Apps for Work
In addition to Google Drive, we use the entire Google Apps for Work suite. This gives us reliable email and Google Drive storage so we never have to worry about technology issues. This takes care of our documents, spreadsheets, emails and calendar. If Google goes down, there are probably bigger issues happening in the world.
Try Google Apps
Dropbox
Easy file sharing. Dropbox is great for sharing files and folders and keeping these in sync across multiple computers.
Try Dropbox
LastPass
“The last password you have to remember”. Many people are guilty of using the same password for everything. In this age where so much of our lives are online, you should always use complex and different passwords on your sites. Lastpass takes care of this for you by integrating with your web browser so you only ever have to remember one password to unlock all your other passwords.
Try LastPass
Process and Workflow
Process Street
This is my new favorite tool and it’s just awesome. If you are repeating tasks over and over – transfer them into Process Street and get ready to hand them off. Your business can’t grow if you’re doing everything!
Try Process Street
Product & Service Delivery
WordPress
We build websites for our clients and WordPress is one of our most useful tools for better websites. From publishing new content, to quickly creating new features, WordPress is our go to platform to help build successful businesses.
Try WordPress
Adobe Creative Suite
Using Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Reader, Writer, and DreamWeaver is a regular occurance for us, so it made sense to subscribe to the entire suite. But, if you simply need the best photo and graphics editor around you can subscribe to a single app.
See plans here
Mailchimp
Easy to use email marketing software with tons of integrations. Free for up to 2,000 subscribers and adding automation is only $10/mo.
Try Mailchimp
TinyPng
Speed up your site by optimizing your images before you upload them.
Try TinyPNG
Productivity
Todoist
An online task manager and to do list. It also plugs in to Gmail which allows us to keep our inbox very minimal. Very simple task manager.
Try Todoist
Mixmax for Gmail
Send emails with scheduling, tracking, polls, surveys and more right in Gmail. We could not live without this as part of our Google Apps system.
Try Mixmax.
17hats
This is a powerhouse for small businesses. It covers contracts, invoicing, time tracking, workflows, and email templates. Recurring invoices can be set up and it integrates with Quickbooks Online, as well as Stripe payment gateway. They recently added integration with Square as well.
Try 17hats
Ambiance
Spotify
Our inhouse DJ. Everything from albums to music choice by mood. We especially love listening to a rainstorm or beach waves.
Try Spotify
Collaborator Communication
Skype
Our colleagues and accountability partners are all over the United States, the UK and Australia – this is the only way we can afford to chat “in person.” The free video calling is epic.
Try Skype