Top 9 Tech Tools for Small Businesses (And Why You Should Use Them)

Today, digitalization for small businesses is a necessity. Yet, the 2020 Small Business Digital Maturity Study from IDC and Cisco reported that 56% of small businesses are just digital observers as opposed to pioneers. 

Some of the root causes behind this statistic can be traced back to a long learning curve, high expenses, a sense of an inadequate skill set and a lack of time.

It’s okay if you, as a small business owner, find yourself questioning if you'll ever be able to learn these tools. You aren’t alone. So, how do you prepare for digitalization?

Top Tools to Boost Your Small Business Technology

To make things even quicker for you, we have compiled a list of pocket-friendly small business technology tools that are easy to implement. 

1. Website Builder

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With more than 91% of the U.S. population expected to shop online by 2023, having no website for your business is akin to being invisible — something no business owner wants. Wix.com and Web.com are two website hosting and building resources that can launch your small business online within minutes. Both tools offer SEO-powered and responsive templates and allow you to set up a winning domain name.

2. Social Media

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With over 240 million Americans using social media, it’s likely your customers are there, too. ContentCal is an ideal tool for individuals and small businesses seeking to streamline content planning, creating and posting. Buffer is another alternative. Buffer’s Instagram engagement guide will get you to stay on top of every post and comment. 

3. Email Marketing 

Your email marketing needs to be on point if you want to maximize your ROI. Use MailChimp , Benchmark Email, or MailerLite to engage your users with aesthetically designed, personalized and responsive email campaigns. All three tools offer built-in templates and insightful email marketing metrics like email open-rate and unsubscribe rate. 

4. Document Management 

Google Drive or Dropbox are excellent document management platforms that ensure your employees or customers have shared access to required work documents, collaterals and guides. Both offer ample storage space that can be upgraded as required. 

5. Graphics 

Canva and Venngage are tools that allow you to create eye-popping images, flyers, brochures, cards and even infographics. Canva has a detailed startup tutorial and promotes team collaboration. 

6. Finance 

Keeping track of payments, loans, taxes, etc., is crucial for your business's financial health, yet it can be cumbersome. Gusto, a payroll and benefits management tool, can reduce time spent in calculating benefits, deductions and W-2s. Bill.com is an invoicing platform that’ll help you secure payments faster. It also provides accounts payable and receivables history right at your fingertips. 

7. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Free CRM tools like HubSpot or Agile can significantly improve your customers’ user experience by allowing you to store, track and manage from a centralized board. ConvergeHub, a cloud-based CRM, is a top choice for small businesses; their detailed guides will make you a CRM pro in no time. Nimble enables you to merge contacts, email and social media into one channel; the CRM platform integrates with your web browser and predicts relevant contacts based on user interaction. 

8. Project Management 

Asana, a project management tool renowned for its flexibility, allows you to create and schedule projects, streamline timelines and assign responsibilities. Asana’s step-by-step YouTube videos will have you master the program within minutes. 

A popular choice within small businesses with less than 50 employees is Trello. The platform provides a visual overview of your projects vis Kanban boards. If you prefer using spreadsheets, then Airtable might be the tool for you. Airtable is a spreadsheet-style app that allows you to manage calendars, inventory and product development using templates. 

9. Communication 

Slack (free and paid plans available) makes chatting with members, vendors, freelancers, and customers more organized. The tool, accessible via laptop or phone, is easy to master and ensures everyone is on the same page seamlessly and in real-time.

WhatsApp Business is an app that allows you to create product catalogs, set up automated delivery and shipment messages and filter replies. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Tech Tools

Adding new tech tools to your small business' infrastructure can seem daunting, but here are some helpful tips to help your small business vet the right tools, so you can get back to business.

1. Do Your Due Diligence

Technology’s learning curve can seem daunting, but doing your research will speed up your adoption rate. Read technical and small business blogs on sites like BizSugar, Small Biz Survival and Google Small Business. Google your competitors and be a sponge. You’ll be surprised by how easy some of the tools are. 

2. Test Drive Products via Free Trials

Take advantage of any free trial periods or free versions. This way you will gain first-hand knowledge about its capabilities and can assess whether it’s really necessary. 

3. Choose Your Tools Wisely

Technology can be exciting, but don’t jump into using all the tools at once. Start with one to two small business tools that are of utmost need and see how they integrate with your current productivity, bandwidth, and staffing. This phased approach will speed up your learning. 

Become a Digital Pioneer 

We know how essential it is for your business to stay ahead of technology’s learning curve. These small business tools can speed up the adaptation process and transform you into a digital pioneer.

Bizee can help you beat the learning curve with our free Business Resources Center. We provide a variety of guides and checklists to help you start and manage your business entity with ease.

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