If you’re a small business owner, you know how painful it can be to wear so many hats at once. One moment you’re a marketer, the next you’re a bookkeeper, and before you know it, you’re solving IT issues! It’s enough to leave anyone feeling stressed. But what if there were tools designed to ease the pain?
Enter the “Best Business Tools and Apps” — your new best friends in tackling the hassles of running a small business.
In this guide, I’ll talk about the top tools that can help you manage your time, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
Why Do You Need Best Business Tools?
According to a survey by Small Business Trends, 78% of small businesses attribute their success to using the right software and tools.
Tools simplify tasks, reduce human error, and improve efficiency.
For example:
- Businesses that used accounting software saved up to 50% of the time they’d spend on bookkeeping manually.
- Marketing automation tools can increase lead generation by over 451% (HubSpot)
Another report from TechJury showcases that companies implementing digital tools see a 40% increase in productivity and a 23% rise in revenue.
In today’s competitive market, efficiency isn’t optional — it’s essential. From staying ahead of competitors to improving customer satisfaction, smart tools mean smarter business.
Now, here are 20 must-have business tools and business apps for your small business and for all types of small business owners, categorized for every need.
1. QuickBooks (Accounting)
Managing finances can be tricky, but QuickBooks makes it easy. This popular accounting software offers features like invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and tax preparation.
Key Benefits:
- Saves 10+ hours/month on bookkeeping.
- Affordable pricing starting at $25/month.
Small businesses using QuickBooks report a 30% faster tax filing process.
2. Trello (Project Management)
Keep your team organized and your projects on track with Trello. It’s a visual task management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to simplify workflows.
Key Benefits:
- Boosts team productivity by 25%.
- Free version available.
Use Trello’s automation features to cut repetitive tasks. Teams have reported saving up to 6 hours weekly by using these automations.
3. Canva (Graphic Design)
Every small business needs professional-looking visuals. Canva lets you create awesome and profitable designs, even if you’re not a designer.
Key Benefits:
- Free templates for everything from social media posts to brochures.
- Saves $500+ per year compared to hiring a designer.
Pair Canva designs with strong calls-to-action for higher engagement.
4. Slack (Team Communication)
Streamline communication with your team using Slack. This platform allows you to create channels for different projects and share files instantly.
Key Benefits:
- Reduces email usage by 32%.
- Free plan for small teams.
Companies using Slack see a 30% improvement in internal communication (Business Insider). Effective communication tools like Slack can boost team morale by up to 20%, according to Gallup.
5. Zoom (Video Conferencing)
In a remote work era, video meetings are vital. Zoom is the go-to app for hosting webinars, virtual meetings, or client calls.
Key Benefits:
- Up to 40-minute meetings for free.
- Increases customer engagement by 20%.
Use Zoom’s webinar features to educate customers and generate leads effectively.
6. Google Workspace (Productivity Suite)
Formerly G Suite, Google Workspace combines Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Drive for seamless collaboration.
Key Benefits:
- Saves $1,000+ yearly compared to traditional office software.
- Secure storage with 15GB free.
4.3 million businesses worldwide rely on Google Workspace.
7. HubSpot CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
Keep track of your leads and customers with HubSpot CRM, a free tool for managing sales pipelines.
Key Benefits:
- Free forever for basic features.
- Increases sales by 29% with better lead management.
Integrate HubSpot with your email marketing tools for maximum impact.
8. Mailchimp (Email Marketing)
Email marketing has a high ROI, returning $36 for every $1 spent (Litmus). Mailchimp makes it easy to create campaigns, send newsletters, and analyze results.
Key Benefits:
- Free plan for up to 500 contacts.
- Automation features boost email opens by 90%.
Small businesses using email marketing tools see up to a 60% increase in repeat customers.
9. Shopify (E-commerce)
If you sell products online, Shopify is the best e-commerce platform. It’s user-friendly and packed with features to help you sell more.
Key Benefits:
- Supports businesses in generating $4.6 billion annually.
- Plans start at $29/month.
Optimize your Shopify store with product descriptions containing relevant keywords.
10. Square (Payment Processing)
For businesses that sell in-person, Square provides an all-in-one payment system, from card readers to POS software.
Key Benefits:
- No monthly fees; only pay per transaction.
- Boosts sales by enabling mobile payments.
Businesses using Square report a 23% increase in in-store sales.
11. Grammarly (Writing Assistant)
Writing flawless emails, blogs, or proposals is easy with Grammarly. It checks grammar, tone, and even plagiarism.
Key Benefits:
- Free plan available.
- Improves writing quality by 80%.
Use Grammarly’s tone suggestions to ensure your communication matches your brand voice.
12. Hootsuite (Social Media Management)
Manage all your social media accounts in one place with Hootsuite. It’s a time-saver for small businesses with limited resources.
Key Benefits:
- Free plan for scheduling posts.
- Saves 12+ hours/month on social media tasks.
Businesses using Hootsuite see a 3x increase in social media engagement.
13. Asana (Team Collaboration)
Asana is perfect for keeping everyone on the same page. Assign tasks, track progress, and hit deadlines effortlessly.
Key Benefits:
- Boosts productivity by 45%.
- Free for small teams.
Teams using Asana meet 95% of their project deadlines, according to Asana’s internal data.
14. Buffer (Social Media Scheduling)
Simplify social media posting with Buffer. It allows you to schedule posts across platforms and track performance.
Key Benefits:
- Free plan for up to 3 channels.
- Saves $300+ yearly compared to hiring a social media manager.
15. FreshBooks (Accounting)
Another excellent tool for bookkeeping, FreshBooks is tailored for freelancers and small business owners.
Key Benefits:
- Saves 192 hours annually on invoicing and expense tracking.
- Affordable pricing starts at $17/month.
16. LastPass (Password Management)
Protecting your business data starts with strong passwords. LastPass stores and auto-generates secure passwords.
Key Benefits:
- Free plan for individuals.
- Reduces password resets by 50%.
17. Monday.com (Project Management)
For complex projects, Monday.com offers advanced features like Gantt charts and team dashboards.
Key Benefits:
- Increases project completion rates by 39%.
- Plans start at $8/user/month.
18. Calendly (Scheduling)
Make scheduling meetings a breeze with Calendly. Share your calendar link and let clients pick a time.
Key Benefits:
- Free plan available.
- Saves 2+ hours/week.
19. Zendesk (Customer Support)
Exceptional customer service builds loyalty. Zendesk helps manage support tickets and live chats.
Key Benefits:
- Increases customer satisfaction by 25%.
- Affordable pricing starting at $19/month.
20. Notion (All-in-One Workspace)
Notion combines note-taking, project management, and collaboration in one app. It’s highly customizable and ideal for creative teams.
Key Benefits:
- Free for individuals.
- Saves $500/year compared to multiple separate apps.
Running a small business doesn’t have to mean juggling endless tasks and feeling overwhelmed.
With the right tools and apps, you can focus on growing your business. Investing in the right business tools is an investment in your success.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimize your operations, the tools mentioned in this guide can change the way you work, giving you more time to focus on what matters most — building a profitable and sustainable business.
So, don’t wait!
For more insights and tips on small business, stay tuned to my posts and newsletters.
Cheers mate.
Loved it
Hi, I am attempting to find things to improve my web site! I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
Pingback: Practical Marketing Tactics for Small Businesses in Bangladesh