Even the most promising of startups run into a few hiccups early on. And in order to make sure you don’t run out of funding, it’s essential to save money where you can. Saving money doesn’t have to mean staying away from useful technology, though—there’s a wealth of free tech tools out there for businesses just starting out! Here are some free tools you can use for your new startup business:
1. Cloud Collaboration Tools
An efficient business is one where team members can share work instantly. And with tools for cloud collaboration, team members can easily share slides, spreadsheets, and documents. Whether they’re working remotely or in the same office, this type of sharing is a great way to streamline your workflow.
Cloud collaboration has another advantage: it also backs up work to the cloud. That way, you won’t have to worry about data being lost in the event of a computer failure or similar issue. One of the most popular free cloud collaboration tools is Google’s G Suite, which includes email.
2. Video Conference Software
Especially if you have many remote employees, video conferencing is an indispensable tool. Thanks to the pandemic, Zoom has emerged as one of the more popular video conferencing apps. With a free account, you can host group meetings for up to 100 people. If you sign up for the free plan, meetings can last up to 40 minutes.
3. Social Media Management Software
The average social media manager makes over $50,000 per year. This kind of expense can be overwhelming for smaller startups. But to effectively reach potential clients or customers, a company must be fairly active on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Social media management software like Buffer lets you pre-write and schedule your social media posts. That way, you don’t have to take time out throughout the workday to make posts. Buffer also includes a free analytics component that shows you which posts generate the most engagement. With this feature, you can write more posts that connect with your followers and help you gain some new ones, too.
4. Time and Attendance Software
Depending on the number of employees you have, dealing with paper time cards can be time-consuming and lead to errors. Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to keeping track of your employees’ time on the clock.
You can use free time and attendance software to let employees easily keep track of their hours. Some tools, like Lathem’s PayClock Online, use quick and sanitary facial recognition techniques.
5. Project Management Tools
When your team has a massive list of tasks to complete, the right task management software makes all the difference. Free project management software like Trello gives you a visual representation of the tasks you need to complete. You get a visual marker of your progress, and you can also see how the other members of your team are progressing.
If you’ve never used project management software before, you might be worried that it will be overly complex and difficult to figure out. However, Trello is relatively simple, even for first-time users.
6. Schedule Management Software
Whether you’re scheduling interviews, meetings, or shifts, keeping track of what you’ve scheduled is a must. That’s where schedule management software comes in. And if you need to schedule an interview or meeting, this software lets someone select a date and time based on your availability. The scheduling itself is quick and easy, and the software will send you reminders as needed.
One example of free schedule management software is Calendly. It’s a program that you can integrate with many other free software tools, too.
7. Graphic Design Tools
A beautiful website and visually pleasing social media posts can really draw in clients and support your company’s ethos. And if you don’t have the budget to hire a graphic designer, free graphic design tools can still help you create beautiful and professional designs.
Canva is a great example of a free graphic design tool. Using templates, you can create eye-catching logos, beautiful infographics, and ads that get results.
Conclusion
As you can see, you can create a streamlined, collaborative workflow without spending a penny! By taking a few hours to select the right tools for your company, you can ensure your startup’s bright future.
