Running a freelance business is not an easy task, and going it alone can often feel ten times more difficult. When you run your business alone, you need tools that:
- Save time.
- Are easy to learn and use.
- Simplify running your business.
We’ve rounded up some of the best free tools to help you manage your business in all areas.
Financial tools to help you run your business
Managing your finances is one of the most important skills you will learn as a solo preneur. Many of us don’t take this for granted, but these tools should help.
Pandle Cloud Accounting
Pandle’s clean and simple user interface is ideal for accountants and seasoned business owners. Bookkeeping is becoming more complex and offers all the functions you need from modern accounting software.
Money dashboard
For an overview of all of your various bank accounts, Money Dashboard makes it easy to see all of your accounts in one place. It’s ideal for keeping track of your expenses and setting budgets for business and personal accounts.
Website management tools
If you have or want to set up your own website, don’t overlook these tools.
WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular ways to build a website. It’s pretty easy to use and if you get stuck there is endless support. You can either set up a free website with WordPress.com, or you can host yourself and buy your own domain with WordPress.org.
Google Keyword Planner
To make sure your website is found by the right people, you need to think about SEO and keywords. An easy way to find good keywords is with Google’s Keyword Planner. Just enter in some keyword ideas and you will see how often people search for them.
Content tools
As the saying goes, content is king. When you have your own website, one of the most important things to focus on is the content. That turns prospects into paying customers.
grammar
Grammar can be of great help in ensuring that your content is correct and read well. It checks your spelling and grammar, and is a great tool for spotting mistakes like double spaces or tricky spellings.
Hemingway
Hemingway is another great content tool that checks that the writing is easy to read for most people. This is done via reading layers and is very important for users of your website.
Design tools
If you’re looking to create a DIY logo or blog graphic, pairing these tools is an easy way to try your hand at graphic design.
Canva
Canva is great for creating blog graphics, social media graphics, header images, or logos. It’s packed with templates and designs, or you can create your own from scratch.
Pixabay
If you can’t take your own photos all day, Pixabay is a great way to get some free pictures. There you will find a wide variety of free photos that you can download for your website or social media.
Social media tools
An important part of modern marketing is the use of social media. Instead of spending all day on Twitter, these two tools are great for planning content.
buffer
Buffer is also a popular, easy-to-use social media scheduler. You can link up to three accounts on the free plan, including Instagram and Pinterest.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a similar tool that lets you set up three accounts on the free plan. However, you can schedule 30 posts at a time, compared to Buffer’s 10.
Project management tools for freelancers
To keep track of all of your clients and clients, a good project management tool is a must.
Asana
Asana is an advanced project management tool that you can use independently or with a team. You can create calendars and tasks, assign yourself work, and track progress. This is a great way to keep track of all of your different customers and tasks in one place.
Trello
For a simpler task management tool, Trello uses a virtual map system. You can create cards with tasks, reminders, and due dates to keep track of different projects.
Email Marketing Resources and Platforms
As part of your marketing push or sign up process, having a good email marketing tool is vital.
MailChimp
One of the most popular email marketing tools is MailChimp. Use this option to set up email campaigns, schedule automated emails, and even divide your email list into different groups. This ensures that your emails are only sent to relevant recipients, so your campaign has a better chance of success.
MailerLite
MailerLite is another simple email marketing platform that is well worth checking out. It uses a simple drag-and-drop editor so you can create pretty professional looking emails in minutes.
Which tool is right for you?
These types of tools are important to most businesses, large and small. The ones proposed in particular have free versions, but there is also a premium plan for each of them. Check out what features are available in the free plan to make sure they meet all of your needs.
