Apps to Set up Your Business | Starting a business can feel like navigating a labyrinth. With so many decisions and tasks to tackle, where do you even begin? Thankfully, the digital world offers a treasure trove of resources designed to simplify this journey. From app creation to financial management, there’s a tool for nearly every business need. Here’s a detailed guide on apps and websites that are pivotal for budding entrepreneurs, with a focus on resources that are free or offer a free trial.
1. Shopify – E-commerce Platform
What It Offers:
Shopify provides an all-in-one e-commerce platform to create your online store, manage products, and handle sales seamlessly.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface, great for beginners
- Extensive app store to add functionality
- Strong customer support
Cons:
- Monthly subscription can be costly for small businesses
- Limited SEO capabilities
Pricing: 14-day free trial; Subscription plans start afterward
2. WordPress – Website Creation
What It Offers:
WordPress is a powerful content management system enabling users to build websites or blogs with customizable themes and plugins.
Pros:
- Highly customizable with themes and plugins
- Good for SEO purposes
- Large community support
Cons:
- Can have a steep learning curve for beginners
- Website maintenance and security are user’s responsibility
Pricing: Free (with optional paid themes and plugins)
3. Canva – Graphic Design
What It Offers:
Canva is a graphic design tool that simplifies creating visual content, such as logos, social media posts, and marketing materials.
Pros:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Thousands of templates
- Free version offers extensive features
Cons:
- Advanced features require a Pro account
- Some templates can feel overused
Pricing: Free basic version; Pro version available
Apps to Set up Your Business
4. Google Analytics – Web Analytics
What It Offers:
Google Analytics gives insights into website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates, essential for marketing strategies.
Pros:
- Deep insights into audience behavior
- Custom reports and dashboards
- Free to use
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
- Setup and feature navigation can be complex
Pricing: Free
5. Mailchimp – Email Marketing
What It Offers:
Mailchimp provides a platform for email marketing campaigns, subscriber lists management, and performance tracking.
Pros:
- Intuitive design and easy to use
- Offers a free tier for small businesses
- Integrations with other marketing tools
Cons:
- Pricing can escalate with subscriber list growth
- Limited automation in the free plan
Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans for advanced features
6. Trello – Project Management
What It Offers:
Trello is a visual project management tool using boards and cards to organize tasks, deadlines, and projects.
Pros:
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Flexible and customizable
- Great for team collaboration
Cons:
- Can become unwieldy with extensive projects
- Limited reporting features
Pricing: Free basic plan; Paid plans offer extra functionality
Apps to Set up Your Business
7. Zoom – Video Conferencing
What It Offers:
Zoom offers video and audio conferencing, webinars, and a virtual meeting room for online collaboration and communication.
Pros:
- High-quality video and audio
- User-friendly interface
- Free tier allows for generous meeting lengths
Cons:
- Privacy and security concerns
- Free tier limited to 40-minute meetings for groups of 3 or more
Pricing: Free basic plan; Pro plans available
Apps to Set up Your Business
8. Wave – Accounting Software
What It Offers:
Wave provides small business owners with free accounting software for invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning.
Pros:
- Completely free for core features
- User-friendly for non-accountants
- Includes invoicing and receipt scanning
Cons:
- Limited third-party app integrations
- Payroll services are paid
Pricing: Free
9. Slack – Team Communication
What It Offers:
Slack facilitates team communication through channels dedicated to specific topics, projects, or teams.
Pros:
- Enhances team communication and collaboration
- Integrates with many productivity and office tools
- Easy to search past messages and files
Cons:
- Can become distracting with constant notifications
- Learning curve to effectively organize channels and workspaces
Pricing: Free basic version; Paid versions for additional features
10. Buffer – Social Media Management
What It Offers:
Buffer is a social media management tool for scheduling posts, analyzing performance, and managing all your social accounts from one place.
Pros:
- Streamlines social media posting
- Analytics for post-performance tracking
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Limited features in the free plan
- Can get expensive as you add accounts and team members
Pricing: Free plan available; Premium plans for advanced features
11. Google Workspace – Productivity Suite
What It Offers:
Google Workspace provides a suite of productivity tools including Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, and more for business operations.
Pros:
- Seamless integration between tools
- Collaborative features in real-time
- Familiar interface for many users
Cons:
- Concerns over data privacy
- Monthly subscription fee per user
Pricing: 14-day free trial; Paid plans thereafter
Apps to Set up Your Business
12. Asana – Task Management
What It Offers:
Asana helps teams manage tasks, projects, and deadlines to improve productivity and collaboration.
Pros:
- Highly customizable task and project views
- Integrates with other apps and tools
- Supports individual task management and team projects
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming with all its features
- Not as intuitive for new users
Pricing: Free basic plan; Premium features available
Apps to Set up Your Business
When the entrepreneurial spirit takes hold, a world of possibility opens. But the practical steps to making your business dream a reality can feel like a maze. With the right tools, the path becomes clear. After part one’s essentials, prepare for the sequel, where we reveal another 25 resources just as vital, just as accessible, to fit the jigsaw puzzle of business setup. Ready to explore more instruments for success? Let’s press on, outlining what’s on offer, and whether it’s on the house or for a handful of coin.
13. Squarespace – Website Builder
What It Offers:
Sleek templates and drag-and-drop tools to build a professional website without the need for coding skills.
Pros:
- Beautiful design templates
- Integrated e-commerce capabilities
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Less control over the site compared to WordPress
- Higher cost than some alternatives
Pricing: 14-day free trial; Paid plans thereafter
14. Hootsuite – Social Media Dashboard
What It Offers:
Schedule posts across various social media platforms, track engagement, and analyze results from a single dashboard.
Pros:
- Centralize your social media management
- Strong analytics tools
- Free tier suitable for small businesses
Cons:
- Interface can be clunky
- Expensive for more robust plans
Pricing: Free plan; Paid plans for additional features
15. HubSpot CRM – Customer Relationship Management
What It Offers:
A robust CRM tool that helps you manage your sales pipeline, track customer interactions, and organize contacts.
Pros:
- Comprehensive feature set for CRM
- User-friendly interface
- Free version is quite expansive
Cons:
- Paid tiers are necessary for advanced marketing tools
- Slightly steep learning curve
Pricing: Free basic plan; Additional features with paid plans
16. Fiverr – Freelance Services
What It Offers:
Access to a wide range of freelance professionals from graphic designers to digital marketers, all in one place.
Pros:
- Diverse range of services and talents
- Easy to use and navigate
- Affordable options to fit various budgets
Cons:
- Quality can vary greatly between freelancers
- Service fees add up
Pricing: Free to join; Pay per project
17. QuickBooks – Financial Management
What It Offers:
Comprehensive accounting software for managing your finances, payroll, invoicing, and more.
Pros:
- Strong features for small to mid-sized businesses
- Intuitive design
- Mobile app available
Cons:
- Can get expensive
- Overwhelming features for non-accountants
Pricing: 30-day free trial; Subscription thereafter
18. SEMrush – SEO Tool
What It Offers:
Complete toolkit for improving your online visibility and discovering marketing insights.
Pros:
- In-depth SEO analysis
- Great for competitive research
- Useful for advertising insights
Cons:
- High price point
- Large range of features can be overwhelming
Pricing: Free basic plan; Paid plans with comprehensive features
Apps to Set up Your Business
19. Typeform – Custom Online Forms
What It Offers:
Creation of interactive surveys and forms that can enhance the user experience and increase engagement.
Pros:
- User-friendly form builder
- Aesthetic and engaging form designs
- Free version offers enough for starters
Cons:
- Limited responses in the free plan
- Paid version required for advanced analysis
Pricing: Free basic version; Advanced features in paid plan
20. FreshBooks – Invoicing and Accounting
What It Offers:
All-in-one invoicing, expense tracking, and time tracking designed for small businesses and freelancers.
Pros:
- Easy to create professional-looking invoices
- Excellent time-tracking capabilities
- Cloud-based software
Cons:
- More expensive than some competitors
- Limited third-party integrations in the free tier
Pricing: 30-day free trial; Monthly subscription plans
21. Upwork – Freelance Marketplace
What It Offers:
Connect with freelancers for any job, from website development to content creation, and manage projects smoothly.
Pros:
- Access to a vast pool of global talent
- Convenient payment system
- Detailed profiles and reviews of freelancers
Cons:
- High service fees
- Competition can make it hard to choose the right freelancer
Pricing: Free to join; Pay per hire, with service fees
22. LastPass – Password Management
What It Offers:
A secure tool to save and manage your passwords, making it easier and safer to access multiple platforms.
Pros:
- Secure encryption for passwords
- Easy to generate and retrieve passwords
- Free version covers essential needs
Cons:
- Premium features needed for advanced use
- User interface can be improved
Pricing: Free basic plan; Premium plan available
23. Moz – SEO Software
What It Offers:
Tools for keyword research, link building, site audits, and page optimization to improve SEO.
Pros:
- Comprehensive features for SEO
- User-friendly keyword research tools
- Informative resources and community
Cons:
- Premium plans can be costly
- Might be more than needed for SEO newbies
Pricing: Free tools available; Pro version for wider SEO capabilities
24. Evernote – Note Taking App
What It Offers:
A place to organize personal and professional notes, ideas, task lists, and inspirations in one accessible location.
Pros:
- Synchs across devices
- Versatile note-taking and organizing features
- Robust search functionality
Cons:
- The free version has limitations on device access
- Premium version required for offline access
Pricing: Free basic plan; Plus and premium plans available
25. Calendly – Appointment Scheduling
What It Offers:
Automates scheduling by allowing clients to see your availability and book their own appointments.
Pros:
- Eliminates back-and-forth emails for scheduling
- Integrates with Google, Outlook, Office 365, or iCloud calendar
- Free tier for basic functionality
Cons:
- More advanced features require a paid plan
- Setting up can be time-consuming
Pricing: Free basic plan; Premium options for advanced features
26. Gusto – Payroll and HR
What It Offers:
Cloud-based payroll, benefits, and human resource management software for businesses of all sizes.
Pros:
- Simple, all-in-one platform for payroll and HR
- Automated tax filings
- Employee self-service portal
Cons:
- Costlier than some competitors
- Limited advanced HR features for the free tier
Pricing: 30-day free trial; Paid tier for full features
27. SurveyMonkey – Online Survey Software
What It Offers:
Create and publish online surveys in minutes, and view results graphically and in real-time.
Pros:
- Intuitive design and user interface
- Variety of survey templates
- Basic free version available
Cons:
- Analysis features are limited in the free version
- Paid plans necessary for deeper insights
Pricing: Free basic plan; Subscription plans for advanced tools
28. GitHub – Software Development Platform
What It Offers:
A development platform inspired by the way you work, from open-source to business, hosting and reviewing code, managing projects, and building software.
Pros:
- Centralized platform for managing code repositories
- Useful for tracking changes and collaboration
- Free tier for public projects
Cons:
- Private repositories are part of the paid plan
- Can be intimidating for non-developers
Pricing: Free for individual use; Paid plans for teams
Apps to Set up Your Business
29. Zapier – Workflow Automation
What It Offers:
Connects your favorite apps and automates workflows, creating efficiencies without the need for coding knowledge.
Pros:
- Easy to create complex automated processes
- Huge app directory for integrations
- Free tier offers a good starting point
Cons:
- More sophisticated zaps require a paid plan
- A learning curve to use it to its fullest
Pricing: Free basic plan; More zaps and features with premium
30. Dropbox – File Hosting Service
What It Offers:
Cloud storage for crucial documents, with the ability to share and collaborate on files.
Pros:
- Access files from anywhere
- Easy to use and set up
- Free plan for basic needs
Cons:
- Free storage limit is quickly reached
- Paid plans are necessary for more storage and advanced sharing
Pricing: Free basic plan; Pro plan for additional space
31. Google My Business – Local Business Listing
What It Offers:
A free tool from Google that helps your business manage its online presence across Google, including Search and Maps.
Pros:
- Boost local SEO
- Direct way to engage with customers on Google
- Completely free
Cons:
- Requires regular attention and update
- The interface can be confusing
Pricing: Free
32. LinkedIn Learning – Online Learning Platform
What It Offers:
Courses across business, creative, and technology fields, from experts and professionals around the globe.
Pros:
- Wide range of topics
- High-quality content from industry experts
- Free month trial
Cons:
- Requires LinkedIn subscription after trial
- Content can be too general at times
Pricing: 1-month free trial; Subscription required afterward
33. Basecamp – Project Management and Team Communication
What It Offers:
Tools to manage projects, work with clients, communicate within your team, and keep everyone on the same page.
Pros:
- All-in-one toolkit
- Great for remote teams
- Flat pricing
Cons:
- Lacks some of the advanced features of other PM tools
- Can be overwhelming for small projects
Pricing: Free version for personal use; Business plan has a flat rate
34. Grammarly – Writing Assistant
What It Offers:
Tool that automatically detects grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, and style mistakes in writing.
Pros:
- Excellent for refining written content
- Free version catches basic errors
- Also offers suggestions for style improvement
Cons:
- More advanced features are behind a paywall
- Sometimes suggests incorrect fixes
Pricing: Free basic plan; Premium services available
35. Etsy – Online Marketplace
What It Offers:
A marketplace specifically for handmade or vintage items and craft supplies, bridging unique small businesses with consumers.
Pros:
- Targeted consumer base for creative products
- Easy to set up a shop
- Seller community and support
Cons:
- Listing and transaction fees
- Competitive marketplace
Pricing: Free to set up; Fees per listing and sale
36. AngelList – Startups & Investment Platform
What It Offers:
A platform for startups to meet investors, with tools to manage job listings and investment opportunities.
Pros:
- Direct link to a network of investors
- Recruitment tools for startups
- Free to join the network
Cons:
- Competitive platform
- Services like syndicates have associated fees
Pricing: Free to join; Other services might have fees
37. Vimeo – Video Hosting
What It Offers:
A high-quality video hosting platform, ideal for adding professional-looking videos to your marketing strategy.
Pros:
- High-quality video resolution
- No ads on your videos
- Innovative privacy options
