When it comes to owning your own business, every little helps. As a small business owner, you might now even be aware of some of the great (and free!) tools available out there to help you run your company and focus on what matters to you.
This is why we've compiled a list of some of the best free tools out there for you to explore.
1) Google Drive
While some of Google's products can get expensive very quickly, there is a range of good quality free ones for you to use. Using these business tools can help your company save money while still getting great services. Google Drive is a free file storage, file sharing, and synchronization service, allowing users to store, share and synchronize files across devices. Getting access to a free cloud-based document platform like this can be invaluable.
As well as Google's office basics like word docs, spreadsheets, and presentations, there are dozens of other free tools to help you track, record, share, and analyze your work with Google. All of this is cloud-based, which means you can access it anywhere (no need for USB drives) and it’s safe. Google's small business tools are easy to use and accessible.
2) Google Analytics (GA)
Another great tool for small owners is Google Analytics. This is very useful for any website owner, regardless of whether they are running an international e-commerce operation or a software start-up. Google Analytics can tell you where your internet traffic is coming from, what users are doing on your website, and even why they leave it. All free of charge.
While there is some learning required to understand the platform and make the most of this free tool, all you need is a few hours to get to grips with the basics and there’s plenty of online tutorials and resources that are also free.
3) Google Search Console (GSC)
GSC is another free offering from Google to help you understand your website's performance. With this, you can check your website's indexing status and optimize its visibility. This can be a useful tool for small business owners, as it lets them view and monitor, and in some cases even fix, server errors, site load issues, and security issues.
GSC is dealing in organic data - anyone who sees your website in Google’s free listings. You can identify what people are searching for before seeing your website and understand how Google assesses your website to improve its performance.
4) Google My Business (GMB)
GMB allows users to manage and optimize their Business Profiles on Google. It will also help you analyze and improve how your brand appears on Google. Have you ever noticed a special collection of certain information displayed down the right-hand side of a Google search results page? This is your Business Profile on Google and if you don’t help Google display the correct information, it will try to make it up on its own. This is why it is best to use GMB and fine-tune it. Help your customers find you and get in touch.
5) Social Media
There is not just one free account or tool here, in fact, most social media platforms have free analytics and insights sections to help you analyze your content’s performance. For example, Facebook Insights will tell you how your Facebook posts are performing to help you tailor messages and reach a wider audience. LinkedIn Analytics can give you an idea of the demographic of your page visitors, engagement rates and reach of your posts, and much more. Using these analytical functions can help your business improve its social media performance and thereby attract new customers.
6) Finance Apps
As you may be aware, there are lots of apps and tools available online to help you manage your finances, track invoices, and produce reports. Find the tool that suits your style and needs best and you will be surprised how much time you can save using its functions. However, some of these tools are not free to use. But at least, most of them offer free introductory periods with a free plan so you can find out what works for you before you decide if you want to commit to a paid version.
Online Business Tools FAQs?
- Is Google Analytics free?
Google Analytics works with a 'Freemium' model, meaning that there is a free version with limited functions. Users that wish to enjoy all functions of Google Analytics have to get a paid plan.
- Is Google Search Console free?
Google Search Console is a free service offered by Google. Users can monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot their website's presence in Google Search results.
- Is Google My Business free?
Users can create their Google My Business profile at no cost and manage their business from Google Search and Maps.
- Is Facebook Insights free?
Facebook Insights is a free analytics tool. It covers over 250 metrics its users can look at.
- Where can I find the best Google Sheets Formulas?
There is several free guides available online, listing the most useful formulas in Google Sheets.