Startups are the best thing since sliced bread and what makes them the best is the dedication and effort behind it. It is important to realize that it’s not only about how great the idea is but also what can be made even from scratch. Getting all the requirements fulfilled and maintaining the decorum at the same time keeps a startup on the right tracks. From funding to building a network, a startup demands multitasking and significant time investment. Coping with the escalation of technology and comprehending its use in the startup ecosystem is essential. Startup founders should be acquainted of free software tools improves efficiency and at the same time saves cost.
In this article, we are going to list a few recommended free tools that startup founders should stick to in their initial days. Here’s the list:
1) Google G Suite :
Google G Suite was first launched on August 28, 2006, as “Google Apps for Your Domain”. It offers a set of familiar applications such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Calendar. All these applications are free, however, there are some premium features that can be added if paid. G Suite’s programming gives the freedom of collaboration that makes it possible for all the team members to work on a project together.
Another feature that catches user’s attention is its secured data storage system. Documents are stored on secured Google data centers. The user gets relieved from downloading documents every time as the data is stored on cloud thus eliminating the risk of documents being lost, stored and damaged.
One of the perks of G Suite is the ability to get a custom email with the user’s domain name. This adds to making communication between team members more professional.
2) Google Keep
Google Keep was launched on March 20, 2013, as a note-taking service developed by Google. If a tight schedule is what’s keeping you from jotting down things then this is the best tool to keep the to-do list updated. It is available on the web as well as on Android and iOS operating systems. The feature of color coding of items allows users to organize documents according to the categories.
3) Slack :
Slack is a messaging app founded by Stewart Butterfield in August 2013. The app assists you in organizing open channels wherein every member can see the latest updates on the project. The private channel feature enables the members to share confidential information within the group.
4) Appoint.ly :
In the initial stages of a startup, there are hundreds of meeting and appointments that need to be tackled and managing them is a chaotic task. Appoint.ly is a simple schedule management tool that takes care of appointments through the click of a button. It takes the tasks based on your calendar and automatically generates the schedules. It is very helpful for any startup founder as one might not know what opportunities await in a meeting.
5) SEMrush :
SEMrush is a software as a service (SaaS) company based in Philadelphia that was founded in 2008 for selling marketing analytics subscriptions. It was founded by Oleg Shchegolev and Dmitry Melnikov as an SEO tool and was later revamped as a SaaS model. SEMrush acquaints the user with relevant keywords by tracking over 100 million keywords in a number of various databases. It also gives you a track for getting a report of researches done by the competitors. It has the tools that help to create long tail keyword phrases that will attract the target audience in your way. It helps in getting the news about product listing ads and accordingly the advertising cost can be finalized.
6) Hootsuite :
Being in constant touch with the social media for the latest updates is highly recommended for start-ups as any update can be taken in favor of the startup. Hootsuite was created by Ryan Holmes in 2008. It connects with prominent networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well as Instagram and WordPress. The interface gives a user the liberty to access business as well as personal accounts. A unique feature which makes it the best in the market is that its library allows access to more than 100 apps such as Youtube, Salesforce, SoundCloud, and Google Drive.
7) Buffer :
Buffer was founded by Joel Gascoigne on November 30, 2010. Buffer is a software application for the web and mobile, designed to manage content and schedule posts to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. It further analyzes the results for a better overall growth of the content. Another feature that makes it a must-have tool is that the buffer extension for chrome allows the user to share links of picture and videos on the web. It also comes with a power scheduler that equips the user with multiple sharing capabilities over a specified period of time.
8) Canva :
Canva is a graphic design tool website founded in 2012 by Melanie Perkins. For image designing, Canva tops the chart. It allows the user to utilize both preset and custom designs and gives them the freedom to use more than one photo in any given design. What makes Canva even more efficient is its flexibility that enables users to download their design in JPG, PNG or PDF format.
9) TweetDeck :
TweetDeck is a social media dashboard that manages Twitter accounts. Since social media remains an integral element of campaigns, awareness can still be made by using Twitter as a platform. TweetDeck has the ability to filter the information and at the same time manage the profile for a scheduled content in the future. It has the ability to manage multiple accounts and offer quick and easy ways to tackle the accounts while posting or liking.
10) Reddit :
Founded Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian on June 23, 2005, Reddit is a platform where registered members submit content to the site, which is then voted up or down by other members. It is known for its unbiased opinions that are entertaining at the same time. Reddit a great platform to research the targeted audience, which can be optimized to strategize a content plan.
11) Trello :
Trello is a web-based project management application founded on September 13, 2011. It gives equips users with an analysis of what work is being done and by whom. The application allows an individual member as well as the whole team to keep a track of events in a project so that decisions can be made on what is useful and most needed for a particular project.
12) Google Analytics :
Google Analytics is a web analytics service that reports website traffic and also keeps a track of online campaigns. It can examine the performance of a website as it tracks the amount of time spent on a website by a user. It also discovers the keywords that led the user to visit the site. With this tool, proper functioning of the website can be analyzed and changes can be done for a better performance.
13) Quora :
Quora is a discussion website where the question is asked and are answered by the community of users in the form of opinions. While building a startup from the ground up, hundreds of questions arise and this can create confusion. For clearing that confusion Quora serves as a perfect platform for personal opinions that can lead to even more creativity.
14) Zapier :
Zapier is a web-based service that allows users to integrate the web applications. It was released in August 2012. It has the ability to connect various apps together for swift functioning. With its powerful technology, the user gets to manage its applications easily. It takes the responsibility of opening the applications according to the work that is to be done.
15) Brand24 :
Brand 24 is a social media monitoring tool designed to help businesses recognize people who have reacted for their products, services and even their companies over the internet. The users can instantly react to the views they get and engage with them through the social media channels they prefer. This tool makes it easier for the user to keep a performance track of the product and therefore interact directly with the reviewers for creating an agreeable solution for the betterment of the product.