The 20 best tools for starting your own business

When it comes to starting your own business, having the right tools can make the difference between success or failure. From drafting professional contracts and taking meetings with clients, to staying on top of your inbox and all the day-to-day administrative tasks involved with running your own business, ensuring you have the right tools in place will not only help you manage your workflow, it can also help you maximize profits.

But, not all tools out there are created equal. Some are better than others for a particular type of task, while others are better for solopreneurs as opposed to teams. And, not every business will need every particular type of tool. When it comes to choosing the best tools for starting your business, here are some things to keep in mind.

Type of business

As mentioned above, not every business will have a practical need for every type of tool. Before investing in a particular tool, consider carefully if what you do is a fit for the function of the tool. For example, a small brick-and-mortar shop is less likely to need for an email marketing tool than an ecommerce website. A service provider may not need an expensive camera to take product shots. And a one-person-shop may find a complex project management system to be overcomplicated and overwhelming for their needs. Keep in mind the type of business you’re starting when looking around at tools.

Size of business

The size of your operation will also impact the types of tools you may use. If it’s just you, you might find you can skip many of the tools that are best for collaboration. And maybe you don’t need a payroll tool with all the bells and whistles. On the other hand, it might also be worth checking out their features and functionality just in case you have plans to scale your business.

Budget

One final, yet very important, consideration when shopping around for the best tools to start a business is the cost. After all, you don’t want to be shelling out too much money on all these various tools before you’re bringing some in. Many of the tools on our list have free versions or free trials, to let you get a sense of the tool before investing in a paid or premium version. Oftentimes, the free version of these tools is more than sufficient for most people just starting out in business. Sure, some features may be limited, but it’s often worth the trade-off for an affordable option.

From creating your business plan and building your brand, to engaging with your clients and keeping track of sales and inventory, having the right tools can help entrepreneurs increase their productivity, free up time, and even offer a better experience for their customers. Using the right tools for your small business to the fullest can sometimes be the difference between success and failure.

With all of that in mind, here are 20 of the best tools for starting your own business.