Online entrepreneurship isn’t as simple as people think.
Similar to a brick-and-mortar business, internet entrepreneurs are managing various tasks, like sending relevant customer messages and collaborating with team members. That’s why it’s important to stay organized throughout the entire process.
'Some of us are energized by the chaos. Others of us are totally thrown off by the chaos. For the entrepreneur, it’s important to make sense of the chaos in order to truly succeed,' writes serial entrepreneur Neil Patel.
Use tools to help you manage the chaos. Here’s a roundup (not an exhaustive list) of the best tools for internet entrepreneurs.
1. Trello
Entrepreneurs are never handling one task at a time. They must focus on several projects at once. Project management tools like Trello give business owners the confidence to stay motivated.
Trello keeps your whole team connected with drag and drop cards. Organize multiple projects amongst several people without worrying if someone received your message. Communicate with your team members by adding comments, uploading file attachments, and setting due dates.
2. Buffer
Social media helps spread brand awareness about your business, and it’s key for telling fans about your products and upcoming events.
Share content during peak times with Buffer. This social media management tool also tracks your engagement and conversions.
'If you’re looking for software that is easy to navigate, looks simple, and can make your team more efficient, then Buffer is definitely your key to managing social media,' says Kenneth Waldman, editorial assistant at EssayMama.com.
3. Wistia
Based on Cisco’s Visual Networking Index, global consumer internet video traffic will account for 80% of all consumer internet traffic by 2019. So, if you’re not investing in video marketing now is the time.
Wistia takes your video marketing to the next level. Generate new leads with its Turnstile email collector, and customize the color and controls of your videos. Plus, you can track how each viewer interacts with your content.
4. Intercom
Stay in constant contact with your customers. Conversations ensure that your team is addressing current problems and meeting consumer expectations.
Intercom offers the personal support your customers deserve. Establish a knowledge base for buyers to solve their own problems, or manage support tickets with a help desk.
'With Intercom, all of our customer support conversations happen in one place, and we can automate messages based on complex behavior aimed at making sure our customers are happy and that our service is as effective for each person as possible,' states Corbett Barr, CEO of Fizzle.
5. HostGator
For internet entrepreneurs, online presence means everything for your business to thrive. Websites broadcast your brand image and showcase your products to consumers.
HostGator makes building sites easy with its one-click application installer and templates. Need help? A support staff is available 24/7/365 to answer your questions.
6. HARO
Shape how your target audience views your brand. Earning recognition in publications adds to your credibility and builds trust amongst your followers.
HARO (Help A Reporter Out) connects journalists to a database of sources for their stories. Join the daily email list to sift through potential media opportunities and then send your pitches directly to the journalist.
'When it comes to finding existing media opportunities that make sense for your client or brand, this subscription-based newsletter is the '˜right tool for the job’,' writes Ashley H. Sherman, director of digital media relations at DigitalRelevance.
7. Slack
Communication holds your team together. Entrepreneurs must interact with their co-workers to complete projects and plan future growth.
The Harvard Business Review reports that 'over the past two decades the time spent by managers and employees in collaborative activities has ballooned by 50% or more.'
Slack releases your team from email and improves everyone’s work productivity. Not only can you send direct messages, but you also can start voice and video calls.
8. Square
Keep the sales rolling in with straightforward payment solutions. Thanks to technology, business owners can take payments and track profits without the hassle.
Square offers a variety of software services to manage inventory in real-time, reward repeat customers, and collect customer feedback. Start selling more with the customized business dashboard.
9. Google Analytics
There’s power in understanding data. Analytics helps your team acquire insights from consumer behavior to increase your ROI.
Google Analytics gives you the knowledge to create a better customer experience. Gain a complete picture of how your content and products perform, and permit your team access to shareable reports.
10. Pexels
Content is essential to educating your customer base. You want to attract and maintain their attention.
Vivid imagery can tell your story better. However, most small businesses don’t have the time to capture original photos.
Pexels provides an arsenal of 25,000 free stock photos under the Creative Commons Zero license. Search through their tagged collection to find what works for your brand.
11. Skype
The McKinsey Global Institute found that companies can increase their employees’ productivity by 20-25% by using social technologies. Create the conditions for workers to build trust and earn one another’s respect.
With Skype Meetings, your team can join online conversations from any device. Use the tool to record meetings, share screens, and annotate PowerPoint presentations.
12. HelloSign
Gone are the days of waiting for someone to sign physical paperwork. The digital age has introduced us to electronic signatures.
HelloSign equips your business with the tools to request signatures and receive notifications about your documents. Insert your logo and tagline to enhance the signer’s experience.
'HelloSign’s saved signatures are a timesaver, too, or you can type in a signature, add initials, or fill out a form with text editing. If you’re the one needing to collect another person’s signature, send a document by email right from the app,' states Paula DuPont, a contributing writer at Zapier.
13. FreshBooks
Where’s your money? Accurate accounting ensures that your business maintains profitability, and financial reports are essential to gaining insight on how to move your company forward.
Spend less time on invoicing and focus on serving your customers. With FreshBooks, you can automate several tasks, including organizing expenses and tracking time. Get paid faster by accepting credit card payments from your customers.
14. GoToWebinar
Webinars rank as the second most effective type of premium content for marketers seeking to increase their lead generation efforts. Are you taking advantage of webinars?
GoToWebinar lets you tell your brand’s story and grow your business. During live presentations, you can engage the audience with polls, surveys, and Q&As. Generate a list of engaged attendees and turn those qualified leads into customers.
15. Meetup
Just because your business is online, doesn’t mean you’re limited to communicating with people only on the internet. Some of the best opportunities happen offline.
Meetup lets you experience more in real life. Discover groups in your local area to learn new skills from others. Can’t find one that appeals to your interests? Start your own and find like-minded individuals.
Fill Up Your Toolbox
As an internet entrepreneur, you’re faced with the same challenges as any other business owner. You must manage your team, review data reports, and interact with your target audience.
From accounting to social media management, tools help streamline your company processes. So try a few and take your business to new heights.
Shayla Price creates and promotes content. She lives at the intersection of digital marketing, technology, and social responsibility. Originally from Louisiana, Shayla champions access to remote work opportunities. Connect with her on Twitter at @shaylaprice.
You can include WIRE and FRAMADATE also.
Great article!