What software do I need for my new business?
When starting your business journey, you might not be thinking too much about what software you will be using to make your life easier. But sooner or later, it will pop up.
It’s good to be prepared because you don’t want to be too invested in a systems that is too expensive, or full of enterprise level features you don’t need. In addition, having an idea of what software you need will help with budget planning, because costs can blow out unexpectedly.
Some tips when researching software for your business
- Make a list of what you think you might need
- Figure out what you’re willing to pay for and what you’ll be using regularly
- Find freemium alternatives for rarely used functions
- Make use of trials to evaluate suitability
- Ensure you are focusing on software solutions that align with your main goals
A list of the essentials
Here’s a sound starting point to get you started on your journey.
Content and social media
- Buffer
- Hootsuite
- Facebook Creator Studio
- Grammarly
- HubSpot
- PlanThat
Communication
- Grammarly
- Gmail
- Outlook
- Apple Mail
Website
- WordPress
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Shopify
- Big Commerce
Marketing and Automation
- HubSpot
- MailChimp
- Active Campaign
Sales and CRM
- HubSpot
- Active Campaign
- Zoho CRM
- Agile CRM
Digital Advertising
- HubSpot
- Google Ads
- Ad Espresso
Collaboration and task management
- Trello
- TeamWork
- Slack
- Monday
File Sharing
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
Design and Graphics
- Canva
- Adobe CC Express
- Adobe Premier Rush
Image Sourcing
- Unsplash
- Pexels
- Pixabay
- Dreamstime
- Adobe Stock
- iStock
Analytics
- HubSpot
- Google Analytics
- UberSuggest
- SEOMoz
- Google Trends
Stay tuned for our guide on building your small business tech stack.
