From experience
Tech tools we use that are great for a growing business
Starting a business is an exciting journey, and having the right tools in your corner can make all the difference. Whether you're launching a new business or looking to expand your empire, there’s a ton of tools that can streamline your operations, boost productivity, and set the stage for long-term growth.
Finding the right tools to run and grow your business can be hard with so many options out there. That’s why it’s always helpful to get recommendations from people who actually use them—here are some of our favorites:
Finances
Of course we are going to start with the financial stuff! You may be tempted to start with spreadsheets or other free tools, but if you can fit it into the budget, it’s really helpful to start with the professional stuff and we recommend Quickbooks online. It’s easily the most used software, so you will have a lot of people “speaking your language” when you talk to bookkeepers, accountants or if you go looking for support. You can also start with a more simple version and upgrade as your business grows! Check it out here!
Passwords
At this point, if I had to function without a password vault, I’d never survive. Keep your passwords, security answers and other little info safe and at your fingertips. Best of all, when you have passwords in a vault, you can actually use the safer, more complicated passwords they recommend and not use your dog’s birthday over and over. We use Keeper Security because it’s also great at securely sharing info among a team. Check it out here!
Social Media / Marketing Content Creation
We love Canva. Create social media and marketing content, fliers, business cards, email signatures and more. Start with a free account, and upgrade to Pro later. Sync with your social media to schedule content. Integrations with lots of popular apps like Mailchimp, Shopify, Klaviyo and more. Check it out here!
Appointment Scheduling
Trying to coordinate a simple meeting time can be ridiculously complicated. We use OnceHub, which allows you to block out recurring availability (or unavailability) and it integrates with Google Calendar, Outlook, Zoom and Zapier so you can streamline your workflow. Check it out here!
Payroll / HR
Payroll can be intimidating! Gusto is our number one recommendation for all payroll, HR and benefits transactions. Automate payroll and tax filings, compliance alerts, employee onboarding, track PTO and time off requests, track hours and get detailed reports. Check it out here!
E-Commerce
Shopify is a great tool to manage your online store without being overly technical. It’s set up to work well no matter what size your business is. Manage your inventory, gift cards, and get detailed sales reports. Check it out here!
Google Drive
Share files with clients or your team safely and securely. They offer different levels of storage based on your budget and needs. Multiple users can work simultaneously and changes are saved automatically. When I say we use this multiple times a day, it’s no exaggeration. Check it out here!
What tools, apps or software do you use that makes you feel like you have your shit together? Let us know all the hits and misses in the comments!