10 Small Business Startup Tools You Can’t Live Without

Starting a small business? Congrats! You're about to ride the entrepreneurial roller coaster. But before you buckle in, let's talk about the tools that can make this wild ride a bit smoother. Whether you're juggling tasks, designing marketing materials, or managing your finances, having the right tools can save you time, money, and a few grey hairs. Read on to discover the top 10 small business startup tools that every budding entrepreneur in the UK should have in their toolkit.

Criteria for Selection

We’ve considered affordability (because who likes spending more than they have to?), ease of use (so you don’t need a PhD in tech), and effectiveness (because why bother otherwise?). These tools are not just popular; they’re practical and have rave reviews from actual users.

1. Trello

Organise Your Chaos with Ease

Trello is the project management tool that turns your chaotic to-do list into a beautiful, colour-coded board of dreams. Using boards, lists, and cards, Trello helps you organise and prioritise tasks visually. Whether you're brainstorming, planning a project, or tracking progress, Trello keeps it all in one place. Plus, it's free (though premium versions are available if you want to get fancy).

User Tip: Set up a Trello board for your weekly tasks and watch your productivity soar.

2. Canva

Design Like a Pro Without the Price Tag

Canva is the graphic design platform that makes everyone look like a design genius. With its drag-and-drop interface, you can create everything from logos to social media posts without breaking a sweat. Canva offers a free plan with plenty of templates, but if you want access to more advanced features, there's a premium version.

User Tip: Use Canva's brand kit feature to keep your brand colours and fonts consistent across all your designs.

3. Wave

Keep Your Finances in Check

Wave is the free financial software that makes managing your business finances a breeze. From invoicing and accounting to receipt scanning, Wave covers all the bases. It's especially great for small businesses that need to keep track of their finances without spending a fortune on accounting software.

User Tip: Sync Wave with your bank account for real-time updates on your financial status.

4. Mailchimp

Master Email Marketing

Mailchimp is the go-to email marketing tool for small businesses. With its user-friendly interface, you can design, send, and track email campaigns effortlessly. The free plan gives you access to basic features, while the premium plans offer advanced options like A/B testing and automation.

User Tip: Use Mailchimp's analytics to track open rates and see which emails resonate most with your audience.

5. HubSpot

Grow Better with HubSpot

HubSpot offers a suite of tools designed to help businesses grow. From a free CRM to email marketing and customer feedback, HubSpot has everything you need to manage your business relationships and drive growth. It's the Swiss Army knife of business tools.

User Tip: Integrate HubSpot with your website to capture leads directly into your CRM.

6. Slack

Communicate Like a Boss

Slack is the communication platform that brings teams together. With real-time messaging, file sharing, and integration with other tools, Slack makes collaboration a breeze. Whether you're working remotely or in the office, Slack keeps everyone on the same page.

User Tip: Create channels for different projects and teams to keep conversations organised and focused.

7. Shopify

Sell Anything, Anywhere

Shopify is the e-commerce platform that lets you set up an online store and sell products with ease. With various pricing plans, Shopify caters to businesses of all sizes. From inventory management to payment processing, Shopify handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on selling.

User Tip: Use Shopify's analytics to track your sales and understand your customers' buying behaviour.

8. Zoom

Meet Virtually, Connect Personally

Zoom is the video conferencing tool that needs no introduction. With high-quality video and audio meetings, collaboration tools, and webinars, Zoom is essential for remote meetings and virtual events. The basic plan is free, but there are premium options for more extensive features.

User Tip: Record your Zoom meetings for reference and to share with team members who couldn't attend.

9. Hootsuite

Dominate Social Media

Hootsuite is the social media management tool that helps you schedule, manage, and monitor your social media content across multiple platforms. The free plan is perfect for individuals, while the premium plans offer more features for businesses.

User Tip: Use Hootsuite's analytics to measure the performance of your social media campaigns and adjust your strategy accordingly.

10. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)

Productivity Powerhouse

Google Workspace is the all-in-one suite of productivity and collaboration tools. From Gmail and Calendar to Drive and Docs, Google Workspace has everything you need to keep your business running smoothly. Plans are designed for businesses, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.

User Tip: Use Google Workspace's collaboration features to work on documents and projects in real-time with your team.

Pricing and Accessibility

Most of these tools offer free plans or trials, making them accessible to small businesses with tight budgets. Paid plans are available for those needing advanced features, with pricing typically based on the number of users or level of functionality.