Online Tools That Help Run a Business

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Over the years I have always been testing and trying online tools to see if I could somehow make running an online business a little easier. At the top of my wish list was the ability to use a single sign-on for every service I needed to use – integration with Google Apps for business, since that is my email system of choice

I’ll share what I’ve found and how I use the tools. This list will most likely grow longer over time, so I suggest you bookmark this page for future reference.

Online Tools for Business

Accounting Tools

  1. Keeping on top of invoices started to become a real pain once I began to service over ten clients per month. Suddenly the invoice feature in PayPal simply wasn’t efficient enough anymore. Looking for a semi-automated billing solution, I came across Freshbooks and I’m happy to say I haven’t looked back since! Our clients now get automated invoices and reminders if they forget to pay. Besides great features, the system is brand-able, easy to use, plays nice with loads of other apps and comes with an API to boot.
  2. Besides invoicing for services rendered, I wanted to get a better idea of what sort of money was going to come in in the near future. This is where I found Capsule CRM which is a nice and simply CRM to manage any deals or leads I have for the business.

Project Management Tools

  1. By far the biggest challenge to get right is client communication and managing their expectations. Basecamp as an online project management tool has really helped to make the working relationship with our clients transparent. They have access to their projects at any time and can follow progress step by step, which really helps getting things right the first time around.
  2. For internal project management with the developers and designers, we needed something with a bit more oomph than what Basecamp could provide. We tried Trello, which is a really neat visual project tracker. Smartsheet, a system that only spreadsheet junkies will really love, but then settled for Wrike, which seemed to be the most “boring” but functional one out of the three. Their projects-in-folders approach feels like the most natural way to organize clients and projects. Also integrates seamlessly with Google Docs

Digital Marketing Tools

  1. Because the biggest part of the business involves SEO work, Raven Internet Marketing Tools has been fundamental in managing link building campaigns, tracking improvements and creating reports for our clients. Part of the workflow is to have reports generated every month and automatically emailed into the client’s Basecamp project.
  2. Another big help is being a Pro member of SEOmoz. The SEO toolset that they provide you with goes a long way in analysing and optimising client’s sites. Access to their Open Site Explorer tool is included.
  3. For serious link profile research, you can’t pass MajesticSEO without selling yourself short. One of those “must have” tools in your SEO arsenal.
  4. Making your SEO life a bit easier is something SEMrush does with their competitor research toolkit. This tool has provided us and our clients with so many “quick win” opportunities, SEMrush is one of the monthly fees that I pay with a smile on my face.