Small businesses have historically operated with limited resources to compete with major players in their industry. But rapid technological advancements over the last few decades are slowly closing the gap. Now, small business owners have access to the same powerful tools used in big companies to grow. From project management to communication to accounting services, these tools play a key role in facilitating business operations.

But choosing the right tools is a challenge in itself. We’ve compiled a list of essential tools in three key categories to help small business owners thrive.

Productivity

Productivity tools can help small businesses to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance collaboration. Here's a short overview of some standard productivity tools:

1. Project management

Project management tools are software applications that help plan, organize, and track projects from start to finish. They provide a single platform where employees can prioritize tasks and ensure projects get completed on time.

2. Communication and Collaboration

Communication and collaboration tools facilitate efficient information exchange and teamwork. Tools like email, instant messaging, and video conferencing are essential for improving team coherence and efficiency.

3. Accounting

Accounting has always been a daunting task for small business owners. Accounting tools can simplify financial management tasks and save time. They offer features like expense tracking, invoicing, and bookkeeping. These features can help small businesses stay financially organized. We recommend online accounting software from FreshBooks to help you choose one of the many options available. It stands out as one of the best cloud-based accounting software options for small businesses, featuring a user-friendly interface

4. Social media management

Social media is a full-time job, so small businesses should rely on tools that can make that job more manageable. Social media tools offer features like scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, analyzing performance, and managing multiple social media accounts from a centralized platform.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is critical for protecting small businesses from threats and data breaches. Not having reliable cybersecurity solutions can put your financials and reputation at risk. Here are some essential tools small businesses can implement to enhance their security posture:

1. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

By encrypting internet traffic, VPNs safeguard sensitive data from hackers. They provide secure remote access to business networks, allowing employees to work remotely while maintaining data integrity.

2. Cloud storage

Cloud storage offers small businesses robust cybersecurity measures to protect their valuable data. With advanced encryption protocols, data is securely stored and transmitted, safeguarding against unauthorized access. Cloud storage also provides backup and disaster recovery options, mitigating the impact of cyberattacks or data breaches.

3. Password manager

Dealing with passwords can be a nightmare for small business owners. Password managers are an excellent solution to the problem, providing strong password generation and storage. Employees can access all their accounts in one place without having to remember complex passwords.

Customer relationship management (CRM)

Building positive customer relationships is an integral part of business growth. Customer relationship managementtools are designed to help businesses manage their interactions and customer relationships. They enable small businesses to organize customer data, track sales activities, improve customer service, and optimize marketing efforts. Here are the most common types of CRM tools:

1. Operational CRM

Operational CRM tools are popular solutions designed to streamline various customer-facing business processes. They are mainly used in sales, marketing, and customer service activities. Most operational CRM platforms cover multiple functions.

For example, business owners can use them to schedule and dispatch field technicians or manage leads to boost sales. With all of these functions, they improve the customer experience by reducing lead time and offering effective complaint resolution capabilities.

2. Analytical CRM

Analytical CRM tools analyze customer data to gain insights and make data-driven decisions. These tools can help businesses prioritize actions that will bring maximum engagement and benefit to the customer. This also helps small businesses to improve overall performance through improved marketing strategies.

3. Mobile CRM

Mobile CRM tools provide small businesses with on-the-go access to customer data and CRM functionalities. These tools enhance productivity, enable real-time engagement, and support remote work for small business professionals.

Large corporations are already on board the remote work train. It’s only a matter of time before small businesses catch up. Being able to handle CRM functions flexibly makes mobile CRM solutions a valuable tool for the future.

Final thoughts

Small business owners have a ton of work to do. The tools covered in this article will help alleviate some, if not most, of that load, so owners can focus on growth rather than keeping the boat afloat. If used correctly, technology can make a significant impact, from invoice management to customer retention.

It’s also worth noting that we’re only a decade into the business digitalization revolution. Who knows what other tools and capabilities small business owners can use in just a few years?