Tools and resources for small businesses

As a small business owner, you wear many hats and have a lot on your plate. Fortunately, there are a variety of online tools and resources available to help you streamline your operations, market your business, and stay on top of industry trends. Here are some of our favorite small business tools and helpful links:

1. Accounting Tools Keeping track of your finances is essential to the success of your business. QuickBooks and Xero are popular cloud-based accounting software programs that can help you manage your finances, including invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll.

2. Email Marketing Tools Email marketing can be a powerful tool to promote your business and stay in touch with your customers. Mailchimp and Constant Contact are popular email marketing platforms that offer a variety of features, including email templates, automation, and analytics.

3. Social Media Management Tools Social media is a great way to connect with your customers and build your brand. Hootsuite and Sprout Social are social media management tools that allow you to schedule and publish posts, monitor your social media accounts, and track your performance.

4. Website Builders Having a website is crucial for your business to establish an online presence. Wix and Squarespace are website builders that offer easy-to-use templates and drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to create a professional-looking website without any coding knowledge.

5. Small Business Administration (SBA) The SBA is a federal agency that provides resources and support to small businesses. Their website offers a wealth of information on starting and growing a business, including access to loans and grants, counseling, and training programs.

6. SCORE SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free mentoring and education to small business owners. Their website offers a variety of resources, including webinars, articles, and templates, to help you start and grow your business.

7. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) SBDCs are centers that provide assistance to small businesses in their local communities. They offer a variety of services, including counseling, training, and networking events.

8. Google My Business Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to manage your business's online presence across Google, including search and maps. You can update your business information, respond to customer reviews, and post updates to your profile.

9. Canva Canva is a graphic design tool that allows you to create professional-looking graphics for your business, including social media posts, flyers, and presentations. They offer a variety of templates and design elements that you can customize to fit your brand.

10. Google Analytics Google Analytics is a free tool that allows you to track your website traffic and measure your online marketing efforts. You can see how visitors are finding your website, what pages they are visiting, and how long they are staying on your site.

These are just a few of the many small business tools and resources available online. By taking advantage of these resources, you can save time, stay organized, and grow your business.