Building a startup is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. You're juggling dozens of tasks, wearing multiple hats and trying to keep everything organized. I remember those early days - the late nights, worrying about missing important details, and struggling to keep track of clients and finances.
That's why I decided to write this guide. Over the years, I've learnt that having the right tools can make a huge difference to running a startup efficiently.
So let me share with you 9 essential tools and resources that every new entrepreneur should consider investing in. But I won't just list categories - I'll provide specific examples for each type of tool, giving you a solid starting point for your own research.
*Quick disclaimer - this is not an exhaustive list - so if you're not happy with the tools, feel free to do some more research and find the tool that suits your needs.*
Let's dive in!
That's why I decided to write this guide. Over the years, I've learnt that having the right tools can make a huge difference to running a startup efficiently.
So let me share with you 9 essential tools and resources that every new entrepreneur should consider investing in. But I won't just list categories - I'll provide specific examples for each type of tool, giving you a solid starting point for your own research.
*Quick disclaimer - this is not an exhaustive list - so if you're not happy with the tools, feel free to do some more research and find the tool that suits your needs.*
Let's dive in!
1. Project management tools
A proper project management tool is a must if you want to build a successful product. These digital platforms are essential for organizing tasks, tracking progress and collaborating with your team members.
Project management tools serve as a central hub for all business operations, and for me - they replace scattered to-do lists and the feeling of missing or forgetting something.
Project management tools serve as a central hub for all business operations, and for me - they replace scattered to-do lists and the feeling of missing or forgetting something.
How a project management tool can help you
• Organize tasks
Breaks down projects into manageable tasks.
• Collaboration
Allows communication and file sharing between the team.
• Timeline Management
Tracks project schedules, deadlines and milestones.
• Resource allocation
Assigns and manages resources.
• Progress tracking
Visualizes project progress and identifies bottlenecks.
• Workflow automation
Automates repetitive tasks and notifications.
Breaks down projects into manageable tasks.
• Collaboration
Allows communication and file sharing between the team.
• Timeline Management
Tracks project schedules, deadlines and milestones.
• Resource allocation
Assigns and manages resources.
• Progress tracking
Visualizes project progress and identifies bottlenecks.
• Workflow automation
Automates repetitive tasks and notifications.
Examples of project management tools
• Trello: Intuitive board-based interface, ideal for visual thinkers.
• Asana: Balance of features and simplicity.
• Monday.com: Colourful, customizable boards focused on collaboration.
• ClickUp: Versatile platform with multiple views and customization options.
• Notion: Combines project management with note-taking.
Powerful STARTUP RESOURCES• Asana: Balance of features and simplicity.
• Monday.com: Colourful, customizable boards focused on collaboration.
• ClickUp: Versatile platform with multiple views and customization options.
• Notion: Combines project management with note-taking.
2. Communication tools
Communication tools are a must for new entrepreneurs to stay efficient and communicate well with your team members. This is especially important if you don't see your team every day or if your team is spread across the globe.
What I personally like most about these tools is that they reduce email and meeting overload and speed up information sharing. No more "Hey, let's jump into a meeting and talk about this" - you can save that time and clarify it in a chat.
What I personally like most about these tools is that they reduce email and meeting overload and speed up information sharing. No more "Hey, let's jump into a meeting and talk about this" - you can save that time and clarify it in a chat.
How do communication tools help you?
• Instant messaging
Chat directly with your team members. No long emails back and forth.
• File sharing
You can quickly share documents, pictures and other files.
• Video conferencing
If you need to, you can make a quick call without any further setup. This is something I personally loved, as I never liked tools that required you to set up a meeting with guests and a specific time in advance.
• Channel organization
You can group conversations and people by topic, project or department to avoid spam and ensure everyone gets the information they need.
• Searchable history
You have a record of all chats and communications for future reference. No need to search your inbox for that one email with that one specific content.
Chat directly with your team members. No long emails back and forth.
• File sharing
You can quickly share documents, pictures and other files.
• Video conferencing
If you need to, you can make a quick call without any further setup. This is something I personally loved, as I never liked tools that required you to set up a meeting with guests and a specific time in advance.
• Channel organization
You can group conversations and people by topic, project or department to avoid spam and ensure everyone gets the information they need.
• Searchable history
You have a record of all chats and communications for future reference. No need to search your inbox for that one email with that one specific content.
Examples of communication tools
• Slack: Known for its channel-based messaging and integration options.
• Microsoft Teams: Video conferencing and integration with Office365.
• Mattermost: Open source alternative that offers data control.
• Microsoft Teams: Video conferencing and integration with Office365.
• Mattermost: Open source alternative that offers data control.
3. Customer relationship management
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a company's central nervous system for managing customer interactions. Yes, you can work without a CRM system, but as soon as you want to scale, there is no way around it.
That's why I recommend that entrepreneurs implement a CRM early on, because it lays the foundation for scalable customer relationship practices.
For example, if you document your customer interactions in Excel, you will quickly lose track of leads or forget to follow up with existing customers. A CRM system helps you avoid this problem.
That's why I recommend that entrepreneurs implement a CRM early on, because it lays the foundation for scalable customer relationship practices.
For example, if you document your customer interactions in Excel, you will quickly lose track of leads or forget to follow up with existing customers. A CRM system helps you avoid this problem.
What do CRM platforms do?
• Contact management
Organizes customer information in one easy-to-access place.
• Sales pipeline tracking
Visualizes and manages the progress of sales opportunities.
• Task automation
Reduces manual effort by automating repetitive tasks and follow-ups.
• Customer interaction history
Logs all communications for a complete view of each customer.
• Reporting and analytics
Provides insight into sales performance and customer behaviour.
Organizes customer information in one easy-to-access place.
• Sales pipeline tracking
Visualizes and manages the progress of sales opportunities.
• Task automation
Reduces manual effort by automating repetitive tasks and follow-ups.
• Customer interaction history
Logs all communications for a complete view of each customer.
• Reporting and analytics
Provides insight into sales performance and customer behaviour.
Examples of CRM tools
• HubSpot CRM: Offers a free tier, ideal for companies just starting out.
• Pipedrive: Iintuitive interface and focus on sales pipeline management.
• Zoho CRM: Comprehensive suite of business tools.
• Freshsales: Designed for simplicity with AI-powered insights to drive sales.
• Insightly: Combines CRM with project management capabilities
Worksheets, templates and more• Pipedrive: Iintuitive interface and focus on sales pipeline management.
• Zoho CRM: Comprehensive suite of business tools.
• Freshsales: Designed for simplicity with AI-powered insights to drive sales.
• Insightly: Combines CRM with project management capabilities
4. Website builders
Building an effective website can be expensive - if you code everything yourself or hire an external team. It can also be a hassle if you want to make changes quickly and have to ask an external team to do the work.
Website builders solve this problem and are essential tools if you want to build an online presence quickly and affordably. What I like most about these tools is that their drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates allow you to create professional-looking websites without extensive coding skills.
Website builders solve this problem and are essential tools if you want to build an online presence quickly and affordably. What I like most about these tools is that their drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates allow you to create professional-looking websites without extensive coding skills.
What do website builders do?
• Visual design
Provides drag-and-drop interfaces for easy layout creation.
• Template selection
Offers a variety of pre-designed templates for different industries.
• Responsive design
Ensures websites look great on all devices.
• Content management
Allows easy updating of text, images and other content.
• eCommerce integration
Allows you to set up online stores with payment processing.
• SEO tools
Includes features to optimize your site for search engines.
• Analytics
Provides insight into visitor behaviour and site performance.
Provides drag-and-drop interfaces for easy layout creation.
• Template selection
Offers a variety of pre-designed templates for different industries.
• Responsive design
Ensures websites look great on all devices.
• Content management
Allows easy updating of text, images and other content.
• eCommerce integration
Allows you to set up online stores with payment processing.
• SEO tools
Includes features to optimize your site for search engines.
• Analytics
Provides insight into visitor behaviour and site performance.
Examples of website builders
• Weblfow: My personal recommendation and the tool I have been using for 5 years. Easy to use, no coding required.
• Squarespace: Offers sleek, modern templates.
• WordPress: Offers a good balance of simplicity and customization options.
• Squarespace: Offers sleek, modern templates.
• WordPress: Offers a good balance of simplicity and customization options.
5. Email marketing software
One of the best ways to effectively reach your customers is through email. Email marketing software provides a direct line to your audience so you can nurture leads, build relationships and drive sales.
Unlike social media or paid advertising, emails give you complete control over your message and audience, with higher engagement rates and a better return on investment.
Unlike social media or paid advertising, emails give you complete control over your message and audience, with higher engagement rates and a better return on investment.
What does an email marketing software do?
• Contact list management
Organize and segment your email subscribers.
• Email campaign creation
Provides tools for designing attractive, responsive emails.
• Automated email sequences
Set up timed series of emails to nurture leads.
• Personalization
Tailor content based on subscriber data and behaviour.
• A/B testing
Comparing different email versions to optimize performance with A/B testing.
• Scheduling
Schedule and send emails at optimal times for engagement.
• Subscription forms
Create subscription forms to grow your email list.
Organize and segment your email subscribers.
• Email campaign creation
Provides tools for designing attractive, responsive emails.
• Automated email sequences
Set up timed series of emails to nurture leads.
• Personalization
Tailor content based on subscriber data and behaviour.
• A/B testing
Comparing different email versions to optimize performance with A/B testing.
• Scheduling
Schedule and send emails at optimal times for engagement.
• Subscription forms
Create subscription forms to grow your email list.
Examples of email marketing software
• Mailchimp: Easy to use platform with a generous free level for small lists.
• ConvertKit: Designed for bloggers with powerful automation features.
• Brevo: Marketing suite including email, SMS and chat.
• Constant Contact: Known for its event management features.
• Drip: Focuses on ecommerce email marketing.
• ConvertKit: Designed for bloggers with powerful automation features.
• Brevo: Marketing suite including email, SMS and chat.
• Constant Contact: Known for its event management features.
• Drip: Focuses on ecommerce email marketing.
6. Social media marketing tool
Social media is an important channel for brand visibility and customer engagement, but I know first-hand that managing multiple platforms can be a time-consuming task for business owners.
Posting consistently, creating engaging content and responding to audience interactions across different networks can be time consuming.
Social media marketing tools allow you to plan ahead, maintain a consistent brand voice across platforms and engage with your audience more efficiently.
Posting consistently, creating engaging content and responding to audience interactions across different networks can be time consuming.
Social media marketing tools allow you to plan ahead, maintain a consistent brand voice across platforms and engage with your audience more efficiently.
Examples of email marketing software
• Content scheduling
Schedules and automates posts across multiple social platforms.
• Visual content creation
Provides templates and tools to create eye-catching graphics.
• Content calendar
Provides a bird's eye view of your social media strategy.
• Social listening
Monitors brand mentions and relevant conversations.
• Team collaboration
Allows multiple team members to contribute and approve content.
• Hashtag research
Suggests relevant hashtags to increase post visibility.
• Performance tracking
Measures the impact of your social media efforts.
Schedules and automates posts across multiple social platforms.
• Visual content creation
Provides templates and tools to create eye-catching graphics.
• Content calendar
Provides a bird's eye view of your social media strategy.
• Social listening
Monitors brand mentions and relevant conversations.
• Team collaboration
Allows multiple team members to contribute and approve content.
• Hashtag research
Suggests relevant hashtags to increase post visibility.
• Performance tracking
Measures the impact of your social media efforts.
Examples of social media marketing tools
• Hootsuite: Comprehensive platform for managing social networks.
• Buffer: Easy-to-use tool known for its intuitive scheduling interface.
• Sprout Social: Social media management and customer care features.
• Later: Specializes in visual scheduling, particularly useful for Instagram.
• Planoly: Focuses on visual planning for Instagram and Pinterest.
Powerful STARTUP RESOURCES• Buffer: Easy-to-use tool known for its intuitive scheduling interface.
• Sprout Social: Social media management and customer care features.
• Later: Specializes in visual scheduling, particularly useful for Instagram.
• Planoly: Focuses on visual planning for Instagram and Pinterest.
7. Online scheduling tools
When leads want to talk to you in person, emailing back and forth to find a time that works for both of you is ineffective. As a business owner myself, I know how online scheduling applications can improve a business owner's day-to-day operations. They've saved me hours and reduced the stress of managing my calendar.
What do online scheduling apps do?
• Automate booking
Allow clients to book appointments based on your availability.
• Calendar synchronization
Connects to your existing calendar to avoid double booking.
• Time zone management
Automatically adjusts to different time zones.
• Customizable booking rules
Set buffer times, booking limits and availability windows.
• Reminders and notifications
Sends automated reminders to reduce no-shows.
• Group scheduling
Facilitates booking for group events or team meetings.
Allow clients to book appointments based on your availability.
• Calendar synchronization
Connects to your existing calendar to avoid double booking.
• Time zone management
Automatically adjusts to different time zones.
• Customizable booking rules
Set buffer times, booking limits and availability windows.
• Reminders and notifications
Sends automated reminders to reduce no-shows.
• Group scheduling
Facilitates booking for group events or team meetings.
Examples of online scheduling applications
• Calendly: Known for its clean interface and easy setup.
• Acuity Scheduling: Offers robust features including payment processing.
• SimplyBook: Focuses on service-based businesses.
• YouCanBook: Offers a simple booking page with customization options.
• Doodle: Focuses on group scheduling and poll-based time selection.
• Acuity Scheduling: Offers robust features including payment processing.
• SimplyBook: Focuses on service-based businesses.
• YouCanBook: Offers a simple booking page with customization options.
• Doodle: Focuses on group scheduling and poll-based time selection.
8. Accounting software
One of the reasons why entrepreneurs fail is because they do not understand their expenses and income. This is why a proper accounting software is a must.
Such a tool will help you maintain professional financial records without the need for extensive accounting knowledge or the immediate expense of hiring a professional accountant.
Such a tool will help you maintain professional financial records without the need for extensive accounting knowledge or the immediate expense of hiring a professional accountant.
What does accounting software do?
• Financial tracking
Records all financial transactions, including income and expenses.
• Report generation
Generates various financial reports to assess the health of the business.
• Tax management
Assists with tax calculations and preparation for filing.
• Invoicing
Generates and manages professional invoices for clients.
• Invoice payments
Tracks and facilitates timely payment of business expenses.
• Cash Flow Monitoring
Provides real-time insight into business cash flow.
• Budget planning
Helps to create and manage business budgets.
Records all financial transactions, including income and expenses.
• Report generation
Generates various financial reports to assess the health of the business.
• Tax management
Assists with tax calculations and preparation for filing.
• Invoicing
Generates and manages professional invoices for clients.
• Invoice payments
Tracks and facilitates timely payment of business expenses.
• Cash Flow Monitoring
Provides real-time insight into business cash flow.
• Budget planning
Helps to create and manage business budgets.
Examples of accounting software
• Wave: A free, easy-to-use option ideal for very small businesses.
• QuickBooks Online: Scalable plans for growing businesses.
• FreshBooks: Intuitive interface and excellent invoicing features.
• QuickBooks Online: Scalable plans for growing businesses.
• FreshBooks: Intuitive interface and excellent invoicing features.
9. Startup Success Bundle
The Startup Success Bundle is the resource I wished I had when I started. Since there is nothing like it out there, I decided to build it myself. It's my answer to founders who get stuck in the process or make critical mistakes that cost their business.
I've distilled everything I've learned from working with over 50 startups and some of the world's Fortune 500 companies into this proven system.
From finding your idea and developing your product, to building a happy customer base and achieving sustainable revenue.
I've distilled everything I've learned from working with over 50 startups and some of the world's Fortune 500 companies into this proven system.
From finding your idea and developing your product, to building a happy customer base and achieving sustainable revenue.
What you will achieve with the Startup Success Bundle
• Find and validate your business idea.
• Understand your audience to build a strong foundation for growth.
• Build a service that amazes customers and keeps them long-term.
• Find the marketing channels that get you new customers.
• Determine the best price for your product to make maximum revenue.
• Continuously increase revenue without getting more customers.
• Avoid the key mistakes that kill 90% of startups.
The Startup Success Bundle is your guide when you're stuck, don't know what to do next, or simply want to take your business to the next level with proven strategies used by the pros.
Check it out!
• Understand your audience to build a strong foundation for growth.
• Build a service that amazes customers and keeps them long-term.
• Find the marketing channels that get you new customers.
• Determine the best price for your product to make maximum revenue.
• Continuously increase revenue without getting more customers.
• Avoid the key mistakes that kill 90% of startups.
The Startup Success Bundle is your guide when you're stuck, don't know what to do next, or simply want to take your business to the next level with proven strategies used by the pros.
Check it out!
