7 Essential Tools for Startups

As a new business owner, gaining access to the right tools early on can make or break the success of your startup. At their conception, new businesses have a lot of potential. A majority of the nation’s businesses are small independently-owned-and-operated companies. In fact, 75% of the country’s manufacturing firms have less than 20 employees. The difference between those that succeed and those that fail is in part about the tools and resources they choose to invest in to help their business grow.

Regardless of what industry you’re in, results-driven tools can prove to be the key to making your startup shine. There’s a never-ending parade of business tools and resources on the market in 2016, but these are the 7 most essential tools that you’ll need to focus on to help your startup succeed.

Proudly display your brand with Squarespace Logo.

As you’re developing your startup, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make early on is the design of your logo. Squarespace Logo makes creating a great logo with plenty of brand recognition simple, quick, and easy. Although they don’t offer options for extremely detailed logos, it’ll work perfectly for brand new companies who are just establishing their identities. Be sure to include your company name, tagline, and a unique recognizable symbol.

Cover your legal bases with Shake.

Legal documents are an unavoidable part of starting any new business venture. Whether you’re developing client contracts or writing up nondisclosure agreements, Shake is a great option for taking care of your basic legal needs. Shake has a library of templates that you can edit and customize, as well as the option for creating your own documents. Be sure to have your business lawyer double check your work, just to be on the safe side.

Keep tabs on your page visitors with SumoMe.

Website traffic is one of the most important metrics you’ll need to keep track of as you develop your new business. SumoMe is an easy way to keep tabs on the users who visit your website. Capture emails, build your contact list, and track what your customers are doing when they visit your page. SumoMe offers analytic heat maps, a list builder, sharing options, and a number of other services to help drive and track your website traffic. It’s compatible with most websites, including WordPress, Shopify, and more.

Keep your employees from slacking off with Slack.

Slack is a communication tool that allows employees to chat, share ideas, and discuss business issues. It’s available on mobile devices, meaning you can easily communicate on the go. Organize communications into different channels and manage multiple conversations at the same time, without worrying about accidentally crossing lines. You can also create private channels and send personal messages, allowing you to keep sensitive conversations confidential.

Recruit top talent with Recruitee.

Hiring new employees for your startup can be extremely nerve-wracking. It can be difficult to know where and how to promote your job opportunities in order to ensure that you’re reaching top talent. Recruitee makes the process simple with its employee brand editor, which allows you to highlight your company, promote your job on the 800+ integrated job boards, and track all of your candidate information. The app is mobile-friendly, meaning you don’t have to stop recruiting just because you’re not at your desk. What’s more, you can categorize candidates to suit your needs, by making them as “applied”, “interviewed,” or “hired.”

Keep crucial information in one place with Slimwiki.

As you hire new employees and bring on new clients, having all of your key information in one place can make for a smooth and cohesive transition. Some companies create wikis for storing and sharing their information and resources; however, these can often becoming overly bulky, and end up taking up more database space and time than they’re worth. With Slimwiki, you get access to great layouts, simple drag-and-drop placement, and exportable data without all of the extra baggage. If you’re looking to create informational pages that are simple and beautiful, Slimwiki is the way to go.

Provide on-demand customer service with ClickDesk.

Top-notch customer service is crucial, no matter what industry you’re in. ClickDesk allows you to set up live chat, helpdesk, and voice and video tools that your company can use to support your customers. Setup is easy, and can happen in as little as two minutes! Additionally, ClickDesk offers a variety of beautiful customizable themes. Chat systems can even be integrated with Google Talk, allowing you to respond to your customers’ needs no matter where you are.

Start your business on the right track to ensure your future success.

These tools were designed with new businesses in mind, and can help you make the most of your business functions. Stay one step ahead of the curve by investing in the tools you’ll need to ensure the effectiveness and profitability of your startup.

Have you tried out any of these tools? Do you have a success story using another great resource or app? Share in the comments below! And if you’re looking for a way to optimize your cash flow management and acquire the funds you need to help your startup grow, contact MP Star Financial today!