There is no question that the internet has made our lives simpler and more enjoyable. Today, many small businesses rely on the internet for marketing, sales, and customer feedback. However, the convenience of online tools can also pose dangers if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s important to maintain a good balance between efficiency and safety when using these tools.

Wondermill

Wondermill is a cross-platform email marketing platform that allows you to create campaign funnels and automate email marketing. The tool also integrates with Google Maps, allowing you to view customers’ locations and click through to their profiles.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that’s simple to use, then wondermill is a great choice. With your own Amazon Prime account and a free trial, you can’t go wrong.

MailChimp

Mailchimp is the world’s #1 marketing platform, and it’s a tool small businesses love to hate. Why? It’s incredibly simple to use, offers lots of free features, and allows you to create beautiful email templates that are highly optimised for mobile viewing. You’ll find all kinds of guides and tutorials on how to use this tool effectively for both marketing and sales.

On the downside, Mailchimp does retain a bit of a tech savvy requirement. You’ll need to have some familiarity with email marketing and programming.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is another cross-platform social media manager that helps you to manage your social media accounts from a single location. Similar to Wondermill, Hootsuite is also simple to use and offers a free version with advanced features. However, Hootsuite does require a bit of a learning curve and familiarity with programming.

It’s essential to keep in mind that your customers are accessing your site from all kinds of locations and devices. If you want to engage with your audience wherever they are, then Hootsuite is a great option. Not only will you be able to access your audience on the go, but you can use the platform to schedule posts and engage with your followers.

Mikogo

Mikogo is a tool that provides a centralised marketplace for freelance transcriptionists to find clients. Similar to Odesk and Upwork, you can use the platform to find the right person for the job and get your voice heard by potential customers. With a qualification in voice over and a great sense of humor, you can be rest assured that you’ll enjoy working with Mikogo.

On the downside, this is a bit of a hidden gem. While the platform is completely free, you’ll need to earn some credibility to get freelance jobs. If you don’t want to spend your time promoting yourself, then consider an alternative option.

HubSpot

Hubspot is a business management tool that allows you to create and maintain marketing, sales, and customer feedback tools from a single location. Similar to Buffer and Hootsuite, Hubspot is also a cross-platform tool that integrates with Gmail and Google Maps, making it easy to access and visualize customer data.

This is one of the more complex options on this list, but the convenience and power of Hubspot is undeniable. Not only can you create beautiful email marketing campaigns and schedule automatic replies to customers’ messages, but you can also use the platform to track marketing performance and ROI. If you’re looking to simplify your marketing and are looking for a reliable and safe platform, then Hubspot is a great option.

Like most of the tools on this list, Hubspot also does require a bit of a learning curve and some familiarity with programming. But the convenience of the platform makes it worth it.

Cacoo

Cacoo is a web-based project management tool that integrates with Gmail and Google Docs to allow you to create and edit project plans and schedules from a single location. When you’re working on a project with other people, it’s essential to have everything planned and communicated clearly. That’s why this tool has become so popular in project-based organisations.

Cacoo allows you to create task lists, monitor progress, and get task notifications. Similar to Trello and Backpack, Cacoo also has a mobile app that makes project management on the go a possibility. However, Cacoo is relatively unknown outside of project management circles, so you’ll need to seek professional advice before you use the tool.

The downside to Cacoo is that it does require a bit of a learning curve. Not only do you need to have some familiarity with project management and communications, but you’ll also need to have some coding experience for the software.

Salesforce

Salesforce is the world’s #1 CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software that provides a centralised database for customer information and relevant offers. Similar to Hubspot, Salesforce is also a cross-platform tool that integrates with Gmail and Google Maps, making it simple to access and visualize customer data.

This is another platform similar to Hubspot that provides a lot of functionality and comes with a wealth of features. Similar to Cacoo and a few of the other tools on this list, Salesforce also has a mobile app, which means you can access all of its features from anywhere. However, more and more businesses are realising the value of having all of their data in one place, which is why we’re seeing this tool gain popularity among smaller businesses.

The downside to Salesforce is that it does require a bit of a learning curve. Not only do you need to have some familiarity with CRM and the concept of customer data, but you’ll also need to have some familiarity with SQL, the database engine that powers Salesforce. If you don’t have a technical background, then consider an alternative option.

JIRA

JIRA is a software tool that provides a centralised issue tracking and project management system that can be used for bug reporting, project planning, and task distribution. Similar to Redmine and Trello, JIRA also has a mobile app that makes it easy to access and use the tool while on the go. In a nutshell, JIRA is a bit like Trello with the added benefit of being able to track issue progress and work allocation.

The downside to JIRA is that it does require a bit of a learning curve. Not only do you need to have some knowledge of issue management and project management, but you’ll also need to have some knowledge of programming for the web or mobile app.

OptinMonster

OptinMonster is the world’s #1 Facebook Ad manager, and it’s a tool small businesses can benefit from with minimal effort. Similar to a few of the other tools on this list, OptinMonster is also a cross-platform tool that allows you to create and manage ads across all of your social media accounts from one place. You’ll find all kinds of guides and tutorials on how to use this tool effectively for both marketing and sales.

It’s important to remember that your customers are accessing your site from all kinds of locations and devices. If you want to engage with your audience wherever they are, then OptinMonster is a great option. Not only will you be able to access your audience on the go, but you can use the platform to schedule posts and engage with your followers.

The downside to OptinMonster is that it does require a bit of a learning curve. Not only do you need to have some knowledge of Facebook marketing and ad management, but you’ll also need to have some background in programming.

HubSpot Blogger

HubSpot Blogger is a free plugin that allows you to create and manage blogs within your HubSpot marketing platform. Similar to a few of the other tools on this list, HubSpot Blogger is also a cross-platform tool that integrates with Gmail and Google Maps, making it easy to access and visualize customer data.

Not only can you create a blog within HubSpot, but you can also set up automatic content to be published on a regular basis. Similar to Cacoo and a few of the other tools on this list, HubSpot Blogger also has a mobile app, making it a possibility to access all of its features from anywhere.

One of the major benefits of HubSpot is the software’s incredible in-house blogging platform. While it might seem like a bonus to be able to create a blog within the tool itself, the level of support offered by HubSpot is unrivaled. If you’ve never used a free blogging platform before, then HubSpot’s in-house blogging platform is something to consider.