Connect with us

Tips for Startups

The Ultimate List of Tools You Need for Business Startups

Published

on

List of Tools You Need for Business Startups

Go beyond web tools such as Google Docs or Drive and find tools that manage more than your files. Business startups have wildly different demands depending on their industry, but these tools seek to assist any entrepreneur with some of them across the board hurdles.

. QuickBooks 

Accounting is a struggle for many companies, and startups don’t usually have the funds available to hire a CPA. The solution for small businesses that need to scale quickly is QuickBooks. Owned by Intuit, QuickBooks has been around for a long time and proven itself as reliable, versatile, and exceptionally valuable. 

For those new to QuickBooks, their website has a wealth of resources available to ensure that you use every function or feature that you could possibly need. What makes this accounting software great for startups is that it’s really an entire accounting department in one system.

You can issue payroll checks and calculate your quarterly sales taxes from the same system. It’s also helpful to know that all of your accounting information is secure and available at any time. Solutions like QuickBooks Cloud Hosting powered by Cloud Desktop Service can be helpful for remote bookkeeping. 

. Slack 

Although Slack can operate as a bare-bones project management system, it works best as a communication platform. As a startup, you’ll likely have people working after they finish their day job, through weekends, or at all hours of the day or night. Startups are known for their flexibility with time and Slack makes that flexibility easy.

You can start a slack account and invite users in for free. It’s a great way to keep your email inboxes clean while also having a documented record of communications between your team. You can separate conversations with different tags, create different “chat room” style environments, and even limit who can be part of which discussions.

You can even set up a specific discussion to track communications or decisions made regarding vendors. Handling issues such as procurement and invoices requires thorough documentation.  

. Asana 

A simple solution that’s all function and no fluff. Asana lets you orchestrate projects on any scale. Create a project that requires input from many users, with several individual tasks, and you can track each contributor progress.

The thing that users really love about Asana is that you have three primary views. First, you see your tasks due soon on the home page, then under another page, you see all of the tasks assigned to the person in a single list. Finally, you can view the entire team’s scheduled assignments on a calendar.

For anyone managing multiple departments or who has a few major projects going on at once, Asana can make life much easier. 

. Pipedrive 

A sales management tool that even startups can afford. Amidst the CRM landscape, it’s easy to focus on getting qualitative data into a numeric format, but the missing element is the actual sales data.  

Pipedrive offers many of the same functions as a CRM, is much more affordable, and it caters to what salespeople need. Your salespeople are likely stretched thinly enough as it is, gives them a hand and let them help your company grow.

As a CRM, Pipedrive does track leads and where a customer is at in your sales funnel. But it helps your salespeople identify where they can act and how they can close the deal with each customer. 

. Google Analytics 

Of all the Google tools that businesses are told they need; Google Analytics is probably the only one that you can’t do without. If you have a website, you need to monitor your traffic and other performance metrics. Google Analytics is the best way to ensure that your marketing campaigns are effective and that your site is performing on the level it should.  

Use Google Analytics to increase conversion rates and achieve your overarching business goals. It’s the only effective way to monitor your website strategies and find problems before they cost you sales.  

. Shopify

Are you really bootstrapping it? Are you bringing together everything you possibly can and using every resource possible? Shopify solves many problems for startups. Through Shopify, you can set up an entire online store, as well as marketing and even shipping. For some companies, Shopify is the only reason that they got off the ground at all.

Not every startup-entrepreneur can manage the interweaving of setting up their own marketplace on their site, coordinate shipping and execute a marketing plan. For the startup owner who’s on their own, Shopify can be a lifesaver.

. Amazon Payments

Have you seen a site that has a handy “Checkout through Amazon” button and it makes checking out so much easier? You can offer that same ease to your customers. Amazon Payments allows businesses to redirect customers to their Amazon account for fast and secure checkout.

This does not mean that your guests are going to Amazon to purchase your products, and you don’t need to be an Amazon store owner or affiliate. Amazon Payments simply provides another secure payment platform for your customers.

. Emma

Campaigns, email marketing, and everything else that fits into your marketing strategy can seem overwhelming. Startups often struggle with building an email list, creating unique and enticing designs, writing content, and they’re often doing all of this without much insight into its impact.

Emma offers email campaign designs as well as full reporting. Essentially you focus on building your email list, and Emma will take care of everything else. You can easily see which email campaigns are useful and which are floundering. If you plan to get into people’s inbox and grab attention, you’ll need help, give Emma a try.

. SumoMe

When it comes to building your email list, you have tools available to help. SumoMe is a tool that builds email lists through web analytics. It performs well beyond its base function of email list building as it also optimizes landing pages and can even increase social shares. SumoMe is a great way to seal the deal on an effective marketing strategy.

Put Your Tools to Work 

All around utility apps such as Evernote and OneDrive are base level tools. You need tools that will make handling your startup easier. Use the tools here to boost the impact of your marketing strategy, connect with customers, make your sales team more productive and streamline communication.

Samantha Wallace is a veteran tech writer and editor who has worked in several eCommerce companies. She has been covering technology online for over five years. She is the Content Advocate for Greenwingtechnology.com.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Tips for Startups

Why Your Startup Needs Digital Media

Published

on

Startup Needs Digital Media

In today’s rapidly evolving, technology-driven business landscape, digital media has become indispensible for startups striving to carve out a robust online footprint, engage with their intended audience, and stimulate growth. Whether it’s via social media, websites, blogs, or online advertising, digital media bestows upon startups a multitude of advantages capable of profoundly influencing their achievements. In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why digital media is imperative for your startup in the current competitive environment.

1. Wider Reach and Visibility:

Digital media allows startups to reach a global audience like never before. With the internet as your platform, your business can be accessible to potential customers from around the world 24/7. This extensive reach can help you expand your customer base and increase brand visibility.

2. Cost-Effective Marketing:

Conventional advertising approaches, like print ads or TV commercials, often pose budgetary challenges for startups with constrained financial resources. Digital media provides affordable marketing alternatives, such as email campaigns and social media marketing. These avenues enable precise targeting of specific demographics, optimizing the effectiveness of your marketing investments.

3. Audience Targeting:

One of the foremost benefits of digital media lies in its capacity for precise audience targeting. By harnessing data-driven analytics and tools, companies like Join the Dots can tailor your messaging and content to align with distinct demographics, interests, and behaviors. This guarantees that your startup’s message reaches precisely the individuals it intends to at the opportune moment.

4. Instant Feedback and Engagement:

Digital media facilitates real-time engagement with your audience. You can interact with customers quickly through social media comments, respond to inquiries via email or live chat, and receive immediate feedback on your products or services. This direct interaction builds customer trust and helps you refine your offerings based on customer input.

5. Brand Building and Credibility:

Having a strong online presence through a well-designed website, active social media profiles, and informative blog content enhances your startup’s credibility and trustworthiness. A professional online presence demonstrates that you are a serious player in your industry, which can attract customers and potential investors.

6. Data-Driven Decision-Making:

Digital media offers invaluable data and analytics tools for monitoring the efficacy of your marketing endeavors. You can gauge metrics like website traffic, click-through rates, conversion rates, and beyond. This approach empowers you to make well-informed decisions, fine-tune your strategies, and allocate resources efficiently.

7. Content Marketing and Thought Leadership:

Through digital media, startups can establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry by creating and sharing informative and valuable content. Blog posts, whitepapers, webinars, and podcasts allow you to showcase your expertise, educate your audience, and build trust over time.

8. Scalability and Flexibility:

Digital media strategies are highly scalable and adaptable. As your startup grows, you can expand your online presence and marketing efforts accordingly. Whether you’re a small team or a rapidly expanding enterprise, digital media allows you to adjust your strategies to meet your evolving needs.

Conclusion

Digital media stands as a fundamental element of success for startups in the contemporary business landscape. Its capacity to reach a broad audience, cost-effectiveness, precision in targeting, and data-driven insights render it an indispensable asset for growth. By embracing digital media and harnessing its benefits, startups can establish a solid foundation for enduring success and confidently navigate the competitive terrain. Whether you belong to the tech startup realm or a traditional brick-and-mortar business, the integration of digital media into your strategy is imperative in today’s digitally-driven world.

Continue Reading

Tips for Startups

Best Product Packaging Strategies For Startups

Published

on

Product Packaging Strategies

Hey entrepreneurs, launching a startup can be a lot of work! You stress about funds, operations, and team building. And while you prioritize product development, packaging may take a back seat, right? But did you know that it drives the buying decision for 72% of Americans? That’s surprising, but true.

And it also means that product packaging is one of the ways to stand out and grab customers’ attention in a cutthroat world. That’s a good reason to go the extra mile to nail a strategy. So, if you’re wondering how to make your package pop without breaking the bank, we’ve got some killer tips for your startup.

Here is what you need to know to win an incredible unboxing experience for your customers.

Know your target audience

You’ve got to know your target audience to create a successful product. And the same applies to packaging. Who are you trying to reach and sell? What are their preferences? What would they want in the product package?

By understanding your target customers, you can pick an option that speaks directly to them. For example, if your target audience is health-conscious millennials, choose a minimalist and eco-friendly one that emphasizes your product’s sustainable ingredients.

Focus on customer experience

Your product packaging is more than a pretty face. It’s also about enhancing the customer experience. Think about how you may create a memorable unboxing process.

Consider adding unique features, such as easy-open lids, tear strips, or resealable packages. By making the components easy to access, you get the benefits of brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

Consider what’s inside

That’s a no-brainer because your product determines the packaging material. Things are easy if you sell a single offering, but CBD entrepreneurs may struggle to choose different materials for different products.

For example, you will need a tincture bottle, boxes, mylar bags, cartridges, and tin containers for different items in your portfolio. Additionally, you’ll have to ensure that they are child-resistant and preserve the flavor and aroma of the components.

Be sustainable

As a startup brand, you can gain a lot by joining the sustainability bandwagon, and packaging is a good place to start. Buyers care more than ever about the environmental impact of products and brands.

So eco-friendly packaging options are surely ideal. Prioritize biodegradable materials and minimize excess packaging. It’s the best way to make your offerings pop in a market saturated with competition.

Branding is key

Remember that your packaging is a crucial part of your brand identity. So ensure that it aligns with your company’s values and messaging. It should replicate your brand’s color schemes, fonts, and imagery.

The text labels should also match your brand’s personality and tone. The idea is to remind buyers of your brand every time they see the product on the shelves.

Is packaging a big deal? Yes, it actually is when it comes to the product packaging for your startup. You’ve got to ensure it makes a great first impression and drives a buying decision. Well, there are no shortcuts to winning the packaging game. But you can try these tips to ace it!

Continue Reading

Tips for Startups

What Startups can learn from the Special Forces of Armies around the world

Published

on

What Startups can learn from the Special Forces

Startups and special forces of armies may seem to have very little in common. However, upon closer examination, there are several key lessons that startups can learn from these elite military units. Special forces teams are highly trained, flexible, and able to operate in rapidly changing environments. Startups, too, must be able to pivot quickly in response to market changes and evolving customer needs. In this article, we will explore several key lessons that startups can learn from special forces teams.

Lesson 1: Build a strong team

Special forces teams are composed of highly skilled and specialized individuals who work together to achieve a common goal. Similarly, startups must build a strong team of individuals with diverse skills and backgrounds who can work together to bring their products or services to market. A successful startup team should have a mix of technical, business, and creative skills to ensure that all aspects of the business are covered.

Special forces teams also place a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication. They must be able to work together seamlessly, and each member must understand their role and responsibilities within the team. Startups can learn from this by fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication within their team.

Lesson 2: Adapt quickly to changing environments

Special forces teams are often deployed in rapidly changing environments, where they must adapt quickly to new situations and changing conditions. Similarly, startups must be able to pivot quickly in response to market changes and evolving customer needs. This requires a high degree of flexibility and agility, as well as the ability to quickly assess and respond to new information.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mindset of constant adaptation and improvement. They should be willing to experiment and iterate on their product or service, and be open to feedback from customers and other stakeholders.

Lesson 3: Embrace risk and uncertainty

Special forces teams operate in high-risk and uncertain environments, where the stakes are often very high. They must be willing to take calculated risks and make difficult decisions under pressure. Startups, too, must be willing to embrace risk and uncertainty in order to succeed. They must be willing to take chances and make bold moves, even in the face of uncertainty.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mindset of calculated risk-taking. They should be willing to experiment and try new things, while also being mindful of potential risks and taking steps to mitigate them.

Lesson 4: Focus on the mission

Special forces teams are highly focused on achieving their mission, which is often critical to national security. Similarly, startups must be highly focused on their mission and vision, which should guide all of their decisions and actions. This requires a clear understanding of the company’s purpose and goals, as well as a strong sense of commitment to achieving them.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mission-driven approach to their business. They should be clear about their purpose and goals, and ensure that all of their decisions and actions are aligned with these objectives.

Lesson 5: Train and prepare rigorously

Special forces teams undergo rigorous training and preparation in order to be able to perform their duties at the highest level. Similarly, startups must invest in training and preparation in order to build a strong and capable team, and to ensure that they are able to execute on their mission effectively.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by investing in training and development programs for their team members. This includes technical training, as well as leadership and management development. By investing in their team members’ skills and abilities, startups can ensure that they are well-prepared to succeed in a competitive and rapidly changing business environment.

In conclusion, startups can learn a great deal from special forces teams of armies around the world. By building a strong team, adapting quickly to changing environments, embracing risk and uncertainty, focusing on the mission, and training, Startups can achieve goals that may seem impossible at first.

Continue Reading

Trending

Subscribe to our Free Newsletter

Get Business and Marketing Insights from Experts, only onTimes of Startups!

Your Information will never be shared with any third party