As an entrepreneur launching a startup, you're bombarded with tools, apps, and services for design, marketing, operations, and sales. The sheer volume can overwhelm bootstrapped founders juggling multiple roles. Drawing from insights shared by thousands of 99designs users—the world's largest online graphic design marketplace—and top small business influencers, we've curated affordable or free essentials to streamline your workflow.
Related: 16 tools you need to be a badass business
We uncovered 68 startup tools in our 99designs blog. Here are eight favorites that deliver real impact.
For collaboration and communication:
1. Slack
Slack revolutionizes team communication with channels for topics, one-on-one chats, and centralized search. Ditch endless emails for quick exchanges—saving hours weekly. Its mobile app and integrations with popular tools are seamless. Premium voice/video features shine, but the free tier suits most early-stage teams.
2. Google Hangouts
Ideal for video calls within the Google ecosystem, it's free and Gmail-integrated. Setup is effortless, though confirm compatibility with third parties lacking Google Workspace.
Project Management:
3. Trello
Trello's visual boards, lists, and cards make task organization intuitive and collaborative. Perfect for projects, brainstorming, or agendas. Freemium model provides robust free features for small teams.
4. Asana
I've relied on Asana to build my e-commerce site, coordinating remote developers across time zones. Its intuitive interface empowers quick onboarding and efficient workflows.
Presentations:
5. Prezi
Craft dynamic, zoomable presentations that captivate investors. Best for big-picture-to-detail structures. Pair with GIPHY GIFs or free public domain images from top stock sites to ditch clichéd visuals.
Planning and Schedules:
6. Calendly
Eliminate email back-and-forth for meetings. Share your link for self-scheduling with buffer rules and auto-invites. Embed a widget on your site for easy demos. Core features are free.
7. x.ai
AI assistant Amy Ingram handles scheduling via email, probing for details seamlessly. CC her on threads; she jumps in. Free for up to five meetings monthly.
Other Administrative Assistance:
8. HelloSign
Digitally sign legally binding docs like NDAs and contracts—no printing required. Free for up to three documents monthly, a contractor's essential.
This is just the start—new tools emerge daily. What can't you live without? Related: 11 Epic Life Hacks from Crazy Successful Entrepreneurs
