If you are starting a new small business, or becoming a freelancer, you have a lot to think about and a lot to do. It’s a great feeling to become your own boss but there are some risks and it can be expensive. Luckily there are loads of digital tools out there designed to make your new work life easier. We’ve put together a list of some of the best free apps and tools for you here.
1. Trello
What is it? A super straightforward to-do list with easy task management. Trello is a favourite for freelancers, agencies, and other small businesses, because even the free version gives them exactly what they need.
Who will love it? List addicts and people who like to keep their tasks and projects organised.
A paper to-do-list may work for a while, but when your job list starts growing, you’ll need a smarter way of managing them and staying organised. Trello is a simple task management tool which helps you organise and order your jobs with clean, colourful cards and lists. If a deadline changes, you can just move the cards around, and if you win a new client, you can create a list specifically for them and keep everything in one place.
It’s all dragging, dropping, and a bit of typing – easy!
2. Clockify
What is it? Time tracking software that syncs across devices to show you exactly where your time is being spent.
Who will love it? Small businesses or freelancers with a lot to do and no love for admin.
Time really is money and spending too much time on a job means you’re losing money!
Accurate time tracking means you won’t undercharge or overcharge for your work. You’ll also be able to see all your projects’ progress, and how much you have left to spare when you’re pitching for new work. The key to not wasting time is knowing where you’re wasting it.
Clockify’s timekeeping dashboard is the epitome of organised, you’ll know exactly where your tasks are at a glance! Synced to both desktop and mobile, it breaks down your hours, days, and weeks. Track your time, break down the data, and turn timesheets into a doddle.
3. Solna
What is it? More than just an invoicing tool, Solna does all the admin for you. It helps you track your income and gets you paid faster.
Who will love it? Freelancers and small businesses with lots of invoices and no time to chase them!
For some small businesses and freelancers, getting paid means sending email attachments and mailing A4 pieces of paper. It sounds simple, but it can end up being a big admin job without the right help.
If you want to get paid on time, smart invoicing is the only way to go. Solna helps you create stunning, branded invoices, send automatic payment reminders to those pesky late payers, and track every invoice until it’s in your account. All invoices come with read receipt, so no more chasing random accounts people either!
Solna is packed with clever features to help freelancers and small businesses whether they’re new to the game or not.
4. Coconut
What is it? A free current account for freelancers, the self-employed, and small businesses, that also takes care of the accounting and tax.
Who will love it? Anyone that dreads financial admin.
Traditional accounting packages and business bank accounts haven’t kept up with the fast-paced way we work today. Coconut addresses this by combining banking and accounting in one simple product.
A Coconut account gives you a debit card, transfers, and simple online statements, as well as some fast, helpful extras. Coconut helps you stay organised by categorising your business expenses and sending you instant notifications when you spend to remind you to snap the receipt. It also gives you helpful tips about what you can and can’t claim, helping to maximise savings on your tax bill. What’s not to love?
5. Headspace
What is it? Easy meditation you can do in five or 10 minutes.
Who will love it? Everyone who has a busy mind; i.e. all of us.
Headspace isn’t designed for freelancers or business owners specifically, but some quiet mindfulness is something we could all do with.
The app has hundreds of short meditation sessions designed to help with stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. If you struggle to switch off this is the app to download. You can try 10 sessions for free before you decide to pay for a subscription.
These apps are a huge help for getting your new small business off the starting blocks. They’ll help you: organise your new work life, get your admin done quicker, get paid and find some relaxing me time. And if you need help in another area there’s very likely to be an app for that too!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Inna Kaushan is co-founder of Solna, a smart invoicing platform powered by credit score data. Solna speeds up the invoicing and payment process for freelancers and small businesses. Through leveraged credit data that is overlaid on the platform’s invoicing and reporting functionality, users get a clear picture of their customer’s financial health and their overall exposure to risk. The system’s automated credit control functionality automatically chases overdue invoices – freeing up time and ensuring faster payment.
Web: https://solna.io/
Twitter: @solna_io