The 30 Best Tools for Startups: Empowering Early-Stage Success

Congratulations on following your dream and starting a new business. If it hasn’t happened yet, you’re soon about to have that ‘What have I done’ moment. It happens to everybody. The good news is that there isn’t a reason to panic because you’ve started this journey at the perfect time.

There are a wealth of tools available to help you find your footing and grow your dream. And they are all only a few clicks away. In this article we’ll look at 30 of the most popular, and helpful, tools for startups.

1. Marketing Insights

Coupler.io
Data and analytics are all some people live for. But they can feel scary and confusing for everyone else. That’s where Coupler.io comes in. This is a one-stop analytics platform that can be easily integrated with a bumber of business-necessary tools.

It’s never been easier to connect, sync, and automate data outputs from Excel and Google Sheets. And it can export the information in formats that can be quickly imported into tools like Google Analytics 4 and BigQuery

Having this type of data in an easily accessible format can help you to make smart business decisions.

2. Marketing

Influencer Hero 
This is a popular marketing platform that can help you integrate and manage campaigns. It features:

• A robust CRM
• Discovery filters
• Automated outreach services
• AI-driven customization levels
• Reporting
• Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce platform integration

If you have an e-commerce component to your business now, or one planned for the future, this can be the tool to help you establish your marketplace and then scale.

3. Chatbots

WotNot
In a remote, or hybrid work situation, internal communication can be a challenge. WotNot helps teams from 2 to 200 stay connected with a user-friendly interface. 

One of the best parts about this program is that you don’t need to be a seasoned developer to build additional chat bots and then scale them. It can even be used externally so your customers always have a point of instant connection.

4. Data Integration

Airbyte
Many companies have teams work on their desktops and then upload assets to the cloud.  It’s efficient, especially for remote workers, but it also has the potential for data to be missing, misplaced, or over-written. Airbyte takes away that concern by helping to sync data across platforms and devices. It helps eliminate the concerns over lost files and versions that are mis-aligned. Airbyte is extremely flexible so that it can work seamlessly with whatever data-infrastructure you establish.

5. Field Service Managment

FieldServicely
Field service management has never been easier thanks to FieldServicely. This full-service management platform is integral to scheduling and reporting. Particularly for companies that have teams in the field.

Use it to dispatch work units, automate workflows, and allow teams to track their time allin a central location.

6. AI tools

Artworkflow
On Artworkflowhq.com your design and creative teams can collaborate, manage their projects, automate certain tasks and more all with the intent to make their workday more efficient. When they spend less time on schedules and other similar tasks they can spend more time creating your brand identity.

7. Executive Search

iSmartRecruit
If you want to bring in top-tier executives to help grow your business you’ll need a top-tier way to do that. iSmartRecruit is an executive search tool that can take the lead in building a team to take you to the top.

8. Centus

Localization Management
Centus can help businesses quickly go global with its robust localization management software. It’s not just a translation tool but a full suite of tools for project management. In a global economy the Centus team can help you stay competitive. 

9. AI tools

AiTools
Streamline your creative process and workflow with AiTools. It is actually an entire suite of services and tools that can be used to facilitate the entire creative process. One of the strongest benefits it offers is in how it can help reduce errors so that your creative output maintains a consistently high level of quality.

10. Social

HypeAuditor
The world of social media moves fast and if you don’t have a dedicated social media manager, HypeAuditor can be the next best thing. It houses tools like an Instagram Engagement Calculator so that you can take a data-driven approach to posting.

11. Employee Gifts

ShaneCo
You knew as you started the business you would be required to work odd hours and at times take a leap of faith. And somehow you convinced some people to come along with you. But always remember they are helping you to achieve your dream so it might be nice to acknowledge what they bring to the table.

Engraved gifts from Shane Co. are a great way to do that. You could get an engraved:

• Ring
• Bracelet
• Necklace
• And more to celebrate an employee anniversary or first big sale

These are not just gifts that you pick up on the way to work, they are truly unique tokens you can use to celebrate the others on this journey.

12. Chat Tools

Sceyt
If you need a more powerful chat tool, consider Sceyt. This is an in-app chat componant that easily connects to your system via an API.

Sceyt’s affordable price point makes it a popular service for startups and small businesses.

13. Ad Management

Magicbrief
You need customers (of course) so you need to advertise (of course) but that can be difficult. The process of creating an ad can be engaging but the management of placing it, particularly across social channels, can be daunting.

That’s what Magicbrief is for. It can:

• Track your ads
• Analyze the performance of competitors ads
• Download ads from the Facebook ad library

14. Digitizing Logo Files

FormX
FormX harnesses the power of AI in business-ready ways. For example it uses it to transfor PDFs to JSON. It’s a process that would involve a manual deconstruction and then reconstruction of your files. Now you can save time and effort and get the same quality result. 

15. Marketing

MailChimp
Customer communication is always an important part of business but it takes on an added level of urgency when you are just starting out. That’s where Mailchimp can help. This all-in-one marketing platform is like having a full-marketing department.

16. Screen Recording

Veed
If you’re trying to create a video for a sales presentation or if you want to post a “How-To” on your social channels you need Veed. This powerful screen recording software makes it easy not just to record but to prepare files for editing.  

17. AI Video Script Generator

Livestorm
Up your video production capabilities with a professional video script. The free video script generator from Livestorm is an ideal way to set your video shoots up for success. You don’t have a lot of time in your day so having a solid video script means you’re only doing things once.

18. Infographics

Venngage
Why say it when you can show it? In fact on some social platforms visual communication is expected so create great infographics with Vennage.

19. Popup makers

involve.me
Popups can be a good way to foster engagement on landing pages which can optimize conversions from campaigns. The popups developed with involve.me can be easily added to any site, regardless of the technology it’s based on.

20. TalentManagement

DevSkiller
Your company may be small now but it’s going to grow and you need to be ready to bring the people on when it does. DevSkiller is there for you.

• Build existing teams
• Manage talent growth
• Develop career assessments
• Set career paths
• Hire new talent

DevSkiller allows you to focus on skills and personality, while it manages the HR details.

21. Communication 

Hive
How many companies fail because of mis-communication or a mis-understanding around what’s needed and when? Hive can eliminate all of that.

It is a project management and collaboration platform that’s based in the cloud making it ideal for remote workforces.

With Hive you can:

• Manage projects
• Assign tasks
• Set teams
• Share files
• Provide real-time updates
• Message team-members instantly

22. Financial Management

Wave
Stay ontop of your accounting needs (including invoicing) with Wave. (Extra bonus: It’s available at no cost!)

24. Design Resources

Freepik
Until you can build out your team, you’ll need to wear many hats, including that of a designer. Freepik can help you create polished graphics.

24. Project Management

NiftyPM.com
If you want a simple, easy project management tool take a look at NiftyPM. One of the reasons it is so popular is that it uses an easy to view visual layout.

25. Virtual Meetings

Zoom
Zoom is the premier virtual meeting tool. There is a base level that’s free or you can move to a paid version to host webinars and larger meetings.

26. Podcast Creation

Podcastle
Having a podcast is almost an expected part of doing business now and they are easy to create with Podcastle. This is an AI-powered audio editing tool that you can use to record and edit your latest episode.

27. CRM

Zoho CRM
Tie together all of your sales communication and analytics needs with Zoho CRM. 

28. Legal

Zegal
You’re going to have legal questions. A lot of them. Some are best suited for an experienced lawyer. For things like contract creation and execution you can look into Zegal.

This platform lets you collaborate with other members of your team and even with clients.

29. Human Resources

Workable
Find, and hire, the best talent for your growing team with Workable.

30. Customer Support

Help Scout
Will you have time to manage customer questions (or concerns)? Help Scout is an easy-to-use program that can help you make sure that no customer inquiry is missed.

31. Ad Tracking & Optimization

RedTrack
Get the most out of your campaigns with the Conversion API solution from RedTrack. This tool, which can be integrated into the leading ad networks, can bolster your ad optimization and reporting efforts.

Finding the Right Tool(s) For Your Team

As a startup, the right tool could mean the difference between profitability and dropping into the red. These 30+ tools cover all aspects of a business’s potential needs. There are tools you can use now and ones that you can call on as you start to grow. What’s important is that you equip yourself for success in a way that works best for you and your business goals.