- PPF Points
- 5,064
When I first started my online business, I quickly realized I needed the right tools and software to keep everything running smoothly. At first, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there. Do I need fancy accounting software? A high-end email marketing tool? Should I invest in a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system right away? It felt like everyone was telling me I needed a ton of stuff.
But after some trial and error, I figured out which tools were truly essential for running an online business. Let me break it down for you:
For any online business, you need a website. If you’re selling products or services, an e-commerce platform is a must. For me, I started with Shopify. It’s user-friendly, has tons of features for small businesses, and integrates easily with other tools.
What I learned:
One of the best decisions I made early on was to invest in email marketing. After a few sales, I realized that email was a direct line to my customers.
I started with Mailchimp, which is easy to use, and it offered a free tier when I was just starting. Later, as my business grew, I upgraded to Klaviyo for more robust features like automated flows, personalized emails, and better segmentation.
Why this is important:
I wasn’t the most organized with finances, and I didn’t want to deal with tax headaches later. That’s when I decided to use QuickBooks for my accounting needs. It automatically syncs with my bank and PayPal accounts, tracks expenses, and generates financial reports.
Why you need this:
Social media is key to driving traffic to your online store. But posting regularly on multiple platforms takes time. That’s when I started using Buffer.
Why Buffer worked for me:
If you’re on a tight budget, Later or Hootsuite are also great alternatives.
Customer service is everything. I didn’t want to lose potential sales or frustrate customers with slow responses. So, I integrated Tidio live chat on my website. It’s free for basic features and helps me respond to customer inquiries in real time.
Why I use live chat:
As my business grew, managing tasks and deadlines became increasingly difficult. That’s when I started using Trello. It’s simple, visual, and allows me to organize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with any team members I bring on.
What I found useful:
SEO is one of those things that feels like a mystery, but I learned quickly that good SEO can make or break your online presence. I use SEMrush to analyze keywords, track my website’s performance, and find new opportunities to improve my search rankings.
Why SEO is crucial:
You’ll also need somewhere to keep your digital assets organized—like logos, photos, and documents. Google Drive is my go-to because it’s free (up to a point) and easy to use. I can share files with collaborators and access them anywhere.
But after some trial and error, I figured out which tools were truly essential for running an online business. Let me break it down for you:
For any online business, you need a website. If you’re selling products or services, an e-commerce platform is a must. For me, I started with Shopify. It’s user-friendly, has tons of features for small businesses, and integrates easily with other tools.
What I learned:
- Shopify was my best bet for an all-in-one platform to sell products, track orders, and manage inventory.
- If you’re on a budget or just starting out, WordPress combined with WooCommerce is a great, cheaper alternative.
One of the best decisions I made early on was to invest in email marketing. After a few sales, I realized that email was a direct line to my customers.
I started with Mailchimp, which is easy to use, and it offered a free tier when I was just starting. Later, as my business grew, I upgraded to Klaviyo for more robust features like automated flows, personalized emails, and better segmentation.
Why this is important:
- Email marketing is one of the highest ROI (return on investment) tools. It allows you to nurture your audience and turn them into repeat buyers.
I wasn’t the most organized with finances, and I didn’t want to deal with tax headaches later. That’s when I decided to use QuickBooks for my accounting needs. It automatically syncs with my bank and PayPal accounts, tracks expenses, and generates financial reports.
Why you need this:
- QuickBooks made it much easier to file taxes and manage cash flow. Even if you’re not an accountant, this software will help you stay on top of things.
Social media is key to driving traffic to your online store. But posting regularly on multiple platforms takes time. That’s when I started using Buffer.
Why Buffer worked for me:
- It allowed me to schedule posts ahead of time, so I wasn’t scrambling daily.
- I could see which posts performed best and adjust my strategy accordingly.
If you’re on a tight budget, Later or Hootsuite are also great alternatives.
Customer service is everything. I didn’t want to lose potential sales or frustrate customers with slow responses. So, I integrated Tidio live chat on my website. It’s free for basic features and helps me respond to customer inquiries in real time.
Why I use live chat:
- Instant responses make customers feel heard and valued. Plus, Tidio lets me set up automated responses for frequently asked questions, saving me time.
As my business grew, managing tasks and deadlines became increasingly difficult. That’s when I started using Trello. It’s simple, visual, and allows me to organize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with any team members I bring on.
What I found useful:
- Trello has boards for every part of the business, from marketing to inventory management. It keeps me organized, even when I’m juggling multiple tasks.
SEO is one of those things that feels like a mystery, but I learned quickly that good SEO can make or break your online presence. I use SEMrush to analyze keywords, track my website’s performance, and find new opportunities to improve my search rankings.
Why SEO is crucial:
- Without proper SEO, you might have a beautiful website but struggle to attract traffic. SEMrush helped me optimize my content so it ranks better on Google, increasing organic traffic.
You’ll also need somewhere to keep your digital assets organized—like logos, photos, and documents. Google Drive is my go-to because it’s free (up to a point) and easy to use. I can share files with collaborators and access them anywhere.