These days, building a website isn’t enough to grow an online business. To save time, get organized, and scale your business, you’re going to need good tools.
At WPMarmite, we’ve been using WordPress since 2011. But we know a website is just one piece of the puzzle. Whether you’re managing clients, sending newsletters, tracking projects, or automating tasks, the right tools and software can make a real difference in your day-to-day work.
The problem is, there are tons of tools out there. CRM, email marketing, project management, invoicing, SEO… It’s hard to know where to start, let alone which tools are actually worth it.
That’s why we’ve put together this page with the main categories of tools for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and freelancers. The goal is to help you find the tools that can actually make your work easier, without burying you under dozens of options.
Browse the categories below to find the tools that could become your business’s new best friends.
Note: We’re currently working on the pages listing the must-have tools. A grayed-out box means our picks are still in the works. Thanks for your patience!
Keep all your leads and customers in one place to track sales opportunities and grow your revenue.
Automate email campaigns to turn your leads into customers and build a loyal audience.
Project management
Organize your tasks, collaborate with your team, and keep track of your projects’ progress.
Invoicing and accounting
Easily create estimates and invoices and simplify your business paperwork.
Social media management
Schedule and publish your social media posts to save time and stay consistent.
Password managers
Store and secure all your logins in a digital vault.
AI tools
Generate content, automate repetitive tasks and boost your productivity with AI.
Backup and cloud storage
Back up your files and use online storage to easily share documents with your team or clients.
Web analytics
Analyze your website traffic to understand your visitors and improve your results.
Customer review management
Easily collect, manage, and respond to customer reviews to boost your online reputation and win new leads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? Check out the FAQ below to find answers.
What tools do you need to run an online business?
It depends on your business, but some tools have become must-haves for running a business online:
- a CRM to manage your customers
- an email marketing tool to communicate with your audience
- invoicing software to handle your paperwork
- a project management tool to organize your work
On top of that, you might add SEO tools, web analytics software, or communication and marketing tools (email marketing, social media, AI) to get your name out there and automate certain tasks.
Do you need several tools to run your business?
Yes, in most cases. No single tool can do everything perfectly. For example, you’ll often use one tool for email marketing, another for invoicing, and a third for project management.
The key is to pick tools that work well together so you don’t waste time.
Are there free tools to help you get started?
Yes, many tools offer a free plan or a free trial. That’s the case for some CRMs, email marketing platforms, SEO tools, and project management tools.
These free plans are often enough to get started, and they let you try a tool out before upgrading to a paid plan.
Are online tools (SaaS) a good fit for freelancers?
Yes, SaaS tools are especially well suited to freelancers and small businesses. They run in your browser, don’t require any complex installation, and usually offer flexible subscriptions.
That means you can get up and running quickly without a big technical investment.
How much does business software cost?
Prices vary widely depending on the features and the type of tool. Some tools offer a free plan, while paid subscriptions usually range from $10 to $100 a month.
What matters is choosing a tool that actually saves you time or improves your results.
Can you connect your tools to each other?
Yes, most modern tools offer integrations or can be connected through services like Zapier or Make.
This lets you automate certain tasks, like automatically adding a contact to your CRM when someone signs up for your newsletter.
How do you choose the best tools for your business?
To choose the right tools, start by identifying your main needs:
- customer management
- invoicing
- marketing
- collaboration
- etc.
Then compare features, pricing, ease of use, and available integrations.
The goal is to save time and run your business more efficiently, without piling on tools you don’t need.
