Technology and free tools

Finding the right technology could save you time and make your work more efficient. 

You could start with the basics and add more advanced tools as your business grows.

AI and automation

AI tools like ChatGPT can help with tasks, improve customer service, and provide insights.

Chatbots can answer customer questions, and AI analytics can help you make decisions. 

You can customise AI tools to keep interactions feeling personal. 

However, don’t rely too much on AI, as it might make customer interactions feel robotic.

Make sure there’s human input where needed to keep things genuine.

Project management software

Tools like Trello and Asana offer free versions with basic features to help organise tasks and team projects.

They allow you to track progress and collaborate easily.

Office tools

Google Workspace offers free tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides for creating documents and working with others.

These cloud-based tools make sharing and updating easy. 

Marketing tools 

Canva allows you to design marketing materials for free, while Buffer or Hootsuite offer free basic packages to manage social media posts and track their success. 

Accounting software

There are lots of pieces of accounting software aimed at smaller businesses including Xero and Intuit Quickbooks.

Alongside the paid-for options, Wave is a free tool for handling invoices, tracking expenses, and creating financial reports.

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Disclaimer: The Start -Up Loans Company makes reasonable efforts to keep the content of this article up to date, but we do not guarantee or warrant (implied or otherwise) that it is current, accurate or complete. This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind, including legal, financial, tax or other professional advice. You should always seek professional or specialist advice or support before doing anything on the basis of the content of this article.

The Start-Up Loans Company is not liable for any loss or damage (foreseeable or not) that may come from relying on this article, whether as a result of our negligence, breach of contract or otherwise. “Loss” includes (but is not limited to) any direct, indirect or consequential loss, loss of income, revenue, benefits, profits, opportunity, anticipated savings, or data. We do not exclude liability for any liability which cannot be excluded or limited under English law. Reference to any person, organisation, business, or event does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from The Start-Up Loans Company, its parent company British Business Bank plc, or the UK Government. 

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