2022 Best Tools To Start an Online Small Business As a Solopreneur
I spent years being afraid I didn’t know enough to build my own website, create my own graphics, and run my business. Guess what? I was wrong. Between Google, YouTube, and other online classes (some of the better ones will cost you)– I’m on a continuous learning curve. Sure, there’s an occasional bump in the road, but if I can – you can.
With these recommendations, I plan to add short tutorials on how I use each product or service. Then, you can decide for yourself what is your priority. I am also on a perpetual learning curve. I have not dipped my toes in e-commerce yet, but when I make that jump, I will let you know the good, the bad, and the ugly. Same with course creation.
I will never promote a brand I don’t personally use. I will–on occasion– include companies recommended by several colleagues. I will also not hold back if a product or service could be improved.
I believe every small business owner should have a working understanding of how to use their products and services. I have made the mistake of outsourcing, not taking the time to learn the fundamentals, only to find myself scrambling when that person moves on. Sound familiar?
As always, I welcome your feedback! Be patient with yourself. YOU GOT THIS! 🚀
#1 for Email Marketing
I use Convertkit because
it’s easy to navigate
I love their pre-made, customizable templates
customers are supported with live, on-demand training and robust FAQs
I dig their robust analytics and tagging for segmentation
I love creator-trainer Angel Marie and her many tutorials, usually with a well-accomplished guest
The creator plan comes with helpful visual automations–$29/ month after the free 14-day trial
#1 for Design (free version and Pro)
(social media templates galore, business cards, flyers, logo maker, thousands of free images, icons, Canva may even fly you to the moon)
Canva makes design simple for digital entrepreneurs. Read–if you are like me and NOT a designer by trade–you will create decent graphics. It’s a TOTAL time saver. I use Canva because it includes
thousands of free templates, photos, videos, icons, and soundtracks
the ability to re-size social media assets instantly
a content planner and social media scheduler
a drag-and-drop editor
a brand kit (pro version) recommending complementary colors and fonts
a digital whiteboard
a free version that is robust
Canva Pro $12.99 a month or $119.99 yearly (23% off) for the whole shabang.
#1 Website Builder
I did a lot of research on website builders. I wanted to find a product that I would be able to use with ease, understanding there would be a learning curve to anything I chose. I’ve used WordPress (needed hired tech help to manage the templates) and Wix for my daughter’s site. Wix was limited, but Squarespace is what I built and host my website on. With its recent addition of “fluid engine”, each page can be designed with a simple drop-and-drag editor. While not the least expensive option I like Squarespace because
at sign-up, you can specify your interests, and Squarespace will customize templates that match your intent
it offers thousands of customizable templates as well as eCommerce templates
it provides the ability to create a portfolio
you can password-protect parts of your site
basic SEO tools are included; analytics are robust
you can create a gated community
it offers email, though I don’t use this option
#1 for Grammar, Proofreading, and Plagiarism Checking
I love Grammarly because it saves my a$$. Its free version can be downloaded from the Chrome Store. It’s like having someone proofread over your shoulder. The free version
corrects misspellings
checks word usage and context
underlines and makes suggestions
integrates with other tools such as GSuite, Slack, and Word seamlessly.
will automatically generate citations 🔥
includes a plagiarism checker
Grammarly Premium focuses on clarity, vocabulary, and tone improvements and it will suggest sentence rewrites in addition to all the above.
#1 for Invoicing and Accounting for Small Businesses
Bookkeeping is a process most creatives would like to avoid. Freshbooks makes it tolerable and inexpensive. The company caters to small business owners. It
is easy to use
has a 30-day free trial; the current promo is 60% off the four months
has simple migration from other software
includes a time-tracker feature
has intuitive templates to create professional invoices
accepts online payments
integrates with more than 100 apps such as Shopify
has a partnership with Gusto for payroll (additional monthly cost)
uses SSL protocol to encrypt data for privacy
#1 for Legal Templates
There is a fair bit of legal mumbo jumbo when you start a new business. For me, this included:
Forming an LLC
Filing a trademark for SheVentures
Creating the terms of use and privacy policy for my website
Standardizing contractor and contributor agreements.
When it comes to legal protection–what you don’t know–can hurt you. Pick a package and you are off to the races. Filing your LLC for a few hundred dollars is a bargain when you think of hourly legal fees as the alternative. Lawyers are important, but some processes can be streamlined with templates
You’d think as a digital entrepreneur your best planning would be done online.
I thought so too until I started to hear heavy hitters like Amy Porterfield praise the Full Focus Planner in her Systems that Scale course. Embrace the structure the planner provides. How often do you write three to-do’s a day and actually get them done? It’s the kindest thing you could do for yourself to help remove overwhelm.
Who doesn’t want to learn from the likes of Margaret Atwood or Sir Richard Branson? Until Cyber Monday 2022 Masterclass is offering a Give One, Get One to put people in the holiday spirit! Expires on November 28th!