6 Tools You Need to Run a Successful Online Business in 2020

6 Tools You Need to Run a Successful Online Business in 2020

If you are like many people out there, there’s a big chance you’ve thought about starting an online business. As you are reading this, some of you have probably come up with a business idea already. Others may have even created a website and are wondering what’s next. Well, whether you still have your day job or you are currently not employed, an online business can be an amazing way to generate income without too much commitment in terms of energy and money. Compared to starting a brick and mortar shop, starting an e-commerce store can be fairly cost-effective, and the setup process is often less involving.

For your business to succeed and stay ahead of your competition, however, you have to get several things right. For instance, your marketing approach has to be on point. This means investing in various internet marketing strategies and tools, including SEO, web design, social media campaigns, online ads, and so forth. It also means investing in tools that will help you run your day-to-day operations more efficiently. These include tools that will help streamline processes like customer service, order management, inventory management, appointment scheduling, and workforce management, just to name a few. Without further ado, let us look at six tools you need to run a successful online business in 2020.

1. Email Marketing Software

Especially in 2020, where many businesses found solace in online business after COVID-19 struck, the internet market tends to have become more competitive. For this reason, you will need to up your game as far as internet marketing is concerned. This means using various digital marketing strategies, email marketing being one of them.

But let’s be honest, it can be extremely strenuous when you have to manually send marketing emails to 500 or more existing and potential customers. This is why you need an email marketing tool that automates the entire process while gathering leads and boosting your sales. Some of them have added features like CRM and other tools to help your online business succeed.

2. Customer Referral Software

In this age and day, people tend to trust brands and products that previous users are talking positively about. Referrals go a long way in boosting your marketing efforts and increasing your customer base. As pointed out at MarketerStack.com, referral marketing software allows your existing customers to recruit more customers to your business. It is an excellent way to promote your products and services while improving your brand recognition. From Ambassador to FriendBuy and ReferralCandy, there are many great referral marketing programs out there to choose from. You just need to choose the one that best suits your business’s needs, budget, and preferences.

3. Project Management Tools 

Keeping track of your projects’ progress with different departments and team members can be a real hustle if you are doing it manually. Instead of endless calls, lengthy reports, and a bunch of meetings daily, a project management tool can simplify things for you. Many of them exist, some available for free, whereas others require a monthly or annual subscription. Some of the most popular project/task management tools out there include the following:

  • Asana
  • Trello
  • Basecamp
  • Wrike
  • Zoho Project
  • Scoro
  • Proofhub
  • And many more

What’s more, many of these have both a web version and a mobile app that lets you track your projects even while on the go. They help teams within the workplace to stay organized and ahead of schedule. They even allow you to easily share files and tasks with internal and external team members without a hustle.  

4. Online Accounting Tools

For your online business to achieve success, proper bookkeeping and accounting are a must. Online accounting tools make various accounting tasks easier and faster, thus saving you money at the end of each month. These tools will simplify tasks such as invoicing, creating quotes, making payments, and bookkeeping.

Good online accounting software will also integrate with your bank accounts so you can request and import statements at will for easy reconciliation. They also include a cloud storage feature, meaning that you can even access your accounting data remotely from any authorized device without necessarily having to install the program. You just need to open your favorite browser, log in, and start executing your accounting tasks. Some reputable accounting tools you can have a look at include

  • Freshbooks
  • sevDesk
  • Zoho Books
  • Sage 50cloud
  • Xero
  • Wave

5. Video Conferencing Tools 

With many people working remotely in 2020, the office-based meetings and conferences may not always be possible. Thanks to the internet, however, teams within your business can meet comfortably from their home offices through video and teleconferencing tools. Zoom is a good example of these tools, and it has been all the rage this year.

The cloud-based platform is easy to use, and in addition to video conference calls, it also offers other features like chats and can be used for webinars and online presentations. It also lets you stream your video on Facebook Live or other platforms so others can access you. Sessions can be recorded for future access or shared for easier collaboration on projects. Other notable video conferencing tools include Skype, Blue Jeans, Cisco Webex, and Microsoft Teams, just to name a few.

6. Social Media Managers 

As mentioned earlier, your business’s success online is also dependent in part on how well you connect with people on social platforms. The frequency of your posts, how long you take to respond to queries, and how engaging your social media posts will play a huge part in building your brand reputation and profitability. Therefore, social media management apps are a must-have, especially for small and medium businesses. Apps like HootSuite help you keep track of all the activity on your profile pages and handles, and you can even automate your posts as you manage your campaigns. Your activity on social media lets you reach a wider audience while also serving as a customer service tool.

And there you have it. Succeeding as an online business takes some work, but it’s all worth the effort. It takes embracing technology and using it to your best advantage. The above are just a few tools you definitely need for a successful online business in 2020.