By Sheza Gary

With all of the technological advances that are occurring in the world, there are now more tools than ever that are capable of helping you to run your small business. In some cases, the challenge may be to find the right tools and to weed out the junk. By identifying some of the best tools for small businesses, you can take advantage of these programs to improve your organization.

1. Switch.co

Switch.co makes your business communication via your small business phone systems easier than ever. With this service, you’ll be able to send all of your calls and texts to each of your devices, including your mobile phone, desk phone, and even desktop at the same time. You can answer the device that is most convenient for you at the time, allowing you to work anywhere. You’ll also be able to integrate with Google in order to access your company directory from anywhere.

2. MailChimp

Keeping your customers up-to-date on what is going on with your company is a good way to generate return business, and MailChimp can assist you with this activity. With MailChimp, you’ll be able to design email newsletters, share them via social networks, and track results. Features include automated emails, advanced analytics, and send-time optimization

3. Appointlet

Appointlet is another essential tool that can help you to effectively run your small business. This service involves an app to schedule your appointments online via Google Calendar, and it can be useful for customers that are hoping to book your services. You can connect Appoint let with your existing Google Calendar to identify when you are busy, and the app also allows you to send reminders to clients and collect payments.

4. GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting is an audio, screen-sharing, and video platform used for online meetings, and it is extremely user friendly. This system can help you to launch a meeting and invite participants via email, phone, or instant messaging so that you can present from your computer or tablet. Features include application sharing, on-screen drawing, and even one-click recording.

5. Insightly

Insightly is a system for managing customer relationships within a small business. It can help your organization to manage contacts, partners, suppliers, vendors, and organizations. With this program, you’ll be able to see everything about your professional contacts, including email history, participating projects, important dates, and background. Project management features are also incorporated, including reports, project views, and automated reminders.

6. OneDrive

OneDrive is the cloud storage solution offered by Microsoft, and it also allows you to work collaboratively with your coworkers. With this program, you’ll be able to store and share files, and each user will receive 1 TB of storage. This system is integrated with Microsoft Office so that you can easily create, review, and edit documents with other participants in real time, and you can go on to discuss them in the private social network Yammer. With this tool, you’ll ensure that everyone is working with the most recent document, and you can even create a seamless approval and review process.

7. Desk.com

Desk.com serves as a customer support app that was specifically created to serve small businesses. This service provides the tools that are needed to manage cases so that you are able to help customers as quickly as possible. By using Desk.com, you’ll be able to troubleshoot customer issues and close out their cases, once resolved, and you can also automate more repetitive tasks in order to reduce the time your agents are spending on easy cases.

8. CO2 Saver

Like many small business owners, you are probably concerned about your energy bills, and this program can help you to save by reducing your energy consumption. CO2 Saver system uses Windows power settings in order to reduce the energy that is consumed by computers when they are left idle. The program will provide information on how much carbon that you have saved, allowing you to get a better idea of how much money you have also saved.

9. Invoice berry

Invoice berry is a tool found online that can help your business to send invoices and quotes to clients with a few simple clicks. You’ll be able to develop, send, and manage invoice while keeping track of payments and expenses. You’ll also be able to get paid faster and send invoice reminders, and all invoices will be easily accessible, as they are stored securely online.

10. Wunderlist

Wunderlist will help you to keep your small business and employees on task, as this collaborative platform serves as a to-do list to help your team members to get things done. You’ll be able to delegate tasks and to discuss what needs to be completed with your team while also setting due dates and adding in reminders to make sure that nothing is missed. The real time syncing will keep your lists current, and this program is conveniently available online or via mobile platforms.

Sheza Gary has been a Project Strategist since 2009 and also involved in the launching of startups and tech companies in New York for over 5 years. She has keen interest in writing her own experiences about business plans and upcoming business supporting technologies. Follow her on Twitter @shezagary.