The internet continues to transform everything we do, including how we work. Fortunately, not all of the web-based applications out there will deplete your bank account. There are a growing number of resources and applications on the internet that are innovative, effective, and absolutely free. These online tools can enhance your business at no cost, help you manage your customers, inventory and workforce, and perhaps even increase your profits. Here are five of them worth looking at today.
Google Analytics
If your business involves buying, selling or communicating over the Internet, then Google Analytics is a must-have online tool. Google Analytics tracks website traffic, and uses powerful algorithms to help subscribers monitor their e-commerce goals – advertising effectiveness, lead generation, page performance. The service also delivers real time reports in an easy-to-read dashboard display. This powerful tool not only helps you understand your company better, it offers a means to shape your overall business strategy to achieve key objectives.
Groove
Groove is an instant, virtual front office for your business to provide customer support services. This powerful software tool enables companies to combine all of their customer service activities – email, live chat, social media, SMS – into a single, comprehensive interface. It enables you to track customer interactions, build an automated support plan, and allows your employees to collaborate virtually to address customer queries. Groove also allows businesses to integrate its features into existing websites; or to integrate many other helpful applications into the Groove platform itself.
LinkedIn is more than just another social network: it is a free (unless you upgrade to premium services) resource that can help your business in a variety of ways. The service can help you highlight your company and its services/products, through thought-provoking posts in the feed. Membership in LinkedIn’s groups can provide your company more exposure, and lead to increased sales; LinkedIn groups, and other services such as LinkedIn Answers, can also provide your company critical expertise to help you address challenging issues, or offer helpful advice. Finally, you can use the service to scout for potential employees or customers as well.
Content Idea Generator
If your business involves writing and creativity, then Portent’s Content Idea Generator is an absolutely essential tool. The innovative site can take a single keyword/subject and generate a title for an article on the word. Any return on the word will also provide a rationale for why the title is relevant. Additionally, the site can help you produce content on a desired subject that generates more web traffic. Content Idea Generator is also a great deal of fun; it can help you overcome writer’s block, and start typing again.
Hootsuite
Social media is an increasing critical part of the business world, for large as well as small companies. Managing your company’s profile across multiple social media sites can be extremely challenging and time-consuming. Fortunately, Hootsuite can make this task much easier. The free online service provides an integrated portal to manage your entire social media presence, schedule content posts, and track your company’s overall effectiveness on social media platforms. Hootsuite also provides customized content suggestions, and can integrate many of your existing apps into the service’s innovative dashboard. This type of streamlining is essential for becoming your most productive self.
Regardless of business size, it is always good to have online resources to fall back on. Free tools that can help you gauge your company’s effectiveness online, manage its social media presence, recruit new customers, or generate content are a simple click away. Check them out today, and let the power of these websites start working for you right now.
