If you’re the proud owner of a start-up, then you know that starting a business often means a commitment that is well beyond normal office hours. Saving time through automated processes allows you to spend important and valuable hours on what matters most – building your business. Our digital savvy expert, Thomas Pays, shares some online tools available to help start-ups grow.

There are many cloud-based software options available for project management. As there is also no ‘one size fits all’ solution when it comes to finding a process that works for your business, Thomas says that the best way to find the system you need is to test the various options available and go with what works for you. He suggests taking a look at Basecamp, Trello and Zoho – and the best part is, they’re free!

One vital aspect of business is to have your accounting under control. As it stands there are many local and international solutions for your businesses accounting needs. Thomas suggests using a system called Xero. He says his accounting team has now increased productivity by more than double with this automated software.

Once you’ve crunched the numbers, it’s important to analyse your progress and sense-check your efforts against your business KPI’s. A software solution called FathomHQ (which conveniently functions as a plugin of Xero) exports your financial data and presents it in a visually appealing and user friendly format.

One of the best ways to keep track of your email communications is using a tool called Yesware. This simple to use tracking tool will help keep you organized and ensure you never miss a follow-up mail again.

When it comes to file collaboration and calendar syncing, Thomas has always been a big fan of Synaq, who provide an advanced system and great support for businesses.

If your start-up is an e-commerce company, you’ll know that finding the right partners to run your e-commerce efficiently plays a massive role in determining your success. Logistics is one of the biggest hassles in e-commerce so it makes sense to partner with an expert. Parcel Ninja is an advanced and efficient logistics company that works cohesively with you and your business, taking control of your logistical needs.

Finding the right digital agency partner is also a priority; they’ll put the relevant steps in place and implement the most effective procedures in order to successfully acquire new clients for your business. This allows for you to focus on customer retention and grow your site. Thomas says: “It makes sense to partner with a results driven digital agency like Just Perfect – a digital marketing agency focused on your success.”

When it comes to the implementation, upgrade or customer relationship management of your online store, there aren’t a lot of solutions to choose from. If you’re able to afford a top-notch solution, Thomas suggests going with a company like Bigcommerce. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more affordable option with a more basic offering, Shopify is a great choice.

Before you get bogged down with problems, remember to check for solutions online – there’s bound to be something that suits your needs.

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