Between managing operations, employees, and growth plans, there never seems to be enough hours in the day.
How can you get more done with limited time and resources?
The answer lies in streamlining and automation. With the right tools, you can work smarter, not harder.
This guide covers the best productivity software and services for small businesses like yours. We'll explore options to help with:
Task Management
Project Management
Team Communication
Client Relations
Accounting & Finances
HR Management
Marketing Automation
Website Building
Cybersecurity
These solutions will help you optimize workflows, collaborate seamlessly, save money, and grow faster.
Let's dive in!
Task Management
Juggling multiple responsibilities? A task manager keeps you on top of daily to-dos.
Todoist
Todoist enables you to capture tasks quickly and set reminders. Organize projects into folders and sections. Features include:
Mobile app to capture tasks on-the-go
Browser extensions for easy access
Email reminders to stay accountable
Team plans to assign tasks
Project templates to standardize processes
With Todoist, you’ll never miss a deadline again. Stay focused on priorities to get more accomplished daily.
ClickUp
For robust task and project management, ClickUp is a top-rated platform. Benefits include:
Centralized workspace to manage tasks, docs, goals
Customizable views like grid, board, timeline
Automations to assign tasks, update status, notify team
Integrations with 1000+ workplace apps
Analytics to monitor productivity
ClickUp transforms task management into an efficient, collaborative process. Say goodbye to dropped balls; the platform scales as your team grows.
Asana
Asana enables real-time task coordination across teams. Features include:
List and board views to visualize work
Conversations linked to tasks
Dashboards and reports to analyze progress
Rules and reminders to keep projects on track
Integrates with Office 365, G Suite, Salesforce, Slack and more
Asana is intuitive yet powerful. It’s perfect for cross-functional teamwork and improving productivity.
Project Management
Juggling multiple projects at once? These programs provide oversight to keep initiatives on budget and on schedule.
Airtable
Airtable is a flexible workspace to plan and manage projects. Benefits include:
Customizable databases to track all details in one place
Calendar view of deadlines and milestones
Charts and graphs to visualize progress
Automatic notifications when tasks are behind
Integrations with Zapier, Slack, Mailchimp and more
From sales pipelines to product launches, Airtable provides structure while allowing flexibility to adapt. It's the perfect balance of project oversight and fluid collaboration.
Monday.com
Monday.com helps teams manage projects, processes and everyday work. Features include:
Customizable dashboards
Kanban boards to visualize workflow
Timelines with dependencies and milestones
Automated reports to analyze cycle times
Integrations with Dropbox, GitHub, Zendesk and more
Workflows that once took weeks can be mapped out in minutes with monday.com. Bring order to the chaos of cross-departmental initiatives.
Basecamp
Basecamp is a longtime favorite for streamlining project collaboration. It offers:
Group chat and message boards
Shared docs and file storage
Checklists and milestone tracking
Schedules and automated reminders
Robust integrations via Zapier
Trusted by millions, Basecamp brings simplicity to complex team initiatives. It strikes the perfect balance between flexibility and structure.
Team Communication
Remote teams? Hybrid work models? Clear communication is crucial no matter the setup.
Slack
Slack revolutionizes internal messaging for organizations. Features include:
Instant messaging and video calls
Private channels and direct messages
Integrated file sharing
Robust search for finding info
Highly customizable platform
Slack transforms team conversations into transparent, efficient dialogues. Say goodbye to long email chains; embrace real-time collaboration instead.
Microsoft Teams
For an all-in-one hub, Microsoft Teams is a top contender. Benefits include:
Group chat, calls and meetings
Shared task lists, docs and files
Wikis and dashboards for project views
Built on Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Affordable pricing for unlimited users
With tight Office integration and enterprise-grade security, Microsoft Teams brings harmony to teamwork. Chat, meet, call, and collaborate in one place.
Zoom
For easy video meetings, Zoom is the gold standard. Features include:
Reliable video meetings for up to 1,000 participants
Screen sharing and co-annotation
Private breakout rooms for smaller groups
Secure cloud recording storage
Integrates scheduling with Google and Office calendars
Zoom makes meetings more efficient and engaging. Wave goodbye to crowded conference rooms; now you can connect face-to-face from anywhere.
Client Relations
For small businesses, customer relationships are invaluable. Manage contacts, track interactions, and provide excellent service with these tools.
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot offers free unlimited CRM for small businesses. Features include:
Contact database with deal stages
Email automation and templates
Meeting scheduling integration
Custom reporting to analyze data
Easy creation of quotes and invoices
HubSpot CRM helps you deliver personalized experiences at scale. Streamline everything from first contact to final sale.
Zoho CRM
Zoho is another editable, customizable CRM platform. Benefits include:
Contact database with sales pipeline views
Email marketing and campaign tracking
Inventory management
Customer service ticketing
Time tracking and invoicing
Zoho brings end-to-end visibility in a unified interface. Monitor all customer interactions to better understand needs and provide excellent service.
Freshsales
For user-friendly CRM, Freshsales is a great choice. Features include:
Contact management with lead scoring
Email sequencing tailored to customer stage
Built-in phone with call recording
Task automation to save time
Team inbox to easily collaborate
Freshsales combines simplicity with smarts. Track all interactions in one place to drive repeat business and referrals.
Accounting & Finances
Bookkeeping doesn’t have to be a burden. Automate with trusted platforms for small business accounting.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks helps track income, expenses, inventory and more. Features include:
Invoicing, estimates and online payments
Multi-user access with permission controls
Bank reconciliations and reporting
Budgeting tools and custom fields
Inventory management with barcode scanning
QuickBooks simplifies accounting so you can focus on running your company. It grows with you from startup to enterprise.
Xero
Xero makes accounting beautiful with seamless financial overviews. Benefits include:
Imports bank transactions automatically
Built-in invoicing and expense claims
Multi-currency support
300+ app integrations via Xero API
Excellent third-party support network
Xero takes the pain out of accounting with automation, simplicity and transparency. Focus on the numbers that matter most.
Sage Accounting
Sage Intacct is advanced cloud financial management. Features include:
Custom dashboards and reporting
Complex multi-entity and multi-currency support
Scales rapidly from small business to enterprise
Tight integration with Salesforce and Office 365
Industry-specific capabilities
Sage Intacct helps rapidly growing companies manage finances better. Say goodbye to error-prone Excel sheets; achieve new levels of accuracy and efficiency.
HR Management
HR software streamlines key functions like hiring, onboarding, payroll, compliance and more.
BambooHR
BambooHR enables people management from hire to retirement. Features include:
Applicant tracking and onboarding
Customizable employee records
Time-off tracking
Benefits management and online enrollment
Reporting and analytics
Centralize all employee information in BambooHR. The platform scales gracefully as your company grows.
Gusto
Gusto is online payroll, benefits and HR. It offers:
Easy payroll across all 50 states
Health insurance, 401k plans, FSAs and more
Applicant tracking and employee self-onboarding
Timesheets, commissions and reimbursements
Free support from internal team of experts
Gusto takes the pain out of payroll and makes benefits enrollment a breeze. Focus on people, not paperwork.
Zenefits
Zenefits delivers seamless people operations support. Benefits include:
Payroll, time tracking and PTO management
Benefits administration, enrollment and changes
Custom onboarding and offboarding
Robust reporting for data-driven decisions
Mobile app for managing HR on-the-go
Zenefits removes all the complexities of HR, empowering you to focus on company growth.
Marketing Automation
Build your brand, nurture leads and drive sales with these marketing platforms.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp makes email marketing, ads and landing pages easy. Features include:
Beautiful, optimized templates
Sign-up forms and pop-ups for your site
Segmented email campaigns with automation
Landing pages and postcards
eCommerce integration with major platforms
Mailchimp helps you create targeted campaigns with ease. Grow your subscriber list, engagement rates and ROI.
Constant Contact
Trusted by millions, Constant Contact simplifies marketing. Benefits include:
Professional email templates and sign-up forms
Event promotion tools
Google Analytics integration
eCommerce cart abandonment emails
Facebook ad management
Constant Contact has all the features you need for success no matter your skill level. You focus on your business; they’ll handle marketing.
HubSpot Marketing Hub
HubSpot offers powerful inbound marketing software. Features include:
Email marketing and automation
Landing pages and forms
SEO and content optimization
Social media publishing and ads
Robust analytics and reporting
HubSpot ties everything together into a single intuitive platform. Streamline your online presence and watch leads roll in.
Website Building
Every business needs a website. Choose user-friendly platforms that allow customization.
Squarespace
Squarespace empowers beautiful websites with no coding needed. Features include:
Professional templates for any industry
Built-in eCommerce capabilities
Integrated email campaigns and donor tools
Appointment scheduling and online booking
24/7 award-winning customer support
Squarespace makes it possible for anyone to build a stunning online presence.
Wix
For easy DIY sites, Wix is a top choice. Benefits include:
500+ designer templates
Drag and drop editor
Built-in forms, chatbots and payment processing
SEO optimization tools
Extensive App Market with 350+ integrations
Wix gives entrepreneurs powerful technology in an intuitive interface. Build your online home base in a weekend.
WordPress.org
For advanced capabilities, WordPress is the gold standard. Features include:
Open source CMS with thousands of themes and plugins
Build online stores with Woocommerce
Custom functionality with PHP and JavaScript
Scales to enterprise-level websites
Worldwide community support
WordPress offers endless possibilities for customization. Code your dreams into reality.
Cybersecurity
As digital workflows increase, so does vulnerability to cyber threats. Protect your company with security software.
Norton 360 Deluxe
Norton 360 protects company data from malware and other attacks. Features include:
Endpoint detection and response
Real-time threat protection
Password manager
Secure cloud backup storage
Parental controls for family devices
Get enterprise-grade security for a fraction of the cost with Norton 360. Prevent breaches that could cripple your business.
McAfee Total Protection
McAfee safeguards businesses against viruses, malware and ransomware. Benefits include:
Protection across unlimited devices
Dark web monitoring (credit card numbers, emails)
Secure file encryption
Firewall and spam filtering
Easy deployment to remote employees
Get robust, affordable protection for all endpoints with McAfee. Block threats before they disrupt operations.
Dashlane
Dashlane is the leading password manager for teams. Features include:
Secure password storage
Auto password changer
Team access controls
Dark web monitoring
Emergency password support
Say goodbye to forgotten passwords; Dashlane remembers them for you. It’s a must for securing company logins and accounts.
Level Up Productivity
With the right tools in place, your small business can achieve new levels of productivity and efficiency.
Implement solutions gradually across task management, collaboration, automation and analytics. As processes improve, you’ll accelerate growth and scale fearlessly.
While the technology landscape continues advancing rapidly, purpose-built platforms reduce the chaos. With the best business productivity software, you can focus on big-picture goals and strategy.
The future looks bright. You’ve got this!
FAQs
Still have some questions? Here are answers to common queries:
Which tool is best for task management?
Todoist, Asana and ClickUp are leaders in flexible task coordination. Choose Todoist for personal productivity or Asana and ClickUp for teams.
What is the easiest project management software?
Airtable strikes the perfect balance between structure and fluidity. Basecamp and Monday.com are close contenders for their simplicity.
Which all-in-one software is best?
For unified communication and collaboration, Microsoft Teams stands out. It brings chat, meetings, docs and tasks into one hub.
Should I use separate or integrated tools?
Many productivity platforms offer robust integrations via Zapier and APIs. However, consolidated tools like CRMs streamline data into a single source of truth. Evaluate your unique needs, budget and capabilities when deciding.
How much do productivity tools cost?
Pricing varies widely but often correlates to features. Many offer free versions or exclusive discounts for startups and small businesses. Focus on value over cost by calculating ROI.
How long does implementation take?
With intuitive software focused on ease of use, you can get started in minutes. But mastery and company-wide adoption take concerted planning, training and buy-in. Develop best practices over several months.