Being a successful entrepreneur not only requires the proper planning and execution of an idea, but the tools and resources to make that happen. Here are some of my commonly used tools, and why.“It’s not about ideas, it’s about making ideas happen.”
1. Fiverr
Fiverr is a great platform for small gigs like logos, flyers, t-shirt design, graphic design, animated videos, etc. as jobs start as low as $5. I’ve used the platform to successfully create educational videos, presentations, photo corrections and more.
2. Upwork
I use Upwork for some of my bigger projects as it’s a more sophisticated platform for hiring freelancers worldwide. Need a developer in India? That’s right!
3. Namecheap
Namecheap is a website domain registrar and management company. I discovered Namecheap earlier this year after spending several years with a bad hosting company at the tune of $20/month. With Namecheap I spend $34 a YEAR to host three websites and numerous email accounts. If the price isn’t enough to get your attention, the service will. When I transferred my website hosting to Namecheap, they migrated all websites, backups and files without me having to lift a finger. There’s something about Namecheap that appeals to my frugality. I wonder what it is.
4. Wix
Wix is an easy-to-use website builder that has a lot of modern templates for every industry. Within hours you can have a website built and published, with a nominal monthly fee. This is great for a new founder who maybe experimenting with a new business, has limited funds or is not very tech savvy.
Don’t forget to try Wix’s new logo maker.
5. Envato Market
If you’re like me, and you’re a little tech savvy and like to avoid monthly fees for templated websites that add up over time, you visit Envato. Envato is a marketplace for templated WordPress website themes that you can customize and host on your own server or hosting company (i.e., Namecheap). Envato sells high-end website themes from hundreds of designers for a one-time fee as low as $50.
Purchase your theme from Envato, hire a freelancer from Upwork to customize it for a couple of hundred dollars and host it on your Namecheap account for $34 a year. This option could literally save you $200/year when compared to a typical Wix plan at $19/month or thousands compared to a fully customized site. And even more if you have multiple sites like me!
6. Canva
Canva is an online graphic design platform used to create artwork for websites, social media posts, infographics, book covers and other marketing materials. This simple drag-and-drop design platform offers free access to a wide array of design templates, tools and options anyone can use.
7. Creative Market
Creative Market is a great resource for photos, web themes, fonts and various design templates for social media posts, stationary, brochures, business cards and more.
8. Meetup
If you’re looking to find your target customer in your local community, you should try Meetup. With Meetup you can discover groups that meet your demographic, or create one. Meetup will promote your group to its members, and allow you to create events and communicate directly with group members through its platform. In a day, my group Women Who Startup Ventures reached 100 members. Join my Group HERE!
9. HARO
Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is a platform that helps reporters find a source for their stories. HARO sends emails with reporter requests three times a day to its sources, giving them (and, now you) the opportunity to secure valuable media coverage.
10. Angel List
If you’re seeking funding for your venture, AngelList is a great social network platform designed to help you meet investors and make other connections in the startup community. Check it out!
