Starting an online business can feel like trying to assemble furniture without instructions—overwhelming and full of “what do I do next?” moments.
But here’s the good news: with the right tools, you can streamline your workflow, look like a pro, and build something amazing (without the headache).
Whether you’re starting a blog, launching an online store, or offering services, these ten tools are beginner-friendly, budget-conscious, and designed to help you thrive. Let’s get to work!
1. A Domain and Hosting Platform
Your website is your online storefront, and you need a solid foundation to get started. You can purchase domain names at GoDaddy.com or some of the website hosting platforms can also help secure a new domain name for you.
Best Option for Beginners:
- WPX: Affordable, one-click WordPress installation and incredible customer support.
- Bluehost: Affordable and beginner-friendly, with one-click WordPress installation.
- Squarespace: Ideal for non-techies who want an all-in-one platform for websites.
Why It’s Essential:
A professional domain (like YourBusinessName.com) and reliable hosting make you look credible and ensure your site runs smoothly.
Important Note:
We highly recommend that you get a WordPress website because you OWN it and you’re not dependent on a platform that could disappear without notice.
2. A Website Builder
Gone are the days of needing to code from scratch. Website builders make creating a professional-looking site a breeze.
Best Option for Beginners:
- WordPress.org: Highly customizable with tons of plugins.
- Wix: Drag-and-drop simplicity for beginners.
Pro Tip: Choose a template that aligns with your brand and customize it with your colors, fonts, and logo. There are lots of free WordPress templates that you can use and that’s usually a good route to go when you are just getting started. A few favorites include Kadence, Elementor and Astra.
3. Email Marketing Software
Your email list is your business’s lifeline. Building and nurturing it will help you turn leads into loyal customers.
Best Option for Beginners:
- Mailchimp: Free for up to 500 subscribers and super easy to use. They already have newsletter templates in place that you can choose from, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming as a newbie!
- Kit (formerly known as ConvertKit: Perfect for bloggers and creators who want automation. Easy to use and great for beginners.
Why It’s Essential:
Email marketing lets you stay in touch with your audience, promote products, and build relationships.
4. A Social Media Scheduling Tool
Consistency is key to growing your audience, and scheduling tools make it easier to stay on top of your posts.
Best Option for Beginners:
- Buffer: Simple and affordable, perfect for scheduling posts across multiple social media platforms.
- Later: Great for visually planning Instagram content.
Pro Tip: Batch your content creation and schedule a week’s worth of posts in one sitting.
5. A Design Tool
First impressions matter, and eye-catching graphics can set your brand apart.
Best Option for Beginners:
- Canva: Intuitive drag-and-drop design tool with pre-made templates for social media, presentations, and more.
- Adobe Express: Another great option for creating quick and polished visuals.
Why It’s Essential:
Even if you’re not a designer, these tools make creating professional-looking graphics a snap.
6. A Payment Processor
If you’re selling products or services, you need a way to get paid.
Best Option for Beginners:
- PayPal: Trusted worldwide and easy to integrate with websites.
- Stripe: Great for handling credit card payments seamlessly.
Why It’s Essential:
A reliable payment processor ensures smooth transactions and builds trust with customers.
7. Project Management Software
Staying organized is non-negotiable when you’re juggling tasks as a business owner. Most new business owners start out with a spreadsheet like Goole Sheets or Excel and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
If your new business venture is quite large or complex, there are some amazing options to manage all the different aspects of your projects.
Best Option for Beginners:
- Trello: Visual task management with customizable boards.
- Asana: Perfect for tracking projects and collaborating with team members.
Pro Tip: Use color-coded labels to keep track of priority tasks at a glance.
8. SEO Tool
Want your business to show up on the first page of Google? Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the answer. We’ll go into this in (great) detail on the Bloom Blog, but you do need a few essentials to get started targeting the right keywords on your website and in your marketing content.
Best Option for Beginners:
- Yoast SEO: A WordPress plugin that helps you optimize your site content (free and paid versions)
- RankMath: A WordPress plugin that helps make sure your articles and pages on your site have a good chance of ranking (also free and paid versions of this tool)
- Ubersuggest: Free keyword research to help you create content that ranks.
Why It’s Essential:
SEO brings organic traffic to your site, saving you money on paid ads.
9. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tool
Building relationships with customers is at the heart of any successful business. Just like project management software, you can start by using Google Sheets or an Excel spreadsheet initiallly. Once you’ve built up a few dozen contacts or customers, we highly recommend using a CRM tool (you’ll thank yourself later, trust us!).
Best Option for Beginners:
- HubSpot CRM: Free and packed with features to track leads and manage contacts.
- Zoho CRM: Affordable and user-friendly for small businesses.
Why It’s Essential:
A CRM helps you stay organized, track communication, and ensure no customer falls through the cracks.
10. Analytics Tool
If you’re not tracking your performance, how will you know what’s working?
Best Option for Beginners:
- Google Analytics: Free and powerful for understanding website traffic.
- Tip: When you are setting up your website, look for the free plug-in called Site Kit. This will easily get your Google Search Console and Google Analytics set up with just a few clicks.
- Hotjar: Offers insights into how users interact with your site.
- Clicky.com: Easy online tool that allows you to quickly track your traffic and popular content on your website. I like this because it’s easy to pull up on your mobile device and just do a quick check in.
Pro Tip: Regularly review your analytics to refine your strategy and double down on what’s working.
Final Thoughts
Building an online business doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you have the right tools in your corner. Start with these ten essentials, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a business that not only runs smoothly but thrives.
REMEMBER:
Success doesn’t come from having every tool—it comes from using the right ones effectively. Pick one or two to start, learn as you go, and watch your business grow!
