The Best Online Business Tools for Solopreneurs in 2023
As an online teacher, creator, or coach, it's essential to have the right tools to manage your time and productivity, reduce procrastination, and to help you create content for your online courses, coaching programs, and memberships. These tools will help you to start, run, and scale a successful online business and to reach your goals more efficiently. To make this process easier, we've rounded up the very best tools for solopreneurs (i.e., those small business owners without a full team, or even an assistant) to help you do just that.
From time management apps to communication platforms and course creation software – each tool has been chosen to help you maximize your productivity.
We'll be exploring these top tools for solopreneurs across five categories:
Time Management Tools
Productivity Tools
Communication Tools
Content Creation Tools
Online Course Platforms
Productivity Tools
Productivity tools are essential for staying organized and productive. Here are a few of our favorites:
Calendar and scheduling apps
Need to keep track of deadlines, meetings, appointments, and other important dates?
Popular calendar and scheduling apps that can be used across multiple devices include Google Calendar and Apple's iCalendar.
When it comes to calendars and scheduling apps, the key is finding one that works best for your needs; some offer features such as event reminders, while others have an easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop capabilities for quick scheduling changes.
We use Google’s entire Workspace platform to run our company, so Google Calendar is our preferred choice (by far). It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and will scale with you as you grow your business.
For scheduling meetings with clients, we prefer Calendly. Between Calendly’s appointment booking features and Google Calendar’s time management features, you’ll be well on your way to an efficient and well-organized small business.
Task management apps
There are so many moving pieces when running an online business, so managing your tasks is key!
Task management apps are also helpful in helping prioritize tasks by assigning due dates and creating task lists that can then be shared among team members if needed; this makes collaboration easier when working on projects remotely from different locations around the world.
Popular task management apps include Todoist, Asana, and Things. We’ve used a lot of different apps over the years and, to be honest, all you really need is pen and an inexpensive notebook or piece of paper to keep track of your list of tasks. (If you’re an iPad user, we love GoodNotes for this too.)
Time tracking software
You might find a time-tracking app useful if you're looking to monitor your productivity levels.
They help you measure how much time is spent on specific projects or tasks.
This means you gain insight into where your time is going each day so you can adjust accordingly to maximize efficiency levels throughout the workday.
Our favorite time-tracking app is Toggl because it's straightforward to use and has a Chrome extension for easy tracking.
RescueTime and Clockify are time-tracking apps.
Project Management tools
Project management software helps you keep track of your projects and tasks in one place.
We have a worldwide team, so we must stay organized while working remotely.
During our time at Marvelous, we've tried plenty of project management apps: from ClickUp to Notion to Basecamp.
After years of trial and error, we've finally settled on Monday.com.
It provides us with everything we need to plan and run our projects (from social media and blog scheduling to product launches). Part of the reason for this is that we can show projects in different views, e.g., Kanban and Gantt charts so that each individual using the same project can view it in a way that works for them.
Prior to using Monday, we used (and loved) the free version of Trello for many, many years. Trello is definitely an excellent first option if you're starting out in online business!
Automation software
There's no need to waste your creative time on the boring stuff that could be automated.
Popular automation tools include Zapier and IFTTT, allowing you to connect different apps and services to create automated processes.
For example, you could use Zapier to automatically create or update subscribers in Flodesk who purchase a product from your Marvelous site. Or ping a message into a dedicated Slack channel every time you get a sale! (Um, this might be our favorite thing ever…)
Communication Tools
Now more than ever, people are working remotely, which means having face-to-face meetings is few and far between, and being able to choose who you work with has become much more flexible.
Virtual Team Meeting Platforms
Virtual team meeting platforms are essential for solopreneurs who need to communicate with contractors, accountability partners, and new employees if you're considering growing your team.
Popular tools include Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams.
These platforms allow you to host virtual meetings with people from anywhere in the world (as long as there is an internet connection).
They also provide screen sharing and file transfer capabilities, making it easy for teams to collaborate remotely.
We began using Zoom pre-pandemic (way back in 2015). What we love is that it integrates seamlessly with Marvelous so that when we do any coaching sessions with our clients, we don't have to worry about sending a over a recoding of the video after the session.
Messaging Apps
Messaging apps are a great way for solopreneurs to stay connected with contractors or business networking groups quickly and easily.
There are so many options out there, but if you're running multiple projects with multiple people, then our preferred app is Slack.
As a small business owner, creator, or coach, the free option offers enough to get you going as your business grows.
Slack allows you to not only share messages between people in your group but you can create channels based on the project, e.g., Social Media Strategy, General, Market Research, and Content Creation, which could all be separate channels, making it easier to stay organized.
Email Marketing Platforms
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways for solopreneurs to reach out directly to their target audience on a regular basis.
Popular email marketing platforms include MailChimp, ConvertKit, and Flodesk.
These platforms offer automation & segmentation tools, customizable templates & design options, analytics & reporting features, and more (want 50% off Flodesk for your first year? Click here).
Email Automation & Segmentation Tools
Automation and segmentation tools allow you to easily create personalized emails tailored to each client's needs while tracking each campaign's performance in real-time.
With these tools, you can set up automated campaigns based on triggers.
For example, when a client subscribes to your weekly newsletter, that form can trigger an email welcome sequence.
You can also segment your list into different groups to send targeted messages to the right people at the right time.
Customizable Templates & Design Options
Email marketing platforms provide access to a wide range of customizable templates and design options so you can quickly and easily create visually appealing emails without needing coding knowledge or experience.
Most email marketing platforms come with drag-and-drop editors that make it easy for anyone – even those without technical skills – to customize your emails according to your brand identity or personal preferences in just a few clicks.
Some email marketing platforms even offer advanced analytics capabilities, such as A/B testing.
This allows you to compare two versions of an email side by side in order to determine which one performs better before sending out the final version at scale.
Look at this article if you're curious about finding the right email marketing platform.
Payment Processors
As a solopreneur, choosing an online payment processor is one of your most important decisions.
Each has its own unique benefits, and it's essential to understand the differences between them to find one that perfectly meets your business needs.
Two common choices are Stripe and Paypal.
Despite being widely used, Stripe and Paypal have distinct features that enable different functionalities – down to their specific customer experience.
Stripe is renowned for its flexible customization options and automated invoicing. At the same time, Paypal makes up for it by providing a more intuitive customer experience due to its emphasis on PayPal credit support.
Ultimately, when it comes to choosing between Stripe and Paypal, solopreneurs should consider the cost structure and which features best suit their business needs.
Content Creation Tools
As a creator, coach, or solopreneur, content creation tools are integral for building and scaling your personal brand.
Graphic design and video editing software can put you ahead of the curve in digital content production, allowing you to create visuals that will help gain traction and engage with audiences.
By utilizing these highly specialized tools, you'll be able to make your content stand out amongst the competition while increasing conversions and profits.
Whether you're a creator looking to monetize your work or a coach looking to grow your following, content creation tools are invaluable investments that will pay off in the long run.
Graphic Design Software
Graphic design software is a must-have for any online business. It allows you to create stunning visuals for marketing materials, websites, and more.
We love Canva for its ease of use. However, members of our team also use Adobe Creative Cloud.
These user-friendly tools offer features such as templates, drag-and-drop editing capabilities, and custom designs.
Video Editing Software
Video editing software is essential for creating engaging content for online courses or other projects.
Programs like Adobe Premiere Pro allow you to easily edit videos with features such as transitions, color correction tools, audio mixing capabilities, and more.
Suppose you want to edit podcasts, reels, or Tiktok videos, transcription, subtitles, and captions. In that case, Descript might be a better option.
Also, free video editors are available, like iMovie, which provide essential editing functions suitable for most needs.
Online Course Platforms
Online course platforms are essential for solopreneurs, creators, and coaches who want to create and sell courses or memberships online.
With online teaching platforms like Marvelous, solopreneurs can easily create engaging and interactive courses while also managing payments securely.
Content Creation & Delivery
Marvelous provides a variety of tools for creating and delivering content to your students or clients.
These tools include video hosting, quizzes, surveys, community groups, audio files, PDFs, text documents, and more.
You can also customize the look of your site, so it looks professional and attractive.
Additionally, you can use reports to track sales, students and their activity inside your site, and reports about the popularity of the content you have included in any of your products.
Automated Payment Processing
Marvelous offers automated payment processing using PayPal or Stripe integration, making it easy to accept payments from your clients without manually processing them yourself.
This is especially helpful if you have multiple courses available on your Marvelous site since all payments will be handled automatically in one place instead of having to manage them separately across different sites or services.
Online course and membership platforms provide a great way to create and deliver coaching materials, accept payments, and engage with students. With the right platform, you can take your online coaching or teaching to the next level.
FAQs about our recommended tools
What tools does a solopreneur need?
Solopreneurs need tools to help them create, market, and manage online courses, memberships, and programs. These tools include a website builder, an email marketing platform, payment processing software, course creation software, and analytics tracking. Additionally, they need access to a learning management system, like Marvelous, that enables the delivery of content in an organized manner and customer support features such as live chat or forums for engaging with students. Finally, solopreneurs should have resources available to help them build relationships with potential customers through social media platforms and other digital channels.
What is the most powerful tool solopreneurs have?
The most powerful tool solopreneurs have is the ability to create and share knowledge. With the right platform, you can use this knowledge to build a successful online business. By creating courses, memberships, communities, and coaching programs, you can reach more people with your expertise than ever before. You can also monetize your content by selling it on an easy-to-use teaching platform that lets them quickly set up payment plans and track progress. This empowers creators to scale their businesses while still maintaining control over how they deliver value to customers.
What is the most valuable business tool?
The most valuable business tool is an online teaching platform like Marvelous. It allows coaches, creators, and solopreneurs to easily create and manage their own courses, memberships, communities, and coaching programs. Marvelous provides the necessary tools for hosting engaging content such as videos, audio files, quizzes, assignments, and community groups. It also offers features like automated payments, reports, analytics, and marketing integration that help maximize reach to potential clients. With its easy-to-use interface and comprehensive feature set, Marvelous is a powerful asset in helping solopreneurs succeed in their businesses.
Conclusion
The best tools for solopreneurs, creators, and coaches are those that help you manage your tasks, increase your productivity, and maximize the time to invest in the activities that showcase your unique expertise.
By using these resources to run your business efficiently and effectively, solo entrepreneurs like you can create online offerings that impact people’s lives and grow your revenue to the point where you can hire a team of your own.
