Business Success: 8 Simple Digital Tools to Guide You

One of the key aspects of my daily work is helping businesses find the right tools to help them reach their goals. For businesses that have not used digital tools before, we begin with digitization, which means changing from older methods to modern digital ones, also known as digital enablement. The next step is digitalization, where we shift existing processes into digital technologies. This part of my job is my favourite because it lays the foundation for the third stage, which is digital transformation. Digital transformation involves figuring out how to use technology to create new products and services, make existing ones better, and make processes more efficient.

Figure 1: Difference between digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation

In this blog, I will be giving you a list of  eight (8) basic tech tools that can be used and change depending on what kind of business you have, how big it is, and what you want to achieve. So, it is essential to think about your business carefully. Consider things like what your industry needs in terms of technology, how much work your business does, and your specific goals. By choosing the right tools that match your goals, you can make your business run better. Also, remember to check your tools from time to time to make sure they still work well for you, especially since the business world keeps changing and growing. 

1. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): 

Google Workspace offers essential tools like Gmail for email, Google Docs for document creation, Google Sheets for spreadsheets, and Google Slides for presentations. It's a cloud-based suite that is easy to use and collaborate on.

2. Canva

Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool that helps create eye-catching visuals for marketing materials, social media, and presentations. It offers a range of templates and design elements. A basic level of design is required to create something that can be learned easily. Create an account here; https://www.canva.com/

3. Social Media Management Tools

Effective social media management is crucial for marketing and branding. These tools allow you to schedule posts, analyse performance, and engage with your audience across various platforms. Try Zoho Social here for free for 14 days: https://bit.ly/3P6kNk4 

Other Examples are: Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social 

4. Email Marketing Platforms 

Email marketing remains a powerful tool for reaching and engaging customers. These platforms offer customizable email templates, automation, and analytics. Try Zoho Campaign here for free for 14 days: https://bit.ly/488zxaR 

Other Examples are: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or ConvertKit.

5. Financial Management Software

When I first started my business, I relied on spreadsheets to handle my income and expenses. However, I soon realised that this manual approach was incredibly time-consuming and stressful. That's when I discovered accounting software, which has been a game-changer for me over the past six years. This software simplifies financial management for small businesses, making tasks like tracking income, managing expenses easier. It offers features like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, inventory management, and financial reporting. With Zoho Books, businesses can efficiently handle their bookkeeping tasks and gain insights into their financial performance. Try Zoho books here for free for 14 days: https://bit.ly/3NBsVsc 

6. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

A CRM is a comprehensive customer relationship management solution designed to help businesses manage their sales, marketing, and customer support activities. It provides features such as contact management, lead tracking, sales forecasting, email marketing, and analytics. It also allows businesses to streamline their customer interactions and improve their sales processes. Try Zoho Bigin here for free for 14 days: https://bit.ly/3NBsVsc 

Other Examples are: Salesforce or HubSpot

7. Website Building Platforms 

A professional website is a must for any business. These platforms offer user-friendly website builders, hosting, and design templates. Try Zoho Commerce here for free for 14 days: https://bit.ly/3EzqdPH . The e-commerce solution that equips businesses with the tools they need to succeed in the digital marketplace. Its user-friendly features, scalability, and integration capabilities make it a valuable asset for businesses looking to establish a strong online presence and drive e-commerce success.

Other Examples are:WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace

8. Project management Tools

A project management tool that helps businesses plan, collaborate, and track progress on projects. It offers features like task management, document sharing, time tracking, Gantt charts, and reporting. Zoho Projects enables teams to stay organised, collaborate efficiently, and meet project deadlines. While project management tools are valuable for organising and tracking tasks, they may be less critical if your business operations are relatively simple.  Try Zoho Projects  here for free for 14 days: https://bit.ly/3NBsVsc 

Other Examples are:Asana

Go beyond just digitization and prepare yourself  for digital transformation and I am here to help you on that journey.

Image Reference: Management of public sector records in the digital age - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Difference-between-digitization-digitalization-and-digital-transformation_fig2_359722719 [accessed 11 Sep, 2023]

My name is Primera Muthoni, and I enjoy supporting entrepreneurs by helping them navigate and adopt technology to accelerate business growth.

Business Consultant at Analytics Business Centre and Associate Consultant (Uganda Management Institute)