The Internet is vast and full of applications.

When you are running your own business, taking the time to evaluate different types of software is a luxury you cannot afford. Therefore, we have compiled this list of free applications and services that we recommend for businesses starting out (and even for businesses further along!)

Must Haves

No matter your business, these apps should be in your arsenal:

Evernote

Evernote is more than an application – it is a lifestyle. Designed to capture any information you want to add to it, from any device, and then instantly recall it, as well as allow you to annotate, share, and even suggest other content, it is an essential business tool. Available for free up to 60MB per month.

Google (Anything)

Google has so many useful services for the small business, we could create a list of just those. We would like to especially highlight Google Analytics (find out who your customers are) , Google Alerts (get relevant information quickly), Google Voice (create a virtual phone number, with customized greetings), Google Hangouts (online video conferencing and broadcasting), Youtube (online video) and Google My Business (list your business as a Place Page and destination within Google Maps.)

Social Media

When devising your Online Marketing strategy, you need to first define who your customers are. Different demographics will utilize different types of social media, and for vastly different purposes.

Here’s a look at the ones your business can’t ignore, no matter your industry.

Facebook

1.2 Billion people actively use Facebook every month. It’s a good bet your customers are some of them. If you don’t have at least a free Facebook Page for your company, you should create one right away.

Instagram

300 Million people use Instagram every month to share their daily experiences in a visually creative way. This is a great way to find local brand ambassadors.

Twitter

Almost 250 Million people actively use Twitter each month to communicate news and information, and it is a great source of connecting with influencers.

Almost 400 Million people use Linkedin to engage about business related topics and make connections. If you are not represented here, people may feel your business is less professional.

If you have an online store, set up a Pinterest board with high quality images. People referred to ecommerce sites from Pinterest tend to spend more on average than from other social media outlets.

Marketing

Your online presence is how the rest of the world sees you. Make it count with the following applications and services.

WordPress

WordPress is a very easy to use Content Management System that allows you to set up a professional looking website quickly and easily, without needing an IT department.

Tumblr

If you have a shop or restaurant targeted to people under 34 (Tumblr’s demographic), you may want to consider setting up a Tumblr site to capitalize on their easy to use dashboard feature. If you have a lot of Visual Content to share, this is a great option as well.

HARO

Want to get your company’s name out there in the world without paying for an expensive PR team? Help A Reporter Out is a great service that sends you up to three emails day from reporters looking for interview sources. Be helpful and you’ll get your name out there!

Quora

This is a site that is great for businesses in two different ways: It allows you a place to ask questions from experts and get well researched answers for free, and it also allows you a proving ground for your own business experience.

MailChimp

This is a free and easy to use tool for setting up and managing your own email marketing campaigns. It is free for the first 2000 Email subscribers and 12,000 emails sent per month.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is great for viewing all of your social media in one place, as you can save searches, view content and post all from one central location.

Business Development

It’s never too late to work on developing your business. Check out these entries to help increase your value.

SCORE

SCORE is a free program that offers mentorship, business advice, financial assistance, training and other assistance in locations throughout the United States.

Enloop

Having trouble putting a full business plan together? Enloop can help you by creating a basic business plan for free.

HR

Every business needs employees. Finding them and treating them well can be tough. Here’s some services that can help.

SourceHub

Sourcehub from Socialtalent is a free deep search tool that allows you to utilize LinkedIn to find qualified candidates for new roles, or to find potential new customers. Very highly recommended.

Zenefits

You found some employees? Zenefits is a tool that you can use to onboard, manage and offboard them. Take care of benefits, payroll, and business taxes all in one place.

Finance

Keeping on top of your finances is essential for a small business. Automate your payroll, invoices and bookkeeping with these applications.

Wave Accounting

Wave offers simple accounting for the small business, with some advanced features like Stripe integration. If you don’t need customized reports, this is for you.

Mint

When you’re running a small business or are an independent contractor, keeping on top of your personal finances can be daunting. Mint can send you automated notices when you have bills coming due, when balances are low, when checks have been deposited, and at other times that you set.

Square

If you are selling items, having a Square will allow you to take credit cards from people in person without complicated equipment or long-term contracts. Even a garage sale can turn into an online business.

Design

What would the internet be without art? A cold, dark place. Here’s some tools to help you avoid that.

Canva

Want to create a Madison Avenue marketing campaign on a Walmart budget? Canva is the tool for you. You can create beautiful designs for Facebook, Email, Twitter, Websites, Restaurant Menus, etc with little or no design experience – all for free!

Screenr

Have you ever needed to send someone a demonstration of something on your computer screen? This app allows you to do it quickly and easily.

Infogram

Have you seen those infographics that are all over Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and every website on the internet? You can create your own for free on Infogram.

Productivity

The more efficiently a business runs, the more successful it can be. These applications can help you keep on track!

Remember the Milk

This is a simple to-do list application that allows you to create quick reminders while on the go.

Asana

It can be daunting to keep yourself on task, but this full featured project management app has you covered. It is designed for people who love checklists. Free for up to 10 team members.

Trello

Another project management application, but this one is designed for people who love to visualize their projects on a Post-it style board. Also free for teams.

Doodle

Hate wasting time emailing back and forth to set up meetings? This service allows people to book meetings with you automatically.

Appointy

Another meeting booking service, this one has a few more features at the free level such as website integration and a mobile version.

Follow Up Then

A simple service that reminds you to follow up with people a certain number of days after you’ve emailed them. Great for sales.

IFTTT

This tool allows you to integrate many products and services on the internet and automate a lot. It can be a huge time saver for the small business owner.

CRM

Keeping track of your customers and for sales and support is something that every company needs at any stage. Here’s some free tools too help you do that.

Insightly

Insightly is a Customer Relationship Management tool for small business that is free for light usage. It provides detailed insight into contacts, customers, companies and your business processes.

Zoho CRM

Zoho has a full suite of free applications available, but their CRM is really the centerpiece. It is surprisingly customizable and allows a small business to capture a ton of information on their customers and sales leads.

Analytics

There’s a ton of data out there about your business – successful businesses keep on top of it so they can act quickly and effectively.

Socialmention

Social Mention is free, real-time social media search and analysis. This can help you to monitor customer sentiment and reply quickly to issues.

Mention

This is also a social media monitoring tool. However, this has a much cleaner interface, and allows you to set up alerts and feeds.

Alexa

Alexa calculates their page rank partly via their Alexa Toolbar. If the people visiting your site don’t have this toolbar installed, the lower your ranking.

Hubspot Marketing Tools

This free set of tools by HubSpot can tell you how well your website and Social Media outlets are performing in the Social Media world, and give you insights on how to improve.

Gathering Data

The more information you have from your customers, the better you will be able to serve them. Here are some companies that can help you with getting that information.

Wufoo

If you would like to collect data online, Wufoo allows you to create customized online forms without needing any programming skill.

Survey Monkey

SurveyMonkey gives you a way to create Surveys and has really awesome reporting features. It is great for finding out any information you need – like Customer Satisfaction or Marketing Questions.

Website Builders

Want to build an amazing website on a shoestring budget? You have a wide range of options out there that you may not have heard about. Check out the following offerings from some pretty big companies.