Best Free Resources for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Last updated on March 14th, 2024

Entrepreneurship is a challenging yet rewarding journey. Every business owner or startup founder has to wear different hats to keep their business running successfully.

One of the key factors that drive success for an entrepreneur is finding great tools and great resources, especially ones that are helpful, but also easy on the “start-up” budget.

Thankfully, there are many free and low-cost resources available online that can help entrepreneurs and small business owners in different aspects of their business. From generating leads to managing tasks to accounting and financial management, free resources offer practical solutions for small businesses with a tight budget.

This post will highlight some of the best free resources available for entrepreneurs and small business owners. From productivity tools to marketing and sales resources, we’ll cover everything you need to keep your business running smoothly.

Note: It’s important to note that while some of these resources are free, they may have a paid version with more advanced features. However, the free version of these resources is still very beneficial for small business owners who cannot afford to invest in expensive tools and software, or who would like to try them before diving into the paid version.

These resources have been tested and proven to be effective by successful entrepreneurs and startups. I use many of these myself, and recommend them to my students.

So, if you’re looking to take your small business to the next level without breaking the bank, this post is for you.

Here’s a preview of the different types of FREE Business Resources that I have researched and listed below:

• Website Resources
• Project Management and Collaboration
• Marketing and Social Media
• Payments and Accounting
• Networking
• Productivity and Organization
• Web Development and SEO
• Miscellaneous

Website Resources

• Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) – For email, documents, and collaboration.
• Wix – Create a free website for your business.

Logo Makers

• Canva – This is one of my FAVORITE resources for making a great logo for businesses.
• Squarespace Logo Maker – Create a free logo for your business.
• LogoMakr – Another free logo design tool.

Project Management and Collaboration

• Trello – A project management tool to keep tasks organized.
• Asana – Another project management and task-tracking tool.
• Slack – For team communication and collaboration.
• Hive – Project management and collaboration platform.
• ClickUp – A comprehensive project management and productivity platform.

Email Marketing and Social Media 

• Mailchimp – For email marketing and automation.
• Canva – A graphic design tool for creating marketing materials.
• Hootsuite – Manage and schedule social media posts.
• Buffer – Another social media scheduling tool.
• Buffer Publish – Schedule and publish social media content.
• SoundCloud – Share and discover music or podcasts for marketing.
• Tailwind – Schedule and analyze Pinterest and Instagram posts.
• Moz Local – Manage your online presence and local SEO.
• Yelp for Business – Claim and manage your business listing on Yelp.
• Google My Business – Get your business on Google Maps and search.

Payments and Accounting:

• Venmo – Easily send and receive money from friends and clients.
• Cash App – Another option for sending and receiving money.
• Wave – Free accounting and invoicing software.
• PayPal – For sending and receiving payments online.
• Square – Payment processing and point-of-sale solutions.
• QuickBooks Online – A robust accounting software with a free trial.
• Zoho Books – Free accounting and invoicing software for small businesses.
• Harvest – Track time and expenses for projects and clients.

Networking: 

• LinkedIn – Connect with professionals and promote your business.
• Fiverr – Hire freelancers for various tasks.
• Upwork – Another platform to find freelancers and contractors.
• AngelList – Connect with investors and discover startup job opportunities.
• Kickstarter – Crowdfunding platform to fund your business idea.
• Gumroad – Sell digital products directly to your audience.
• LinkedIn Learning – Access courses on a wide range of business and technology topics.
• Khan Academy – Learn new skills or improve existing ones.
• Codecademy – Learn coding and web development skills.
• TED Talks – Inspirational talks on various topics, including entrepreneurship.
• Meetup – Discover local networking events and business meetups.
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator – Find potential leads and customers on LinkedIn.
• Bitrix24 – A free CRM and collaboration platform for small businesses.
• Zapier – Automate workflows by connecting different apps and services.

Productivity and Organization:

• Evernote – Organize notes, ideas, and tasks.
• Todoist – Task management and to-do list app for productivity.
• Calm – Meditation and relaxation app for stress relief.
• Headspace – Another mindfulness and meditation app for focus.
• Wunderlist – Create and share to-do lists and tasks.
• Notion – A versatile workspace for note-taking, project management, and more.
• LastPass – Securely store and manage passwords for your accounts.
• Todoist – Organize tasks, set priorities, and collaborate with others.
• FreeConferenceCall.com – Host free conference calls and video meetings.

Web Development and SEO: 

• Can I Use – Check browser compatibility for web development.
• Google Analytics – Track website traffic and user behavior.
• Google Keyword Planner – Plan your SEO and advertising strategies.
• KeywordTool.io – Find long-tail keywords for content creation.
• Google Trends – Research popular search topics and keywords.
• Bitly – Shorten and track links for marketing campaigns.
• Typeform – Create interactive surveys and forms.
• Zoho Mail – Another email service with business and collaboration tools.
• Google Drive – Google’s cloud storage and document management platform.
• Dropbox – Store and share files in the cloud.
• Airtable – A powerful spreadsheet and database tool for project management.
• GanttProject – Create and manage project timelines and Gantt charts.
• OpenTable – Manage reservations and bookings for restaurants.
• Acuity Scheduling – An online appointment scheduling tool.
• Tutanota – A secure email service with end-to-end encryption.
• Freshdesk – A customer support and helpdesk software.

Shopping for Deals:

ShopSavvy – Compare prices and find deals while shopping.

Miscellaneous:

• Skribbl.io – A fun online game to relax and socialize with others.
• Podbean – Start your own podcast and share your expertise or brand.
• Mint – Track and manage your personal and business finances in one place.
• Pexels – Find high-quality, royalty-free images and videos for marketing.
• Unsplash – Another excellent source of free, high-resolution images.
• Pixabay – A vast library of free images, videos, and music.
• Freepik – Download free graphics, vectors, and illustrations for design.
• Befunky – An online photo editor and graphic design tool.
• Bonsai – Create contracts, invoices, and proposals for freelancers.
• Ahrefs Backlink Checker – Analyze your website’s backlinks for SEO.
• Google Alerts – Monitor mentions of your business online.
• Todoist – A task manager and to-do list app.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as an entrepreneur or small business owner, the road to success can be challenging, especially when financial resources are limited. However, with the abundance of free resources available online, you don’t have to face these challenges alone.

In this blog post, I’ve explored some of the best free resources that can help you in various aspects of your business. Whether you need assistance with lead generation, task management, or financial management, these resources offer practical solutions without putting a dent in your budget.

While some of these resources may have a paid version with additional features, don’t discount the value of the free versions. They are still packed with useful tools and information that can drive your business forward.

So, if you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner who is looking to optimize your operations and enhance your business without spending a fortune, take advantage of these free resources. They have been tried and tested by successful entrepreneurs and are ready to support you on your entrepreneurial journey.

Remember, success doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With the right resources, dedication, and perseverance, you can achieve your business goals without breaking the bank.

Here’s to your success, and may these free resources pave the way for your entrepreneurial dreams to become a reality!

**Please check back here often as I will update this list as I find more FREE resources for business owners.

Let me know which FREE business resource is your favorite.