As a local business, embracing the digital era is crucial for standing out and staying competitive. Whether you’re a small shop or a growing service provider, digital tools can streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and boost your marketing efforts. Here’s a list of 7 top digital tools that every local business should consider using.
1) Canva
Managing social media accounts can be time-consuming, but Hootsuite simplifies the process. In fact, it’s an excellent tool to use alongside a social media content calendar to ensure your posts are strategically planned and consistently published.
This graphic design tool is perfect for creating social media posts, flyers, business cards, and other marketing materials. Its user-friendly interface and vast template library make it easy for anyone to create professional-looking designs, regardless of their skill level.
- Social Media Graphics: Easily design eye-catching social media posts for Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Marketing Collateral: Create print materials such as brochures, banners, and business cards.
- Brand Consistency: You can upload logos and use brand colors to ensure your designs are consistent with your business identity.
With both free and paid versions, Canva offers flexibility to suit different business needs.
2) Square
Square is an essential tool for local businesses in need of an efficient point-of-sale (POS) system. Whether you’re running a retail shop or offering services in-person, Square allows you to accept payments via card, mobile wallet, or even invoices.
- Payment Processing: Accept credit and debit card payments easily with affordable transaction fees.
- Inventory Management: Track your stock in real-time, ensuring you never run out of popular items.
- Customer Insights: Square provides detailed analytics, giving you insights into customer behavior and sales trends.
This versatile tool can be used both online and in-store, making it an excellent choice for all local businesses.
3) SocialPilot Reviews
SocialPilot Reviews is a powerful tool designed to help local businesses manage their online reputation effectively. It centralizes customer feedback from multiple platforms, streamlines review collection and enables businesses to respond quickly, helping them build trust and attract more customers.
Key Features:
- Centralized Review Management: Handle reviews from platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp from a single dashboard.
- Automated Review Requests: Send email and SMS campaigns to gather customer feedback effortlessly.
- Real-Time Notifications: Get instant alerts when new reviews are posted, ensuring timely responses.
- Multi-Location Support: Perfect for local businesses managing multiple locations or franchises.
- Customizable Campaigns: Personalize review requests to suit your brand’s voice and approach.
Pricing:
- Starter: Free (1 brand, 100 email credits per month).
- Pro: $25.50/month (billed annually) with unlimited brands, 5,000 email credits, and advanced features.
4) Hootsuite
Managing social media accounts can be time-consuming, but Hootsuite simplifies the process. This social media management tool allows you to schedule posts, track engagement, and measure the performance of your campaigns across various platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
- Scheduling: Pre-schedule posts to maintain a consistent online presence without having to post manually.
- Analytics: Get insights into how your posts are performing, helping you fine-tune your strategy.
- Multiple Accounts: Manage multiple social media profiles from one platform, saving time and effort.
Hootsuite offers free and premium plans, giving businesses of all sizes the tools they need to succeed online.
5) Trello
Trello is a powerful project management tool that helps teams stay organized and collaborate efficiently. Local businesses can use Trello to track tasks, manage projects, and keep their teams on the same page.
- Task Organization: Create boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks and deadlines.
- Collaboration: Assign tasks to team members and collaborate in real-time with comments and file sharing.
- Visual Workflows: Use Trello’s visual interface to get a clear view of project progress.
Whether you’re managing a marketing campaign or organizing daily tasks, Trello can keep everything on track.
6) Mailchimp
Email marketing is an essential tool for keeping your customers engaged and informed. However, issues like email sent but not received by recipients can sometimes occur, affecting your campaigns. Mailchimp is one of the best platforms for creating and sending email newsletters, promotional offers, and event invitations, and it also offers tools to troubleshoot and ensure your emails reach their intended recipients.
- Email Campaigns: Design professional-looking emails without needing coding skills, thanks to pre-built templates.
- Segmentation: Segment your audience based on customer behavior, ensuring your messages are targeted and relevant.
- Automation: Set up automated emails for tasks like welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and more.
With free and paid plans, Mailchimp caters to businesses of various sizes, making email marketing accessible to all.
7) Zendesk
Providing excellent customer service is crucial for local businesses to build trust and foster long-term relationships. Zendesk is a robust customer support platform designed to help businesses manage customer inquiries efficiently and deliver exceptional service.
Key Features:
- Multi-Channel Support: Manage customer queries from email, social media, phone, and chat—all from a single platform.
- Ticketing System: Organize customer interactions into a streamlined ticketing system, ensuring no request falls through the cracks.
- Self-Service Options: Create a knowledge base and FAQ section to empower customers to find answers independently.
- Analytics and Reporting: Gain insights into customer support performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Integration: Seamlessly integrate Zendesk with other tools, such as CRM systems and e-commerce platforms to enhance your performance through fully integrated solutions.
Pricing:
- Essential Plan: Starts at $19/month per agent.
- Professional Plan: Offers advanced features for $49/month per agent.
Conclusion
As the digital world continues to evolve, local businesses must embrace technology to stay relevant and thrive. The 7 digital tools highlighted in this article cover key areas such as marketing, payments, project management, and customer engagement. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to grow, integrating these tools into your operations will streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance your digital presence. By leveraging these resources, you can better connect with your customers, boost productivity, and gain a competitive edge in your local market.
