Seven digital tools every small-business owner needs in a post-COVID-19 economy

 Seven digital tools every small-business owner needs in a post-COVID-19 economy

As businesses start to emerge from the clasp from the global pandemic, it can be a difficult transition “back to normal”.

Whether this transition occurs at the end of 2021 or at the start of 2021, businesses are now on the lookout for the digital tools that will help arm them in a post-COVID-19 world.

After a year of working completely remote, here are some of the best digital tools we’ve accustomed to run, and grow, our business online during the pandemic.

1. Clipchamp 

Need help with your social media strategy but have very limited funds to employ a full-time social media manager? Clipchamp can help businesses to harness the power of video in its many forms, all-in-one convenient and affordable place.

Whether that's creating content for your company's Instagram, TikTok or Facebook page, to launching that video podcast you had been thinking about pre-pandemic, users can do all of this via its video editor tool. The basic tier allows unlimited video exports and it is free.

2. GoCardless 

Recurring payments platform GoCardless has seen success in helping businesses of all sizes accept direct debit payments as an alternative to credit card payments or invoices.

GoCardless payments are drawn from debit accounts (rather than using cards) for recurring payments like streaming subscription services, memberships and bills, which is the safest payment method for both merchants and customers.

3. Nitro 

Do you'll still believe that wet signatures are the only way to authenticate documents?

Global document productivity company Nitro recently announced the launch of their latest offering, Nitro Sign, a standalone electronic signature solution that allows anyone to get documents signed smarter, faster, and much more securely, on any device – without the need for paper, pen or printers.

4. Employment Hero

Being an employer comes with tremendous responsibility, especially following the COVID-19 crisis as financial stress, health concerns and uncertainty plague our workforces.

People management platform Employment Hero is a complete payroll, people and benefits solution for promising small to medium-sized businesses. The core platform offers an automated solution to help manage performance and lower admin time by as much as 80 per cent.

In response to the remote-work revolution spurred on through the global pandemic, Employment Hero also created Global Teams, an expert Employer Organisation (PEO) service tailored to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employ remote-workers internationally. 

5. Speedlancer 

If you'll need an extra pair of hands to obtain important tasks or projects completed while your team is on the lean side, you should consider getting a freelancer through Speedlancer.

Launched by Forbes 30 Under 30 serial entrepreneur Adam Stone, Speedlancer may be the first freelancing platform to harness the strength of the crowd for speed.

In three simple steps, business owners are able to get much-needed support from experienced freelancers who understand how to simply get the job done.

6. DebtForce 

Late payments and bad debts are two of the biggest cash flow killers for SMEs, and also the latest research by Illion shows they're on the rise. 

DebtForce is an AI-powered debt recovery platform helping businesses ease the financial burden of money owed. DebtForce empowers small business owners to take control of their finances by simplifying and accelerating the debt recovery process.

The platform enables creditors to lodge and track outstanding debts, and offers debtors flexible payment choices to ensure high rates of recovery.

7. Hassl

It can often be difficult to keep your team organised, motivated and productive at work, especially after the turbulent year that's been.

Hassl's all-in-one project management and collaboration tool streamlines everyday workflows and reduces time spent writing and replying to emails, messaging colleagues and completing to-do lists. 

Hassl allows teams to set up tasks to collaborate on and holds staff accountable via time-tracking, which lets users see how far along their colleagues are in completing their part of a project. 

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