Tools for Bootstrappers

Tools for Bootstrappers

Tools mentioned in

"Brave Bootstrapping"

Planning

Gazelles | Strategic Planning Insights | Original One-Page Strategic Plan. https://gazelles.com/resources/growth-tools
Creativity, Brainstorming, Team Building. http://www.ideachampions.com
Online mind mapping. https://www.mindmeister.com
Organize Anything, Together. https://trello.com

Setting up a website

Build a Website. Squarespace. http://www.squarespace.com
WordPress – Create a Website or Blog – https://wordpress.com
WordPress Templates. https://wordpress.com/themes
WordPress Themes & Website Templates. https://themeforest.net
Web Technology Profiler. http://www.builtwith.com

Search Engine Optimization tools

Google Analytics Solutions – Marketing Analytics & Measurement. https://www.google.com/analytics
Steps to a Google-friendly Site https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/40349?hl=en
Google Webmasters – Support, Learn, Connect & Search Console https://www.google.com/webmasters/#?modal_active=none
SEO Software, Tools & Resources for Smarter Marketing. Moz. http://www.Moz.com
Keywords Explorer. https://ahrefs.com/keywords-explorer
Keyword Research & Strategy with Keyword Planner. Google AdWords. https://adwords.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner

Competitor analysis (& SEO) tools

Backlink Checker. https://ahrefs.com/backlink-checker
Competitors Research, Shows Organic and Ads Keywords for Any Site or Domain. http://www.semrush.com
Steal Your Competitors’ Traffic & Uncover Their Conversion Strategy. http://www.ispionage.com
Download Your Competitors’ Most Profitable Keywords and Ads For Paid and Organic Search. https://www.spyfu.com
WhatRunsWhere | Display, Mobile & Native Ad Intelligence.  https://www.whatrunswhere.com
Google Alerts – Monitor the Web for Interesting New Content. http://www.google.com/alerts
Website Mentions and Google Alerts Alternative.  https://moz.com/tools/fresh-web-explorer

Digital Marketing Education

Content marketing tools

Digital Marketing Tools Including a Content Idea Generator. http://www.portent.com
Create and Share Visual Ideas Using Infographics. http://www.easel.ly
Infographic application which allows users without intensive experience as graphic designers to easily create infographics and visuals using themed templates. https://piktochart.com

Tools to improve website conversions

A/B Testing & Heatmaps. https://www.crazyegg.com
The Content Experiments Interface – Analytics Help.  https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1745152?hl=en
Website Experimentation Platform. https://www.optimizely.com
Website Heatmaps and Visitor Recordings https://www.hotjar.com

Inbound marketing & email newsletter platforms

Marketing Automation Software. http://www.marketo.com
HubSpot Inbound Marketing – https://www.hubspot.com
The Customer Success Platform To Grow Your Business. http://www.salesforce.com
Email Newsletter and Marketing Automation. MailChimp. http://www.mailchimp.com

Design

Stock images

Stock Photos, Royalty-free Images & Video Clips. https://www.istockphoto.com
Stock Photos, Royalty-Free Images, and Vectors. https://www.shutterstock.com
Stock Photos, Videos, and Vectors. https://www.bigstockphoto.com
Flaticon, the Largest Database of Free Vector Icons. http://www.flaticon.com
Fonts, Logos & Icons. http://www.graphicriver.com

Prototyping

Flinto – Mac app to create interactive and animated prototypes of app designs http://www.flinto.com
Digital Product Design, Workflow & Collaboration. http://www.invisionapp.com
Free Mobile & Web Prototyping (iOS, Android). https://marvelapp.com
Prototype Apps. http://www.mockplus.com
Connect Your Apps and Automate Workflows. https://zapier.com

 

HR

DiSC Profile – What Is DiSC®? The DiSC Personality Profile Explained. https://discprofile.com/what-is-disc/overview
Easy-to-Use HR Software. https://www.bamboohr.com/
Great Teams Start with Belbin. http://www.belbin.com/about/belbin-team-roles
Reviews, 360s, Ongoing Feedback and Objectives. https://www.small-improvements.com
Sales Aptitude Test Assessments.” https://www.asherstrategies.com/aptitude-assessments
The Myers & Briggs Foundation – MBTI® Basics. http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/home.htm?bhcp=1/

Formalizing processes

Business Process Management (BPM) Software, Online Process Mapping Tool http://www.promapp.com
Confluence – Team Collaboration Software. https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence
Collaboration Platform With CRM, Tasks, Projects, Documents, Messaging And Much More. http://www.bitrix24.com
Project Management & Team Communication Software. http://www.basecamp.com
SweetProcess documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) with a team. http://www.sweetprocess.com

Financial

Invoicing, expense-tracking, and reporting tool for small business owners http://www.invoice2go.com
Online Accounting Software. http://www.xero.com

Legal

Top Attorneys on Demand: Online Business Legal Services, Advice, Free Forms. https://www.upcounsel.com/
Business Legal Services. https://www.lawtrades.com/
Top Lawyers On-Demand at Exceptional Rates.  https://www.priorilegal.com/

Outsourcing

Hire Freelancers Online & Find Freelance Work. https://www.peopleperhour.com
Virtual Assistants. https://www.fancyhands.com
Fiverr – Freelance Services Marketplace for The Lean Entrepreneur. http://www.fiverr.com
Freelancer – Hire & Find Jobs. http://www.freelancer.com
Upwork, the World’s Largest Online Workplace. http://www.upwork.com

Customer Support

Customer Service and Helpdesk Ticket Software. https://www.desk.com
Customer Service Software & Support Ticket System. https://www.zendesk.com