Startup Essentials: TOP Tools Every Founder Needs

Starting a new business is very exciting, but it also can be a demanding challenge. As a business owner, you have a lot of work to take upon your shoulders. You will be managing a wide range of different responsibilities from advertising your brand and juggling finances to supporting your customers and supervising ongoing projects. Without a doubt, maximizing business efficiency should be one of the crucial elements of a new company. Regardless of your resources and teams, there are a few interesting startup essentials every founder needs to consider. Discover some of the greatest digital tools that can assist you in optimizing processes, automating routine duties, and maintaining a competitive edge.

TOP 5 Startup Essentials

Let us put it simply—there are thousands of apps and tools that might be considered a great addition to any new business. With such a variety of solutions, it might be difficult to choose the right ones that could potentially prove useful in your startup.

No worries, though! We got you covered! Here are the TOP 5 choices tailored for all emerging businesses out there.

Google Voice – A Basic Communication Platform

Effective communication serves as the foundation of any successful startup. For many companies, Google Voice is a go-to solution for seamless client engagements, team collaboration, or customer inquiries addressing. This tool acts as a dependable phone system that does not drain a company’s budget.

Furthermore, businesses can choose a Google Voice personal or business account to meet their needs and requirements. These two choices provide different levels of features and advantages, streamlining a wide variety of corporate processes.

Regardless of the account you prefer, this solution serves as an affordable and Internet-based phone service, which allows startups to set up a professional business number without the need for extra equipment. The following key advantages make Google Voice stand out of the crowd:

One Contact Number For All Devices – You can set up one phone number for your mobile phones, tablets, and PCs.
Call Forwarding & Voicemail Transcribing – No more overlooking any calls, and the ability to review messages later in text format.
Cost-Effective International Calls – Attractive pricing allows you to start global calls without stretching the budget.
Seamless Integration – Google provides smooth collaboration tools with other apps from their portfolio, including Gmail, Calendar, Meet, and Drive.

Google Voice is a must-have for startups that are searching for affordable tools that enable simple yet robust communication.

Stripe – Online Payments Made Easier

Startups working in the area of e-commerce will find it difficult at first to integrate convenient payment options. This is where Stripe comes in, ensuring modern payment methods are scaled for startup companies. This all-in-one platform allows businesses to take full control over their payment, invoicing, checkout, and subscription features.

The latest technological additions to Stripe include automated revenue and finance techniques, allowing companies to build a strong foundation by restructuring workflows. You can also easily integrate this tool with other software, such as Mailchimp, Salesforce, and Xero. Fully customized app integrations from the Stripe App Marketplace are also a great feature here.

Stripe is a suggested payment solution for those who want to offer a wide variety of payment methods, including credit cards, digital wallets, electronic wires, and local payment options. With advanced security and high scalability, businesses can seamlessly start offering customers a safe and reliable way to pay for products or services.

HubSpot – Automated Sales and Customer Relationship Management

New companies looking for a complex solution to automate their sales, should consider subscribing to HubSpot. There are great resources for startups at the ready. Creators of this all-in-one platform claim that emerging businesses can save up to 75% on the AI-powered Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool offered here.

However, if you do not feel like subscribing to a paid plan, you can also try HubSpot for free. Accessing a free trial seems like the perfect option for those who want to see what automation in B2C processes actually looks like. The most popular features will allow you to set auto follow-ups, email campaigns, as well as social media scheduling.

What also makes HubSpot a great platform is its approach to data handling. Users can get valuable insights on their customers, and utilize detailed AI-based analytics to improve their relationships. Even though the platform is a bit costly, it pays off in a short time. Hence, it should be considered as one of the best startup essentials.

Canva – Graphic Design Made Easier Than Ever Before

We get it—building a startup requires looking for savings. Sometimes the initial costs of starting a business might be a bit overwhelming. Especially when you contact marketing agencies or freelancers to receive a quote for graphic designs. How about a free alternative called Canva?

Canva is an online platform, which comes in the form of a web app and a mobile app. It allows its users to create graphic designs for free, but there are also paid plans for enterprises and teams. This solution has a few fantastic advantages for non-designers:

The editing is based on a drag-and-drop method, so literally no design skills are required.
Even the free version allows users to access thousands of templates and images.
Collaboration features ensure seamless real-time teamwork on any design.

The list could go on and on and on. Instead of bragging about Canva benefits for startups, we encourage you to try the tool out yourself. It is a game-changing experience (and can save you a lot of money!).

Trello – Hassle-Free Project Management

At first, many emerging businesses struggle with multiple projects at once. Juggling them often seems a difficult challenge, which can be a lot easier with tools like Trello for Startups. This platform provides a visual drag-and-drop board to successfully manage and allocate tasks. As a result, companies can easily oversee how project management is handled.

Trello is great for building a workspace, where all the team members can interact and collaborate on specific tasks. What is more, you can set up meetings online, create corporate goals, and overview the overall progress.

The tool is also good for scaling up and down, as Trello provides valuable actionable insights and key metrics. These allow you to make informed and data-driven decisions to make your startup grow. It really gives a nice fuel to new businesses.

Choose What Is Best For You

Even though startups bump into various obstacles, they can improve their activities with the use of appropriate digital resources. Start optimizing your business even before you officially start it, by choosing the best tools that will enhance your productivity, lower expenses, and promote the effective expansion of your business.

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More Recommended Ebike/Scooters

Check out these other ebikes and scooters I've reviewed:

Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
Hiboy S2 Scooter – The Hiboy S2 is an excellent entry-level commuter scooter that's perfect for someone looking to save some money in transportation costs and improve their commute. Check out my Hiboy S2 Review.
Hiboy S2R Scooter – The Hiboy S2R is one of the more interesting electric scooters I’ve been able to test out. It’s not a high-powered scooter, but for an everyday transport option, it’s very useful, especially given some of the unique features that it has. Indeed, for the price, the Hiboy S2R might be the best value scooter I’ve used. Check out my Hiboy S2R Review.
Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.

More Recommended Investing App Bonuses

For additional investing app bonuses, be sure to check out the ones below:

M1 Finance ($100) – This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account. Check out my M1 Finance Referral Bonus – Step-By-Step Guide.
SoFi Invest ($25) – SoFi Invest is an easy brokerage account bonus that you can earn with just a few minutes of work. Use my SoFi Invest referral link, fund your SoFi Invest brokerage account with just $10 and you’ll get $25 of free stock. I also have a step-by-step guide for the SoFi Invest referral bonus.
Webull (20 free stock shares) – Webull's current promotion gives you 20 free shares valued between $3-$3,000 each if you open an account using my referral link. Here’s a guide I wrote about how to earn your free shares using Webull.
Moomoo (15 free stocks) – Moomoo is a free investing app currently offering 2 different referral bonuses if you open an account using a referral link. Read my Moomoo referral bonus guide for more information.
Robinhood (1 free stock) – Robinhood gives you a free stock valued between $2.50-$225 if you open an account using my referral link.
Public (1 free stock) - Public gives you a free stock valued between $3-$70 if you open an account using my referral link.

More Recommended Bank Account Bonuses

If you’re looking for more easy bank bonuses, check out the below options. These bonuses are all easy to earn and have no fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.

Upgrade ($200) – Upgrade is a free checking account that’s currently offering a $200 referral bonus if you open an account and complete a direct deposit. These bonus terms are easy to meet, so it’s well worth doing this bonus as soon as you can. Here’s a post I wrote with more details: Upgrade $200 Referral Bonus – Step By Step Directions.
Ally Bank ($100) – Of all the banks out there, Ally is, without a doubt, my favorite. At the moment, Ally is offering $100 to customers who open an eligible Ally account and meet the requirements. Here are the step-by-step directions to earn your Ally Bank referral bonus.
Fairwinds Credit Union ($175) – Fairwinds Credit Union is offering a referral bonus for users that sign up using a referral link. Fairwinds has no fees or minimum balance, so this is a particularly easy bonus to earn. Since this is a smaller credit union, my gut instinct tells me this offer won’t be around long, so if you’re in a position to meet the bonus requirements, grab this bonus before it’s gone. Here is my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Fairwinds Credit Union bonus.
Chime ($100) - Chime is a free bank account that offers a referral bonus if you use a referral link and complete a direct deposit of $200 or more. In practice, any ACH transfer into this account triggers the bonus. This bonus is easy to earn and posts instantly, so you’ll know if you met the requirements as soon as you move money into the account. I wrote a step-by-step guide on how to earn your Chime referral bonus that I recommend you check out.
US Bank Business ($900) – This is a fairly easy bank bonus to earn, since there are no direct deposit requirements. In addition, you can open the Silver Business Checking account, which comes with no monthly fees. Check out how to earn this big bonus here.
GO2Bank ($50) - GO2Bank is an easy bank bonus that I recommend people take advantage of if they have an easy way of meeting the direct deposit requirement. I like that it’s easy to open the account and that the bonus pays out quickly. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your GO2Bank $50 referral bonus.
Current ($50) – Current is a free fintech bank that’s offering new users a $50 referral bonus after signing up for an account using a referral link. Current is an easy bonus to earn and also gives you access to three savings accounts that pay you 4% interest on up to $2,000. That means you can put away up to $6,000 earning 4% interest. That’s very good and makes Current an account I recommend to everyone. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Current Bank bonus.
Novo Bank ($40) - Novo bank is a free business checking account that’s currently offering a $40 bonus if you open a Novo business checking account using a referral link. In addition to being a good bank bonus, Novo is also a good business checking account. It has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and operates a good app and website. Indeed, it’s the business checking account I currently use for this blog. Check out my post on how to easily open a Novo account.
Varo ($25) – Varo is a free fintech banking app similar to Chime or Current. It’s currently offering a $25 bonus to new users that open a new Varo account with a referral link. The bonus for this bank is very easy to meet, all you need to do is spend $20 within 30 days of opening your Varo account. Check out my step-by-step guide to learn how to earn this bonus.

Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.

Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.

Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:

SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link, and an additional $300 if you complete a direct deposit.
5% Savings Accounts. I'm currently getting 5.24% interest on my savings through a company called Raisin. Opening a Raisin account takes minutes to complete, it's free, and all of your funds are FDIC-insured. I explain how it works, why I'm now using it to store my emergency fund and any other cash savings I have, and why I recommend everyone check it out in this review.
US Bank Business. US Bank is currently offering new business customers a $900 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements.
M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account.
Empower. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.

Feel free to send Kevin a message here.