Best Business Tools: 8 I Use to Save Hours Running My Business

Running a Small Business Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

Running a business often feels like juggling a hundred moving pieces—client work, marketing, invoices, emails…the list never ends. The truth? I keep it simple and stick with tools that actually work.

These are the exact tools I use to run my business, manage clients, and stay organized. They save me hours, keep me consistent, and help me grow—without adding extra stress. These business tools help me work efficiently.

And because I’m an affiliate for some of these, I can share my links (and a few discounts!) so you can try them, too.

My Top Business Tools

1. Tool # 1: Fathom Analytics

Google Analytics can feel overwhelming with endless reports and confusing data. Fathom keeps it simple—clean dashboards, privacy-focused, and easy to understand at a glance. It gives me the numbers that matter (traffic, top pages, referrals) without the noise.


👉 [Try Fathom here + get $10 off]

2. Tool #2: UpLevel with Asana Course

Feeling like you’re drowning in sticky notes and to-dos? This course by Louise Henry shows you how to use Asana to streamline your projects, stay on top of deadlines, and create a system you’ll actually stick with. I’ve seen clients cut their daily stress in half just by implementing it.


👉 [Check it out here]

Asana project management tool dashboard helping small business owners organize tasks and save time.

Uplevel with ASANA

3. Tool #3: Later

Consistency on social media is tough, but Later makes it doable. I can plan and schedule weeks of content across Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook in one sitting. No more last-minute scramble to post—plus it has visual planning tools that help me see how everything will look together.


👉 [Start with Later here]

4. Tool #4: Dubsado

This is my behind-the-scenes lifesaver. Dubsado handles client contracts, onboarding, invoices, and even follow-up emails automatically. Instead of spending hours chasing paperwork, I can focus on client work and strategy. For service-based businesses, it’s worth every penny.

👉 [See Dubsado here]

5. Tool #5: ThriveCart

When it comes to selling digital products, I wanted a checkout that looked professional and didn’t eat into my profits with monthly fees. ThriveCart is a one-time investment, but it handles payments, upsells, and even affiliate management seamlessly. It’s the backbone of my digital product sales.

👉 [Learn more about ThriveCart]

ThriveCart checkout and sales platform for small business owners to manage payments and boost sales.

Thrivecart

6. Tool #6: ConvertKit - KIT

Email is still my number one way of building relationships and generating sales. ConvertKit makes it easy to set up sequences, tag subscribers, and send beautiful emails without needing a tech degree. My open rates hover around 40–50% because the platform helps me keep it personal.

👉 [Start with ConvertKit]

ConvertKit email marketing tool for small business owners to grow their audience and automate email campaigns.

Check out ConvertKit - KIT

7. Tool #7: Zeffy

If you’re running a nonprofit, this one is a no-brainer. Zeffy is the only fundraising platform I’ve found that doesn’t take a cut of your donations or ticket sales. That means more money goes directly to your mission. I even put together a free video course to help you get started.


👉 [Try Zeffy + get my free Video Course here]

8. Tool #8: Poppy AI (new for 2025)

AI is everywhere right now, but many tools are overwhelming or too generic. Poppy AI is designed to help small business owners repurpose content and generate fresh ideas without losing your voice. I’m just getting started with it, but I can already see how it will save me time on content creation.


👉 [See Poppy AI here]

Ready to Simplify and Grow?

These tools have been game-changers in my own business. I recommend starting with the ones that feel most aligned to where you are right now—whether it’s streamlining client systems, scheduling social media, or launching digital products.

👉 Bonus: Want my exact system for attracting and retaining clients?

[Grab the free Client Attraction Blueprint here.]

Client Attraction Swipe Kit free guide with proven email and message templates to help small business owners get clients faster.

Client Attraction Blueprint - Free Guide

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you choose to sign up. I only share tools I personally use and believe in.

Linda Handley

Linda Handley is a community builder, funding expert, speaker, and online educator.

She loves collaborating with nonprofits and creative entrepreneurs to build nonprofit strategies and plans. Her focus is on helping organizations grow and expand their impact.

https://www.LindaHandley.com
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