9 Tools to Get Your Company Through 2016

Without the right tools, your company will be steeped in double work and lost revenue. There are thousands of contractors, software options, apps and more out there, and sorting through them all can be a full-time job in itself! Here’s your cheat sheet, the nine most important tools you’ll need to dominate in 2016:

1. The right contractors/outsourced roles: Take a look around the company and see where you might not need full-time or permanent employees. One of the best tools available is the ability to outsource, whether it’s with your blogs, HR, accounting or web development.
   
2. Google AdWords: If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a marketing guru or costly online campaigns, start with AdWords. You can easily put together a campaign yourself and adjust the budget so you never overspend. Plus, you learn as you go.
   
3. Facebook Analytics: You likely use Facebook for business, but if you’re not following the analytics it’s a waste of time. Fortunately, the built-in analytics tools is a gem. If you’re just starting out, it’s very worthwhile to learn FB’s own tool first.
   
4. WordPress: Perfect for building a free or low-cost website or blog, WordPress is truly intuitive. Stop overpaying web designers to do the exact same thing (many use WordPress themselves!). Especially for content that regularly needs changing or updating, it’s time to learn it yourself.
   
5. Venngage: Easily make your own infographics online without needing to hire a graphic designer for this simple task. It’s free, the results are beautiful, and it’s a very user-friendly tool you’ll quickly fall in love with.
   
6. iPiccy: Don’t want the expense or expertise involved with PhotoShop? Unless you’re in certain industries, you don’t need that complicated a software. In fact, iPiccy is a great, free, online solution that doesn’t take up any space on your work PCs. Edit images, add text, and get much more control than your basic Instagram editing options.
   
7. Shoeboxed: Ideal for small businesses, Shoeboxed lets you easily snap a photo of business receipts, organize them and store them in the cloud. At the end of each quarter and tax year, you won’t be scrambling to get your tax receipts in order.
   
8. AllConferences.com: Don’t miss out on the perfect industry event or conference ever again! Going to these events benefit your company, your employees, and they’re often a complete tax write-off. Sign up to get notified of any industry-related conferences here, or peruse upcoming events so you can sign up with early bird specials.
   
9. RemitRight: Need to send money overseas, either to foreign-based employees or clients? RemitRight guarantees the best rates, especially between western and Asian countries. It’s transparent, low-cost, and you never have to wonder if you’re getting the best exchange rate. In an increasingly global market, being able to transfer money internationally at low costs is key.

Having the right tools is just as important as having the right employees or business plan. Especially in the early stages of a startup, it can make or break you. With these nine tools, the odds are in your favor.

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