Online Tools for Entrepreneurs

Online Tools for Entrepreneurs: How to start in a world of Amazon and Co. (CEO Tells All)#

Starting a business today is easier than ever before. That's the bottom line.

Like most entrepreneurs, I grew up wanting to follow in my father's footsteps. My father is an entrepreneur. Both of my uncles are entrepreneurs, my grandfather was an entrepreneur and my great-grandfather was an entrepreneur. Looking at our modern world, tech giants like Amazon, Google, Samsung, Microsoft and Apple are threatening many traditional corporate companies and buying up smaller companies that are demonstrating high potential.

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TL;DR? We know you're busy. Scroll down for a quick checklist of the best online tools for entrepreneurs._**

This kind of environment was intimidating but exhilarating to grow up in. So, while studying I was constantly contemplating: 'Should I start my own company? Would it be worth it? Would running a company now be the same as it was a few years ago?'

I then spent some years working in start-ups in Mexico and Turkey to learn as much as I could from industry experts. Here's what I discovered: NOW is definitely the best time to start a company. In fact, it's easier to start a digital business today than it ever was before.

Why? Because much fewer resources are required.#

A lot can be done by using online tools.

The digital era has made it possible for entrepreneurs to start a business with minimal resources. You don't need massive collateral to achieve success anymore. You can get affordable server hosting, content creation, professional email addresses, and accounting automation through companies such as DigitalOcean, Fiverr, GSuite, and Xero.

Team management, internal communication, and project management? Free platforms like Slack, Asana, and Indeed have you covered. Tracking key metrics has been simplified with Funnel, RJMetrics, Google Analytics, Yotpo, and Stamped. You can automate tasks with Zapier, and securely store all your usernames and passwords with LastPass.

<AcademyProTip>Start with free versions of these tools and upgrade only when your business growth demands it. This approach keeps your initial costs low while you validate your business model.</AcademyProTip>


What's the advantage of using online tools for entrepreneurship?#

Most of these tools are accessible for free, allowing you to set up your company's basic processes with a budget of around $1000 in just a few weeks. This is a massive shift from the past when starting a business required substantially more resources and a bigger financial commitment.

However, the ease of entry into markets also means there's more competition. You need to differentiate yourself, grow quickly and choose a market that's harder to imitate. For instance, online printing that has achieved scale and automation becomes a difficult model to duplicate, offering significant cost advantages.

Scale and defend - Photo by Garrhet Sampson on Unsplash

_Scale quickly and defend._

<AcademyQuote>The entrepreneurial landscape has changed dramatically, making it crucial to scale quickly and focus on a defensible market. Yet, the core challenges remain the same: solve a problem and stay relevant by adapting to your environment.</AcademyQuote>

I've learned that while the tools have evolved, the fundamentals haven't changed. You essentially need to solve a problem and stay relevant by adapting to your environment. This is what excites me the most and why I became an entrepreneur myself.

All the best, Alexander.

To recap, here are the best online tools for entrepreneurs:#

• 1Affordable website hosting – DigitalOcean or AWS
• 2Freelance creatives – Fiverr
• 3Professional email addresses – GSuite
• 4Automated accounting – Xero
• 5Email marketing and automation – MailChimp, Drip or Mautic
• 6Recruitment – Indeed
• 7Tracking – Funnel or RJMetrics and Google Analytics
• 8Internal communication – Slack or Mattermost
• 9Project management – Asana
• 10Customer Reviews – Yotpo or Stamped
• 11Automation and integration – Zapier
• 12Password Management – LastPass
• 13Canva: Graphic design tool

More about Alex#

Alexander Knieps is the founder of Printulu an online printing company in South Africa. Originally from Germany, in a short number of years, he has managed to build an empire with thousands of clients all over South Africa. He has his MSc in International Management and has several years of experience in managerial roles.


**More from Printulu founder, Alexander Knieps:**

1. Print Money?
2. Print is not dead, this business is proving it
3. #### More about Printulu

Printulu PTY Ltd is South Africa's first online printing company that specializes in printing offline marketing materials such as <a href="https://www.printulu.co.za/product/business-cards" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">business cards</a>, <a href="https://www.printulu.co.za/product/flyers" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">flyers</a>, <a href="https://www.printulu.co.za/product/posters" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">posters</a>, leaflets, <a href="https://www.printulu.co.za/product/letterheads" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">letterheads</a> and much more.

We've served thousands of clients across South Africa such as Starbucks, Curves, Spur, Ackermans, Medicare Pharmacy and many more!

Coupled with excellent and reliable customer service, and the lowest possible prices, we aim to provide our customers with an outstanding printing experience and full satisfaction.

Related:#

• 1Integrating print and online marketing – tools, tips and tactics
• 2Your business stationery checklist