Marketing Resource Guide for Solo and Small Business Owners
Keep it simple with free and low-cost marketing tools
Navigating the world of marketing tools can be overwhelming, especially when you're managing everything solo or with a small team. This guide categorizes essential tools by function and cost, helping you make informed decisions without stretching your budget.
Website Builders
1. Squarespace
Cost: Starts at $16/month (Personal plan).
Features: Drag-and-drop builder, responsive templates, blogging, e-commerce capabilities.
Ideal for: Users seeking an all-in-one solution with an easy-to-use interface.
2. Wix
Cost: Free plan available; premium plans start at $16/month.
Features: Extensive template library, app integrations, SEO tools.
Ideal for: Beginners wanting easy customization.
Cost: Free basic plan; paid plans start at $4/month.
Features: Customizable themes, plugins, blogging platform.
Ideal for: Bloggers and content-heavy websites. Websites that require specialized plug-ins.
Note: WordPress is the gold standard powering about one-third of the content on the internet. But it’s also much more difficult to navigate from a tech standpoint. I recommend it only if you absolutely need certain plug-ins or you’re planning a blog-first website strategy (particularly one that relies on third-party ads for revenue.)
Email Marketing Platforms
1. MailerLite
Cost: Free for up to 1,000 subscribers; paid plans start at $10/month.
Features: Drag-and-drop editor, automation, landing pages.
Ideal for: Small businesses starting with email marketing.
2. Mailchimp
Cost: Free for up to 500 subscribers; paid plans start at $13/month.
Features: Email templates, automation, audience segmentation.
Ideal for: Users seeking a robust platform with various integrations.
3. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Cost: Free for up to 300 emails/day; paid plans start at $25/month.
Features: Email campaigns, SMS marketing, CRM tools.
Ideal for: Businesses looking to combine email and SMS marketing.
Scheduling and Calendar Tools
1. Calendly
Cost: Free basic plan; premium plans start at $8/month.
Features: Automated scheduling, calendar integrations, reminders.
Ideal for: Professionals needing to streamline appointment bookings.
Cost: Free trial available; plans start at $16/month.
Features: Client self-scheduling, payment processing, intake forms.
Ideal for: Service-based businesses requiring detailed scheduling options.
Design and Branding Tools
1. Canva
Cost: Free basic plan; Pro version at $12.99/month.
Features: Templates for social media, presentations, branding kits.
Ideal for: Non-designers needing quick, professional visuals.
Cost: Free basic plan; premium at $9.99/month.
Features: AI-powered design tools, templates, branding assets.
Ideal for: Users seeking advanced design capabilities with AI assistance.
3. Looka
Cost: Free to design; one-time payment for logo files starting at $20.
Features: Logo maker, brand kits, business card designs.
Ideal for: Startups needing quick branding solutions.
Social Media Management
1. Buffer
Cost: Free for up to 3 channels; paid plans start at $6/month per channel.
Features: Post scheduling, analytics, engagement tools.
Ideal for: Businesses managing multiple social media accounts.
2. Hootsuite
Cost: Free trial available; plans start at $19/month.
Features: Social media scheduling, monitoring, analytics.
Ideal for: Companies needing comprehensive social media management.
Project Management and Collaboration
1. Trello
Cost: Free basic plan; Business Class at $10/month per user.
Features: Kanban boards, task assignments, integrations.
Ideal for: Visual task management and team collaboration.
2. Asana
Cost: Free for up to 15 users; premium plans start at $10.99/month per user.
Features: Project timelines, task dependencies, reporting.
Ideal for: Teams requiring structured project workflows.
Analytics and SEO Tools
Cost: Free.
Features: Website traffic analysis, user behavior insights, conversion tracking.
Note: Can be challenging for beginners, but Google offers free training courses.
2. Ubersuggest
Cost: Free limited plan available; Individual plan at $12/month or $120 lifetime.
Features: Keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, rank tracking, content ideas, and AI writing tools.
Ideal for: Solo entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking an affordable, user-friendly SEO tool.
