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The Best Online Business Tools to Stay Organised and Scale in 2025

  • Writer: Justin Vincent Steyn
    Justin Vincent Steyn
  • Feb 6
  • 7 min read



The Best Online Business Tools to Stay Organised and Scale in 2025

Running an online business can feel like juggling a dozen tasks at once—managing projects, keeping up with clients, creating content, and still finding time to grow your brand. The secret? The right online business tools. These tools don’t just help you stay organised; they save hours every week, streamline your operations, and reduce overwhelm so you can focus on what truly matters—scaling your business.

After testing numerous tools over the years, I’ve found the top five that I use daily to keep everything running smoothly. Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing a team, these tools will increase your productivity and help your business thrive in 2025.



Asana – The Ultimate Project Management Tool

If you’ve been struggling to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and projects, Asana is a game-changer. It’s a project management tool designed to help you organise, assign, and track tasks—all in one place.

I use Asana for everything in my business—client projects, content planning, and even personal goal-setting. It’s perfect for breaking big projects into manageable steps, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. You can create task lists, set deadlines, assign responsibilities, and track progress in real-time.

For example, when launching a new product, I create an Asana project that outlines every step—from brainstorming and recording content to setting up the sales page. With templates, automation, and seamless collaboration, Asana saves me hours every week. If you feel like your to-do list is running your life, this tool is a must-have!


Tella – Video Recording & Editing Made Easy

Creating high-quality video content is essential for marketing, tutorials, and client communication. Tella makes it effortless, even if you have zero technical skills.

Tella allows you to record, edit, and share professional-looking videos without complicated software. It’s perfect for screen recordings, client onboarding videos, and team updates. One feature I love is the ability to customise layouts, add branding elements, and embed clickable links in videos.

I’ve used Loom and Veed in the past, but Tella stands out for its user-friendly interface and reliability. If you want to communicate visually without spending hours editing, Tella is a must-try.


Canva – The Go-To Design Tool for Entrepreneurs

Need to create eye-catching social media graphics, marketing materials, or presentations? Canva is your best friend. It’s an easy-to-use graphic design platform that lets you create stunning visuals without needing advanced design skills.

I use Canva for everything—from YouTube thumbnails and Instagram posts to lead magnets and client proposals. The best part? Brand kits, ready-made templates, and drag-and-drop features make it simple to maintain a professional, cohesive look across all platforms. If you’re launching a new product or running a marketing campaign, Canva ensures your brand looks polished and consistent.


WhatsApp – Business Communication Made Simple

You might think of WhatsApp as just a messaging app, but it’s become a powerful tool for business communication. It’s great for client check-ins, quick team updates, and managing customer inquiries—without the back-and-forth of endless emails.

I use WhatsApp for asynchronous communication, meaning I don’t have to be online at the same time as my clients or team. They can send voice notes, messages, or quick updates, and I respond when it fits into my schedule. This reduces overwhelm, increases efficiency, and ensures clear communication. If you’re tired of overflowing inboxes, WhatsApp is a simple yet powerful alternative.


Zapier – The Ultimate Automation Tool

If you’re still manually handling repetitive tasks, Zapier is about to change your life. It’s an automation tool that connects your favourite apps and creates seamless workflows.

For example, every time I make a sale on ThriveCart, Zapier automatically updates my records, notifies me with a fun “cha-ching” sound, and even sends an email confirmation to the client—all without me lifting a finger.

Zapier integrates with thousands of apps, making it easy to automate processes, eliminate busywork, and free up your time for more important tasks. If you’re not using automation, you’re leaving valuable hours on the table.


FAQ

General

Q: What are online business tools?

Online business tools are software solutions that help businesses operate more smoothly by automating tasks, improving communication, and managing data more effectively. Whether it’s project management, marketing, or customer service, these tools save time and make operations more efficient.


Q: Why use them?A: They take the manual hassle out of running a business. Imagine tracking hundreds of emails manually—nowadays, email automation handles that. They also reduce human errors, improve organization, and allow businesses to scale faster.


Q: Are they secure?A: Most reputable tools prioritize security, using strong encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and frequent software updates. However, it’s always best to use unique passwords, enable MFA, and keep backups of important data.


Productivity & Collaboration

Q: Best collaboration tools?

If your team works remotely or needs better communication, try Slack for instant messaging, Microsoft Teams for integrated video calls, Google Workspace for cloud-based collaboration, and Asana for project management.


Q: How to improve team productivity?

Clear task delegation and tracking are key. Use tools like Trello, Monday.com, and ClickUp to create task boards, set deadlines, and keep everything organized. Regular check-ins and automation also help teams stay on track.


Q: Best file-sharing tools?

Google Drive is perfect for real-time collaboration, Dropbox is great for secure file storage, and OneDrive integrates seamlessly with Microsoft apps. These tools ensure easy file access and sharing, even on mobile devices.



CRM

Q: What is CRM?

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software helps businesses track customer interactions, automate follow-ups, and manage sales pipelines. It’s essential for improving customer service and boosting sales.


Q: Best CRMs for small businesses?

HubSpot is free and beginner-friendly, Zoho CRM offers customization, and Salesforce is powerful for scaling businesses. Each CRM has unique features, so choose based on your business needs.


Q: Can CRMs integrate with other tools?

Absolutely! Most CRMs connect with email platforms, e-commerce sites, accounting tools, and even social media for a seamless workflow. This means you can track customer interactions from multiple channels in one place.


E-commerce & Payments

Q: Best e-commerce platforms?

Shopify is user-friendly and great for all sizes, WooCommerce is ideal for WordPress users, and Magento is powerful for large businesses. These platforms help you set up an online store quickly.


Q: How to accept online payments?

Payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, PayFast, and Square allow businesses to process credit card and mobile payments securely. Many e-commerce platforms have built-in integrations with these services.


Q: Can stores integrate with social media?

Yes! Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce let you sell directly on Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok, making it easy to reach customers where they spend most of their time.




Digital Marketing & SEO

Q: Best digital marketing tools?

Google Ads for paid advertising, Meta Business Suite for managing Facebook and Instagram, Mailchimp for email marketing, and SEMrush for SEO insights. These tools help businesses reach more customers effectively.


Q: How to improve SEO?

Use Ahrefs and Moz for keyword research, Google Search Console for monitoring search performance, and optimize your website’s content for better rankings. Regularly updating content and improving site speed also boost SEO.


Q: Best social media management tools?

Buffer and Hootsuite schedule posts across multiple platforms, while Later is great for Instagram scheduling. These tools help businesses maintain a consistent social media presence.

Accounting & Finance

Q: Best accounting tools?

QuickBooks is a top choice for small businesses, Xero offers cloud-based flexibility, and Wave is free for basic accounting. These tools simplify invoicing, tax calculations, and expense tracking.


Q: Can invoices be automated?

Yes! Tools like FreshBooks and Zoho Invoice automate invoice creation, sending, and payment tracking—saving business owners tons of time.


Q: How to track expenses?

Expensify and Mint allow businesses to categorize expenses, set budgets, and track spending trends in real time, helping with financial planning and reporting.

Communication

Q: Best video conferencing tools?

Zoom is the industry standard for virtual meetings, Google Meet is great for Google users, and Microsoft Teams is ideal for businesses already using Office 365.


Q: How to set up a business phone?

VoIP services like RingCentral and Google Voice let businesses set up professional phone lines, voicemail, and call routing without expensive hardware.


Q: Best email marketing tools?

Mailchimp is easy for beginners, ConvertKit is great for content creators, and Constant Contact provides robust automation features for growing businesses.


Security & AI

Q: How to protect business data?

Use strong, unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), regularly back up data, and keep all software updated to prevent security breaches.

Q: Best cybersecurity tools?A: Norton and Bitdefender provide antivirus protection, while LastPass helps manage secure passwords. These tools ensure your business data stays safe.

Q: How can AI help?A: AI-powered tools like ChatGPT for customer service, Jasper AI for content creation, and Grammarly for writing assistance can streamline tasks and boost productivity.

Websites & Hosting

Q: Best website builders?A: Wix is beginner-friendly, WordPress offers flexibility, and Squarespace is ideal for sleek designs. These platforms make it easy to create a professional website.

Q: How to choose hosting?A: Consider uptime, customer support, and pricing. Bluehost is great for WordPress users, SiteGround offers reliable support, and A2 Hosting provides fast performance.

HR & Payroll

Q: Best HR tools?A: BambooHR simplifies HR processes, Gusto handles payroll and benefits, and Workday is excellent for larger businesses needing comprehensive HR solutions.

Q: Can payroll be automated?A: Yes! ADP and Paychex handle payroll processing, tax filing, and compliance automatically, reducing administrative workload.

Analytics & Reporting

Q: How to track business performance?

Google Analytics tracks website traffic, Tableau visualizes data for decision-making, and Power BI provides business intelligence insights for strategy planning.

Q: Are free analytics tools available?

Yes! Google Analytics and Facebook Insights provide in-depth performance tracking without extra costs, helping businesses measure success.


Final Thoughts – Use Online Business Tools to Scale in 2025

The right online business tools don’t just save time—they help you work smarter, not harder. Whether you need better project management, seamless communication, powerful design capabilities, or automation, these five tools will help you stay organised, boost productivity, and grow your business without the stress.

The key to success isn’t just having tools—it’s using them effectively. Find the ones that align with your workflow and make your life easier.

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