In today’s competitive business landscape, small businesses face unique marketing challenges. However, they can level the playing field and achieve remarkable results with the right tools in their arsenal. Enter “Small Business Marketing Tools,” – a collection of invaluable resources designed to empower small businesses in their marketing endeavors. In this blog, we will explore a variety of marketing tools specifically tailored to meet the needs and constraints of small businesses. From affordable email marketing platforms to intuitive social media management tools and budget-friendly analytics solutions, we will delve into the best marketing tools that small businesses can leverage to enhance their online presence, reach their target audience, and drive growth.
What Are Marketing Tools?
Marketing tools refer to a wide range of software, platforms, and resources that assist marketers in planning, executing, managing, and analyzing their marketing activities. These tools aim to streamline marketing processes, enhance efficiency, and optimize the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Marketing tools can encompass various categories and functionalities, including but not limited to:
Analytics Tools:
These tools help marketers measure, track, and analyze data related to website traffic, user behavior, and campaign performance. They provide insights that inform decision-making and enable marketers to optimize their strategies.
Email Marketing Platforms:
Email marketing tools enable businesses to create, send, and automate email campaigns. They typically include contact management, email templates, segmentation, and performance tracking features.
Social Media Management Tools:
These tools facilitate the scheduling, publishing, and monitoring social media content across different platforms. They often offer features for social media listening, engagement, analytics, and post-scheduling.
Content Creation Tools:
Content creation tools assist marketers in developing engaging and visually appealing content for various channels. These tools may include graphic design software, video editing tools, content planning platforms, and content collaboration software.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems:
CRM tools centralize customer data, enabling businesses to manage and analyze customer interactions, track leads, and personalize marketing communications.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Tools:
SEO tools help optimize websites to improve organic search rankings and increase visibility. They assist in keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and competitor analysis.
Marketing Automation Platforms:
These tools automate repetitive marketing tasks and workflows, such as lead nurturing, email drip campaigns, and customer onboarding. They aim to increase efficiency and deliver personalized experiences at scale.
Project Management Tools:
Project management tools aid marketers in planning, organizing, and collaborating on marketing projects. They facilitate task management, scheduling, file sharing, and communication among team members.
Also read : Why You Want Organic Traffic Most For Your Website
Top Small Business Marketing Tools for 2024
Remember, we’re focusing on small business marketing tools, meaning what might be a “pro” for a multinational corporation is an expensive “con” for a small business.
No two businesses do marketing the same way or have the same goals, so every business needs a unique combination of marketing tools to thrive.
One final note, signing up for new products can be expensive and require a lot of time and effort on your part to just set them up; this is why I like to use interactive demo software to trial the products for free; it’s a free version of the app which is already running that you can just try out.
Without further ado, I hope this guide helps you equip yourself with the right digital marketing tools for your business.
TopicRanker
TopicRanker shows keywords you can rank for based on problems and weaknesses in the search results. After signing up and trying it out, Brian Dean, founder of Backlinko, described TopicRanker as “the future of keyword research. ”
Instead of “keyword search volume” or “keyword difficulty,” TopicRanker focuses on specific problems and weaknesses in search results.
For example, TopicRanker robots identified a keyword for writing a new article on the falcon river.co – the term it’s recommending to create new content for is: ‘empire flippers alternative.’
Topic Ranker’s algorithm believes this is the best opportunity keyword for Falcon River due to these specific SERP issues (each icon below refers to a specific SERP weakness):
❓ Missing keywords in the meta title
🔢 Low word count for primary result
🟰 poor readability
⏳ page loads very slowly
🕜 page is outdated
Price:
It starts at $59/month and has a free plan
Pros:
- Contrary to most keyword tools out there, it focuses on problems in Google Search Results to recommend keywords you should target
- Identifies which keywords you already rank for on Google and what to do to improve them
- Suggests keywords you should create new content for in the near term and rank easily
- Customer support is very responsive
Cons:
- The new company has only been around for a year
- We need to have a content person or a writer to implement the suggestions from the software
Appy Pie
Appy Pie Connect, a versatile automation platform, harmonizes workflows effortlessly. With intuitive, code-free integration, it links apps seamlessly, including robust connections with some of the most popular apps. Two of the most useful examples include GoHighLevel integrations which amplify marketing and CRM capabilities, and Mindbody integrations which streamlines wellness and fitness services management. With an array of tools, Appy Pie Connect facilitates intricate automation, enabling businesses to unify operations across platforms, enhance customer experiences, and maximize efficiency with tailored integrations.
Pricing: Visit the website to check the pricing.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Extensive app integrations
- Simplified automation setup
- Versatile connections between software
- Enhanced workflow efficiency
Cons
- Limitations in customization
- Potential need for custom coding for specific requirements
ContentHarmony
ContentHarmony is “da bomb” when creating content briefs on the fly for $1 a pop! It’s a simple tool that uses data and AI to create amazing-looking content briefs for your writers to use for article writing.
After you set up your account and create a project, you simply enter a keyword, and the AI generates a keyword report for you to review to make sure this is the topics and subtopics you want to cover:
Price:
The trial starts at $1 per content brief and then $10 per brief.
Pros:
- Very easy to set up, take less than a minute
- Customer service is incredible
Cons:
- Limited integrations and no API
MarketMuse
A content optimization tool that uses AI and machine learning to help you optimize and improve your content to outrank your competition on Google.
Price:
Starts at $79/month
Pros:
Simple to use – you input your article URL and the keyword you are targeting for ranking – the tool will tell you:
- which topics your competition has in their articles
- how you score on topical depth for your keyword
- which topics you need to add to your article to outrank your competition
- If you do not have an article written yet, the tool will just ask you for a keyword and generate a content brief with questions you should answer and topics to address when writing the brand-new piece of content
Cons:
- It takes time to get used to when you first start using it.
Also read : 5 Ways to Organise your Social Media Marketing Strategy
Wellyx
Wellyx is a strong and sturdy marketing tool that helps you connect deeply and convert easily. This comprehensive marketing tool enables you to generate leads, build relationships, and increase sales. In addition, you can automate your business marketing with Wellyx and make sales while sleeping.
Leveraging Wellyx, you can run your marketing campaigns tactfully. With its seamless AL integration, you can run email marketing campaigns efficiently. Since Wellyx provides several email templates, you can easily send automated emails, considering the status of your prospects.
With Wellyx, you can track the performance of your email campaigns so that you can measure the results and take the required actions. In addition, Wellyx allows you to build meaningful relationships with your customers, assisting you retain existing members and acquiring new ones.
To connect with your audience better, Wellyx offers you a personalization feature. It not only helps you captivate the audience but also builds a strong brand image. Lastly, it helps you identify improvement opportunities and better target your audience.
Price:
Its pricing starts at $79/month with a comprehensive list of features.
Pros:
- Several pre-designed email templates
- User-friendly and easy-to-navigate interface
- Automate marketing campaigns effortlessly
- Provide in-depth analytics and reporting
- Offer customizable branding to connect better
Cons:
- No free version is available
SEMRush
When it comes to checking any statistics or SEO data about any website, SemRush is the platform you want to use. Their offering allows you to find any data on any public-facing website: the number of backlinks, their overall traffic over time, top-performing pages, which keywords they rank for, or which backlinks they recently acquired or lost.
Price:
$99.95/month
Pros:
- Ideal for small-medium businesses.
Cons:
- UX quirks, like list management, take some getting used to.
Mailchimp
A great platform for getting started with email marketing, whether you need a simple digital marketing tool or an advanced solution.
Price:
Pricing plans vary. You can choose monthly billing or credits, depending on your use. A limited free plan is available if you have under 2,000 subscribers.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Great email templates
- The Freemium version is excellent.
Cons:
- Limited marketing automation features.
Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor is more than just an email marketing automation tool, as its name would imply. It is a center for managing email marketing campaigns.
Price:
$9-149/month. Advanced features and unlimited sends become available at the “Unlimited” $29/month price point.
Pros:
- Advanced integrations and campaign management features.
Cons:
- Design flexibility.
Convertkit
Email marketing software designed for professional bloggers and content creators.
Price:
$29/month for 1,000 subscribers.
Pros:
- Includes a landing page editor.
Cons:
- Expensive, especially if you’re starting. It can take a long time to reach 1,000 subscribers.
- I have limited design and templates.
Hubspot
Hubspot built its brand around inbound marketing and lead generation software (e.g., attracting potential customers by creating valuable content and tailored experiences), the most effective digital marketing strategy for small businesses.
Price:
Varies. See HubSpot’s plans. The “Starter” plan is $45/month.
Pros:
- Outstanding integrations.
- Includes resources to help you learn how to use a CRM.
Cons:
- Add-ons add up. Full functionality is expensive.
Zoho
Zoho delivers vital features and integrations at a competitive price. It is PC Mag’s top pick for CRM software in 2024.
Price:
$12-45 per user/month. The most popular option is $35
Pros:
- One-stop-shop for many small businesses.
- Includes email marketing automation and communication tools.
Cons:
- Features are limited at the lower price levels.
Less Annoying CRM
This one lives up to its name by focusing on the main features that matter to small businesses.
Price:
Starts at $10 per user/month
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Good price.
Cons:
- Reporting features are basic at best.
OnePageCRM
OnePageCRM is a unique combination of a productivity tool and a contact management system. SMBs use it in almost 80 countries around the world.
Price:
$9.95-19.95/month
Pros:
- Action Stream and other unique features
- Simplicity (ideal for small and medium-sized businesses)
- Straightforward and affordable pricing (incl. a 21-day free trial)
Cons:
- No free trial
Slack
A simple chat platform is all the project management software most small businesses need. Slack delivers that better than anyone.
Price:
$6.67 per user/month for small to medium businesses. $12.50 per person/month for larger enterprises looking for advanced tools.
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use.
- Widely adopted thanks to the work-from-home revolution.
Cons:
- Constant notifications can be distracting but turning them off defeats the purpose of instant messaging. You may need to experiment to find the best way to use Slack for your team.
Also read : 8 Best B2B Services Review Platforms For Your Business
Trello
A brainstorming and project management platform built around Kanban boards. This is a helpful tool for coming up with a digital marketing plan.
Price:
Free for small teams, $9.99 per user/month for “Business Class.”
Pros:
- Enables remote brainstorming.
- A good choice for visual thinkers.
Cons:
- Lacks important integrations, like billing.
Asana
A well-designed platform for keeping your team on track.
Price:
Free – $24.99 per user/month.
Pros:
- The free version is enough for many small businesses.
Cons:
- You probably don’t need most of Asana’s features.
CoSchedule
A simple platform with social media post scheduling as the main feature and WordPress integration. A lot of nifty advanced features are available as well for SM pros.
Price:
$29/user per month.
Pros:
- Perfect for bloggers who want to schedule content across social channels.
Cons:
- Most small businesses don’t need advanced content calendars.
Hootsuite
The one-and-done social media online marketing tool with a post-scheduling tool and analytics and monitoring features.
Price:
1 User for $49/month, 3 Users for $129/month.
Pros:
- Informs scheduling with insights and analytics.
Cons:
- Hootsuite is good at a few things but could be better at any one thing. You may still opt for the simplicity of Buffer even though Hootsuite has a scheduling feature.
- Pricey.
Buffer
Want to Tweet 24/7 from your social media account without having to be on Twitter at all times? Buffer is a great social media marketing tool; it makes that possible across all your social channels via scheduled posts.
Price:
- Free for one user, 3 channels, and ten posts/day.
- Paid plans are $15-99/month.
Pros:
- Browser integrations make it easy to share content you find online.
Cons:
- High per-user cost.
- Analytics are just okay.
BuzzSumo
As mentioned above, interpreting data is the secret to getting the most out. BuzzSumo lets you run a search to quickly discover content ideas, uncover data insights and identify passionate influencers on social media.
This digital marketing tool adds insights to raw numbers to help you unlock content opportunities and generate ideas.
Price:
$99-499+/month
Pros:
- Includes competitive insights (to help you spy on the competition).
- It helps you identify influencers in your space.
Cons:
- Expensive for small businesses.
Kissmetrics
It helps you analyze the conversion funnel from when a visitor arrives on your page to when they convert. Instead of using old-school link-tracking software to track your link-building efforts, this tool enables you to identify prospects and nurture leads—a powerful marketing tool in the right hands.
Price:
$299-499/month
Pros:
- Designed to give you insights that will help you get the most out of all your marketing tools.
- It goes beyond just regular click-tracking software and allows you to group your audience into buckets according to which actions they have taken and where they are in the conversion funnel
Cons:
- Not very useful if you’re starting and don’t have a lot of leads yet.
- If you already know who your customers are (like if you run a small-town bakery), browsing data is meaningless to you.
- It’s a tracking tool, so you must install an additional tracking pixel on your website Price.
Google Analytics
The best analytics tool out there is also free. This is a must-have in every marketer’s toolkit.
Price:
Free.
Pros:
- The best tool of its kind. Period.
Cons:
- The quality of your data depends on how well you can analyze it. This means that it is not a tool for beginners in analytics.
Brafton Content Marketing Platform
Brafton’s Platform makes planning, publishing, producing, and measuring content marketing performance easy. Features include content calendars, end-to-end project management, in-app messaging, simple campaign setup, reporting and analytics, and a searchable content library.
Price:
Plans vary need to contact Brafton for details.
Pros:
- Content marketing workflows ready on the day
- Intuitive functionality.
- Simple and centralized collaboration.
Cons:
- It’s a niche, meaning it won’t provide much value for workflows unrelated to content marketing and digital marketing. Project management is one of the strongest features of the platform.
Also read : Boost Your Business: 5 Essential AI Tools Every Entrepreneur Needs
Conclusion
In conclusion, small business marketing tools are indispensable assets for entrepreneurs looking to make a big impact with limited resources. By harnessing the power of these tools, small businesses can streamline their marketing efforts, amplify their online presence, and engage their target audience effectively. Many tools cater to small businesses ‘ unique needs and challenges, whether email marketing, social media management, SEO optimization, or analytics. Embracing these marketing tools empowers small business owners to compete with larger enterprises and unlock growth opportunities. With the right combination of small business marketing tools, entrepreneurs can confidently navigate the dynamic digital landscape, drive brand awareness, attract new customers, and ultimately achieve long-term success.
FAQs
What are the essential marketing tools for small businesses?
Essential marketing tools for small businesses may vary depending on specific needs. Still, some common ones include email marketing platforms (such as Mailchimp), social media management tools (like Hootsuite), website analytics tools (such as Google Analytics), customer relationship management (CRM) systems (like HubSpot), and content creation tools (such as Canva).
How do marketing tools benefit small businesses?
Marketing tools benefit small businesses by streamlining marketing processes, saving time and effort, improving efficiency, and enhancing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They enable targeted audience reach, data-driven decision-making, automation of repetitive tasks, and better customer relationship management.
Are marketing tools expensive for small businesses?
The cost of marketing tools for small businesses varies depending on the specific tools and their features. While some tools may have a cost associated with them, many affordable or even free options are also available. Small businesses can choose tools that fit their budget and offer the necessary features to meet their marketing needs.
Can marketing tools help with social media management?
Yes, marketing tools often include features specifically designed for social media management. These tools allow small businesses to schedule and publish posts, engage with their audience, analyze performance metrics, and manage multiple social media accounts from a single platform. They help streamline social media efforts and enhance brand presence across various platforms.
How do I choose the right marketing tools for my small business?
Choosing the right marketing tools for your small business requires considering your specific marketing goals, budget, ease of use, required features, and scalability. Evaluating different tools, reading reviews, and taking advantage of free trials or demos is essential to assess their suitability before deciding. Additionally, seeking recommendations from industry peers or marketing professionals can provide valuable insights.
