Best Tools and Resources for Freelancers to Work Efficiently

You should be expanding your business, experimenting with new ventures, and looking for new clients and accomplices. But you're so busy that you can't find the time. You tell yourself at this point, 'I need to start working harder.' However, it's the worst possible thing you can do; you will become more drained and less productive overall. What you need to do is start working smarter: discover creative ways to get even more work done quickly, freeing up your time to focus on growing your business. And there are numerous tools available to assist you in doing so.

Below is the list that we have created for freelancers that want to make it work smoothly. We have made this list of the best & free tools and resources for freelancers. If you are a small business owner, you can also use these resources for your own benefit.

Yes, these tools may take some time to configure, but that time could perhaps prove to be a worthwhile investment in the long run. So be bold and begin experimenting with the tools you'll need to take your self-employed business to the next level.

Best Tools and Resources for Freelancers

Let’s know about some of the paid & free tools for freelancers and small businesses.

Tools to Keep you Focused

Tomato Timer

Have you ever heard of or tried the Pomodoro method? It's a time management technique that divides the day into short intervals. For example, you should devote twenty minutes to one task before taking a 5-minute break to boost your productivity.

This timer assists you in staying focused and alerts you when it is time for a break. It is not necessary to devote more time to something in order to achieve better results in the end.

Freedom

Distracting sites and applications such as social networking sites, online shopping sites, games, and others are blocked by Freedom. Instead, it assists you in staying focused on what is most important.

OneTab

When you have too many tabs open, click the OneTab symbol to convert them all into a list. When you need to access the tabs again, you can do so separately or all at once. OneTab can save you approximately 95% of your memory.

Cofftivity

Coffitivity simulates the ambient music of a coffee house to boost your productivity and creativity. This app offers the background music you need to concentrate on and be creative, with a good variety of pre-recorded sounds available.

Meeting Scheduler & Calendar Tools

Calendly

Calendly allows you to schedule client meetings without the need for back-and-forth emails. Create a calendar link based on your availability and try sharing it with your clients. They choose a date and time, and the event is incorporated into your calendar. Simple.

Also Read: Get Interview Ready With Niche

Doodle

Gone are the days when you could send a mass email asking for availability and then sort through every person to find the best time. Doodle allows you to quickly schedule 1:1s with your clients without trying to guess or ask about availability. You display your best moments. The date and time are set after guests narrow it down.

Best Time Tracking Software for Freelancers

Toggl

Toggl is a renowned time tracking tool and one of the most versatile and cost-effective free options. Toggl is simple to use and understand. The platform has a simple, user-friendly design that makes it simple to begin tracking time. The application is cloud-hosted and supports almost all web browsers, software platforms, and devices. Toggl offers integration options for a variety of other services, making it adaptable to your existing systems and processes. The app's free version has robust functionality, and its reviews will meet the majority of freelancers' basic needs.

RescueTime

RescueTime helps to track your time on applications, internet sites, and even specific files without the use of timers or manual entry. You'll get detailed reports about where your time has gone and what's impeding your productivity.

Client Communication Tools

Slack

Slack is an excellent communication tool for freelancers. In a channel focused on a specific project, you can submit mockups, read input, and share reports. You and your customers can search through previous conversations and locate files when they need them. You can also reply back to client DM requests if they have additional projects for you.

FollowUp

FollowUp for email is an ultra-light productivity suite that keeps your interactions and activities organized. Set up perfectly timed alerts to appear at the top of your inbox just when you need them.

Chatwork

Are you frustrated and stressed because you spend too much time on email? Replace your daily email crush with real-time conversations. Chatwork allows us to save all text messages in the cloud, where we can access them from any device.

Project Management Tools

Monday

Monday brings a new approach to project and work management. It enables you and your customers to collaborate on project planning and execution, resulting in on-time results. Having a virtual work center allows you to communicate & join forces from anywhere in the world, on land or at sea.

Asana

Asana allows freelancers to organize tasks, manage shifting objectives, and complete tasks. Lay out your aims, plans, and commitments in a centralized location and enjoy the freedom to switch between project opinions. Furthermore, it provides you with all of the information you need to track progress and identify risks.

Invoicing Tools

Zoho Invoice

Zoho Invoice is an automated billing tool that assists you in creating professional invoices. It sends payment reminders automatically and gets paid quicker online — freelancers all over the world rely on Zoho Invoice for invoicing.

Simple Invoice

Invoicing should not be a chore. This tool allows users to create invoices in secs, manage memberships easily, and get paid faster than before.

Bookkeeping & Accounting tools

FreeAgent

Afraid of losing a receipt? Don’t worry when FreeAgent is here. One of the most effective accounting applications for freelancers is FreeAgent. Never throw away a receipt again; simply take a photo with your mobile and upload it. It allows you to fill out and submit your Income Tax return to HMRC directly from the app.

Wave

Wave is intended for independent contractors and small businesses. It aids in the understanding and management of your income and expenditure. Keep track of everything and integrate with other Wave products like paycheck, payouts, and invoicing.

Also Read: 5 Ways To Find Work As A Freelance Illustrator

Conclusion

These are some of the best tools and resources for freelancers and small businesses that want to keep track of everything related to their work. Freelancing can be daunting, but these resources can relax you big time. Some of these are free tools for every starting freelancer, while paid tools can be used when you get yourself established. We hope we have given you a list that will ease your way of doing freelancing work.