Essential Tools No Freelancer Can Afford To Live Without

Every business needs them. They’re essential to your success no matter what kind of freelance operation you’re running. They make your life easier, and you can’t live without them. 

They’re the vital, most crucial tools you use to run your business. Everything from calendar management apps to website maintenance software. 

They ensure the health of your business and enable you to succeed. These tools are like glue holding everything together—sometimes you don’t even realize how important they are. But when you try to live without them, that’s when you miss them. 

In this article, we’ll dive into all the tools freelancers need to succeed. And we’ll show you the most important ones—that you can’t afford to live without.

1. Lendio

Lendio’s software was designed with freelancers and small business owners in mind to help make managing expenses and cash flow a breeze. The platform is ideal for freelancers because it makes it easy and effortless for you to handle all the challenges associated with bookkeeping. 

This cloud-based platform also streamlines everything associated with accounting, tax preparation, and assistance. You can send customized invoices to clients, view financial reports, send quotes and estimates.

But one of the most important things about Lendio’s software is it helps you keep track of your business’s financial health. If capital-related issues arise, the tool identifies them so you can fix them right away. 

2. Hello Bonsai

From contract creation and invoicing to writing proposals and accepting payments, Bonsai does it all. This tool has everything you need to run your freelance operation with ease. 

With tons of fill-in-the-blank templates, you don’t have to guess which details to include in your contracts and proposals. And when it comes to accepting payments, they’ve got you covered. With Bonsai, you can get paid the way you want—debit, credit, Stripe, PayPal, and even ACH transfers. 

3. Trello

If you like visuals and appreciate the power of graphics, you’ll love this project management tool. Trello helps you keep track of every project and task so nothing falls through the cracks. 

This is essential for every freelancer—knowing your exact project status at any given moment. Especially if you have multiple clients and are simultaneously managing multiple projects.  

Trello lets you create boards, manage tasks, and view all your assignments. The platform is flexible, and you can use it for managing any project—from personal tasks to business-related activities. 

4. Canva

Canva allows you to make all the visual assets your business needs. You can create everything: logos, ads, flyers, social media graphics, banners, brochures, and more. 

Canva helps you with the advertising and marketing aspects of your business. It allows you to put your best foot forward—and portray your business the way you want it to come across. 

Because one thing is for sure: as a freelancer, prospective clients judge you by the image you put out. Every social media post you make reflects on your brand and your business. When the graphics look good, people feel at ease and trust your business. But, when they see poorly designed assets, it reflects negatively on you. 

Canva takes care of that by providing tons of user-friendly, easy-to-use templates—ready for you to tailor and add your personal touch.

5. 1Password

As you work online, you need a way to protect your private information and store the passwords you accumulate. With 1Password, you can do it with ease—you can visit any of your saved websites and login in with no problem—and not have to remember the username and password offhand.  

1Password gives you storage on an unlimited number of devices and houses all your login information in one secure location. By downloading the Chrome extension, you’ll get another essential feature—1Password will store all your usernames and passwords, then, when you need to use them, the tool will automatically bring them up right then, in that exact moment.

6. Google Calendar

This is one of the best tools you can use to manage your calendar. This tool allows you to schedule appointments and receive alerts beforehand in your chosen time frame. If you want to be reminded 15 minutes before every meeting, Google Calendar makes it easy to set that up. 

The platform is also especially useful for scheduling appointments with prospects and clients. You can set up a video call, send out a calendar invite, and include login details for Zoom or Google Meet. 

7. Wix

Wix makes it easy to establish your online presence. Whether you need a new website or you’re switching from your current provider, you can’t go wrong with Wix. 

With this platform, you get access to a wide array of professionally designed templates—waiting for you to add your personal stamp to them and make them your own. The drag-and-drop builder is easy to use and helps you set up the site of your dreams right away. 

Wix also offers web hosting and domain names for freelancers starting from scratch. But, one of the best things about Wix is how affordable it is, which is great news for cash-strapped entrepreneurs. If you have your own domain name, you can literally get online for less than $20/month. Purchasing a domain name from Wix will incur an additional charge. 

8. DoubleYourFreelancing.com

This website is a resource for all freelancers. It doesn’t matter what type of business you’re running—everyone can benefit. From artists and designers to writers and developers, you’re sure to get valuable operating information from this site. 

Double your freelancing was created by Brennan Dunn, a professional freelancer and entrepreneur. His website tackles all the issues freelancers face—offering the advice you need to start, grow, and scale your business. 

It doesn’t even matter where you are in your business. This website is filled with resources to help everyone—established freelancers looking to up-level their businesses and newbies alike. You can also sign up for a free newsletter, sent out to an email list of over 50,000 freelancers for additional advice and support. 

Best Tools and Resources for Freelancers

As a freelancer, you don’t need them all. Don’t feel pressured to buy every tool and try every new software that comes out. Many of them will do you no good.  

Just make sure to use the right ones. That’s what will help you start, grow, and scale your business. A small handful of the best, most essential tools, apps, and resources. Those are the only ones you need.