If you’re running a small business, you know how overwhelming marketing can feel—especially when you’re trying to do it all yourself. But here’s the thing: the best online marketing tools for small businesses can make it so much easier.
I’ve been in the trenches, testing out different tools, and believe me, the right ones can save you hours and bring in real results. In this post, I’ll share my top picks that have helped me streamline my marketing game. Stick with me—let’s find the right tools to grow your business, without the stress!
What is Advertising Tools?
Advertising tools are like a set of keys to unlock your business’s success. They help you create, manage, and improve your ads. Without them, it’s like trying to drive a car without keys.
These tools make it easier to reach the right people with the right message. They track how well your ads are doing and help you change things quickly if needed. It’s like having a map that guides you to your goal.
I once used an advertising tool for a project. At first, I was confused. But soon, I saw how it helped me reach more people and save time. It made my work so much easier.
For anyone running ads, these tools are a must. They don’t replace creativity, but they make it easier to get results. They are the smart way to work.
10 Best Advertising Tools In Marketing
| Tool | Category | Key Features |
| Google Ads | Search & Display Ads | Search ads, display ads, YouTube ads, keyword targeting, campaign budget control, performance tracking. |
| Canva | Graphic Design & Marketing | Templates, drag-and-drop design interface, image and video editing, collaboration features, brand kit. |
| HubSpot | Marketing & Sales Platform | CRM, email marketing, lead capture forms, marketing automation, detailed reporting and analytics. |
| Semrush | SEO & Digital Marketing | Keyword research, competitor analysis, site audit, PPC tools, content optimization, backlink analysis. |
| Hootsuite | Social Media Management | Social media scheduling, performance tracking, hashtag optimization, content collaboration, reporting. |
| Mailchimp | Email Marketing | Email templates, marketing automation, audience segmentation, email performance analytics, free plan. |
| Wistia | Video Hosting & Analytics | Video hosting, customizable video player, video analytics, lead generation forms, video SEO optimization. |
| Sprinklr | Social Media & Customer Care | Social media management, customer feedback tracking, social listening, AI-powered insights, detailed analytics. |
| TikTok Ads Manager | Social Media Advertising | In-feed ads, TopView ads, detailed audience targeting, simple ad creation tools, creative ad formats. |
| Outbrain | Native Advertising | Native ads, video/text ads, targeting options, real-time performance analytics, content integration. |
Google Ads Review
Google Ads has really helped me with my online marketing. It’s a great tool to grow your business. But how does it actually work? Here’s my honest review based on my own experience.
How It Works for Me
When I first tried Google Ads, I felt confused. There were so many settings. I wasn’t sure how to reach the right people or set the right budget. But once I understood how it worked, things started to make sense.
I saw more people visiting my site and checking out my YouTube videos.
What I Like
- Easy to set up: It’s simple once you know how to use it.
- Target the right people: You can pick who sees your ads based on age, location, and even interests. It’s super helpful.
- You control the budget: You decide how much to spend, so there are no surprises.
- Simple to manage: The Google Ads Manager is easy to use. Everything is in one place.
- Real results: My website traffic and YouTube views grew, which showed me the ads worked.
What Could Be Better
- Learning curve: It took me a while to learn how the bidding system works. But once I got it, it was easier.
- High competition: Some keywords are expensive. I had to adjust my bids to stay within budget.
- Support delays: Sometimes it takes longer to get help when I need it.
My Personal Experience
Using Google Ads has been a great way to grow my online presence. I started with a small budget of Rs. 500. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but after a few days, my traffic grew.
The keyword planner helped me find what people were searching for. It made it easy to adjust my ads and reach the right people.
Recommendation
Google Ads is perfect for small businesses or anyone trying to grow online. If you want to get the right people to visit your website or YouTube channel, this tool is for you. If you’re new to digital marketing, take some time to learn how it works first. You may need to try a few campaigns to get it right. But once you do, it can be a real game-changer for your business.
Canva Review
Canva is one of the easiest design tools I’ve used. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to create cool designs fast, without being a graphic design expert. In this review, I’ll tell you how it works and what I think of it.
How It Works for Me
I had a tough time with other design tools. They were either too hard to use or too limited. Then, I found Canva. It was easy to get started. The drag-and-drop feature helped me design things quickly. Canva isn’t as powerful as Photoshop, but it works well for basic and fun designs.
What I Like
- Easy to Use: Canva is simple. Even if you have never designed anything before, you can figure it out fast.
- Tons of Templates: Canva has templates for almost everything. Whether you need social media posts, presentations, or logos, there’s a template ready.
- Collaborate with Others: I can share designs with my team. We can edit them together in real-time. It’s great for group projects.
- Great Value: Canva has a free version with lots of features. The Pro version is affordable and gives you even more tools.
- One-Stop Design Shop: Canva can make all kinds of designs. I’ve used it for flyers, videos, and more.
What Could Be Better
- Not Fully Customizable: You can’t change everything like you could in Photoshop. This might be a dealbreaker for pros.
- Can Be Slow: If you add too many things to a design, it can lag, especially on older computers.
- Stock Photos Aren’t Always Great: Some stock images aren’t as high quality as what you’d find in paid image libraries.
- Limited Export Options: Canva doesn’t let you export in as many formats as tools like Illustrator.
My Personal Experience
I use Canva for lots of projects. For example, I needed a quick logo for a client. I used Canva’s templates and had a design ready in minutes. It saved me so much time. I’ve also used it to create social media posts and even presentations.
I didn’t have to worry about making everything from scratch, and the results were amazing.
Recommendation
Canva is perfect if you need quick, easy designs. It’s great for small business owners, social media managers, or anyone who needs to make graphics without the hassle.
If you want more control or need advanced features, you might want to try something like Photoshop. But for most everyday designs, Canva is a solid choice.
HubSpot Review
HubSpot is one of the most popular tools for marketing, sales, and customer service. But is it right for you? Let’s see what it offers, based on my personal experience.
How It Works for Me
I used to struggle with keeping track of my contacts and sales. Things often slipped through the cracks. I needed a simple tool to help me stay organized. When I tried HubSpot, it quickly stood out. It was easy to use and helped me manage contacts, automate emails, and track my progress. It made everything feel much simpler.
What I Like
- Easy to use: The design is clean and simple, even for beginners.
- Free plan: HubSpot offers a free plan with CRM, email marketing, and lead capture forms. It’s perfect for small businesses.
- Custom pop-up forms: I could easily add these to my website to grab leads’ attention and turn visitors into customers.
- Works with other tools: HubSpot integrates well with Google Analytics, Gmail, and more.
- Clear reports: I can easily see how my emails and campaigns are performing.
What Could Be Better
- Email deliverability: HubSpot’s emails sometimes land in spam folders, which is frustrating.
- Less customization: The website builder doesn’t offer as much flexibility as other tools, like Wix.
- Expensive paid plans: If you want advanced features, like A/B testing, you’ll need to pay more. The Professional plan is quite costly.
- Branding: The free plan shows HubSpot’s branding on your site, which might not look as professional.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been using HubSpot for about six months. It’s really helped me stay organized. The CRM tool lets me keep track of leads and contacts in one place. I’ve set up email automation, so new leads get emails that nurture them. It’s been a huge time-saver.
HubSpot also helps me track how my campaigns are doing. I can easily see which emails are being opened and clicked on. This has helped me improve my marketing strategies. For example, I ran a special offer last month.
I used HubSpot’s email automation to target certain customers. It worked perfectly, and I saw great results.
Recommendation
HubSpot is a great option for small businesses. The free plan offers a lot of features to get started. It’s perfect if you need one tool to manage your marketing and sales.
However, if you need advanced features like better email deliverability or a fully custom website, you may want to look into other tools. But if you’re just starting out, HubSpot is a solid choice. It’s easy to use and has everything you need to grow your business.
Semrush Review
If you need a powerful SEO tool, Semrush might be the one for you. It does a lot. In this review, I’ll share my experience and thoughts about it. You’ll see what works well and what could be better.
How It Works for Me
When I first started growing my website, I had a hard time. Tracking keywords and getting backlinks felt confusing. I tried many tools, but nothing gave me the full picture. Then, I found Semrush. It helped me track keywords, analyze competitors, and fix site problems—all in one place. It was like having a team of experts behind me.
What I Like
- Keyword Research: Semrush shows me the best keywords to target. It’s easy to use and accurate.
- Competitor Analysis: I can quickly see what my competitors are doing. This helps me plan my next move.
- Site Audit: It scans my website for SEO issues. It gives clear advice on how to fix them.
- PPC Tools: Semrush helps with paid ads too. It’s not just for SEO.
- Content Optimization: The SEO content template shows me how to improve my content. It helps me stay on track with the right keywords.
What Could Be Better
- Learning Curve: Semrush can be hard to understand at first. It takes some time to get used to.
- Free Plan Limits: The free version is basic. It’s good for testing, but you need to upgrade for full access.
- Price: It’s not cheap. It’s a great tool, but it might be too expensive for smaller businesses.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been using Semrush for a few months now. It’s helped me in many ways:
Tracking Keywords: I track my rankings daily. It shows me where I stand and if I need to improve.
Competitor Insights: I love learning from my competitors. I’ve been able to fill gaps in my own strategy.
Site Health: I run a site audit every month. It finds SEO issues and tells me how to fix them.
Recommendation
If you run a business or manage SEO, I recommend Semrush. It’s perfect for both beginners and pros. The tools cover SEO, content, and PPC. If you’re just starting out and have a small budget, try the free plan first. You can always upgrade later. If you only need one specific tool, it might be worth checking other options like Ahrefs.
But overall, if you want an all-in-one SEO tool that does it all, Semrush is a great choice.
Hootsuite Review
Looking for an easy way to manage your social media? Hootsuite could be just what you need. Here’s my honest take.
How It Works for Me
I used to struggle with posting on time and keeping track of my social media. Then I tried Hootsuite. It made everything easier. Now, I can plan my posts, check how they’re doing, and respond to messages all from one place.
What I Like
- Post Everywhere: I can post to all my accounts from one dashboard. It saves me time.
- Track Results: Hootsuite shows me how well my posts are doing. It helps me see what’s working.
- Work With My Team: I can share posts with my team and get feedback easily.
- Plan Ahead: I can schedule posts for the week. They go out automatically, so I don’t have to worry about timing.
- Engage Fast: All my messages and comments show up in one place. It’s easy to reply right away.
- Hashtags: Hootsuite’s hashtag tool helps me pick the best tags for more reach.
My Personal Experience
Hootsuite has helped me a lot in my daily work. It keeps everything in one place, saving me time. Here’s how it’s worked for me:
- Easy Scheduling: I used to waste time posting every day. Now, I plan everything for the week, and Hootsuite posts it for me.
- Helpful Insights: I can see which posts perform best. I use that info to improve my content.
- Teamwork Made Simple: I work with a small team. We can share posts and respond to messages together. It’s smooth and fast.
Recommendation
Hootsuite is great if you need to manage multiple social media accounts and track results. It’s perfect for businesses or teams who want to stay organized and improve their social media.
If you’re just starting out or don’t need all the features, there are cheaper tools like Metrol or SocialPilot. But if you want a solid, all-in-one tool to help your business grow, Hootsuite is a good choice.
Mailchimp Review
Mailchimp is one of the most popular tools for email marketing. But does it really work? Let’s look at how it works, what I like, and where it could improve.
How It Works for Me
At first, I struggled to find an easy way to send emails to customers. I tried using Gmail and Google Sheets, but they were a pain. Then I found Mailchimp. It was easy to set up and start sending emails. I liked how simple it was, even for someone new to email marketing.
After using it for a while, I saw how helpful it was. Mailchimp made my emails more organized and saved me a lot of time. It helped me automate emails and keep everything in one place.
What I Like
- Easy to Use: Setting up emails is quick and simple. I never feel lost or confused on the platform.
- Great Templates: Mailchimp offers a lot of nice templates. They look professional and save me time designing emails.
- Automation: I love automating emails. It’s great for sending follow-ups or special offers without doing it manually.
- Free Plan: The free plan is a great option for people just starting out. It gives you many features without paying a cent.
- Audience Segmentation: I can easily separate my email list into groups. This helps me send targeted content.
What Could Be Better
- Pricing as You Grow: As my list grows, the price goes up. This can get expensive if you have a large list.
- Basic Analytics on Free Plan: The free plan gives basic stats. It’s not enough if you want detailed data on your campaigns.
- No SMS Marketing on Free Plan: You can add SMS marketing, but it costs extra. It would be nice if it was included for free.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been using Mailchimp for a few months now. It has made email marketing so much easier. For example, I launched a new product, and Mailchimp automatically sent emails to new subscribers, gave them a discount, and followed up with reminders. I didn’t have to do anything after setting it up. It saved me a lot of time!
Another thing I like is how easy it is to track my results. I can see how many people opened my emails and clicked the links. This helps me improve my campaigns.
I also helped a client set up an email sequence for leads. Using Mailchimp’s automation, we built a whole email series in just a few clicks. Now, it runs on its own. This is a huge time-saver.
Recommendation
Mailchimp is a great tool for small businesses and beginners. It’s perfect if you need a simple way to send emails and automate your campaigns. If you’re just getting started, the free plan is more than enough.
However, if you have a large email list or need more advanced features, you might want to look at other options or consider upgrading. Overall, Mailchimp is worth trying out. Just keep in mind that as your list grows, you may need to pay more.
Wistia Review
Wistia is a great tool for video hosting. It helps you control your content and gives you useful data. Here’s my review and why I think it’s worth trying.
How It Works for Me
I needed a way to host videos and see how people were interacting with them. Other platforms didn’t give me enough control or data. Then I found Wistia. It was easy to use and gave me the information I needed. I could customize my videos and understand my audience better. It just worked.
What I Like
- Custom Branding: Wistia lets you change the look of your video player. You can make it match your brand.
- Analytics & Insights: I can track how long people watch my videos. I can see where they drop off. This helps me improve my videos.
- Lead Generation: Wistia lets you add forms to your videos. This helps me collect leads without interrupting the content.
- Video Player Customization: The video player looks clean. It’s easy to embed and works well on my site.
- SEO for Video: My videos get more views. Wistia helps with SEO, so my videos rank higher in search results.
What Could Be Better
- Pricing: Wistia isn’t the cheapest. But it’s worth it if you need great features.
- Learning Advanced Features: Some tools, like heatmaps or A/B testing, take time to learn. But they are useful once you get the hang of them.
My Personal Experience
I’ve used Wistia for years. It’s been great for my training videos. The platform makes it easy to upload and organize everything. I can track how long people watch and where they stop. This helps me make better videos.
I also love the chapter feature. It lets viewers skip to the parts they want. This makes them more likely to watch all the way through.
The lead generation forms have worked well for me. They’re built into the video, so I can capture interest without annoying my audience.
Recommendation
If you’re serious about video marketing, Wistia is a great tool. It’s perfect for businesses and marketers who need powerful features like analytics and lead generation.
But if you only need basic video hosting, you might want to look at cheaper options like YouTube. If you want more control and insights, though, Wistia is worth the investment.
Sprinklr Review
Sprinklr is a tool that helps you manage social media and customer interactions in one place. It’s made for big companies with lots of customer data. If you need an easy way to connect with customers across different channels, Sprinklr could be the answer.
How It Works for Me
I had a hard time keeping track of all the messages from customers. They were coming from social media, emails, reviews, and more. I needed something to pull it all together. That’s when I found Sprinklr. It helps me see everything in one place. I can track social media, customer feedback, and support requests all from a single dashboard. The best part? I can respond quickly and make sure I’m meeting customer needs.
What I Like
- All-in-One View: I love having all customer interactions in one place. It’s easy to see what’s happening across social media, email, and more.
- Great Analytics: The reports are detailed and easy to read. I can quickly see how my posts are doing and adjust if needed.
- Social Listening: It tracks mentions of my brand and industry trends. This helps me stay updated on what people are saying.
- AI Insights: The AI gives me tips on what customers need next. It helps me stay ahead of the game.
- Team Tools: Sprinklr makes it easy for teams to work together. Everyone can share and approve content with a few clicks.
- Helpful Support: Whenever I have a problem, their customer support is quick and helpful.
What Could Be Better
- Takes Time to Learn: The platform has a lot of features. It can be a bit tricky at first. It might take some time to get used to.
- Price: Sprinklr is expensive. It’s great for big companies but might be too much for smaller ones.
- Too Many Features: There are a lot of options. Some businesses might not need all of them. It could feel overwhelming for small teams.
My Personal Experience
When I first started using Sprinklr, I was juggling too many accounts and messages. I had to check different platforms to stay on top of things. But with Sprinklr, everything comes to one place. I can see messages, track feedback, and even look at how my social posts are performing. One of the best things was the AI-powered insights. It helped me understand what customers were looking for before I even had to ask.
Here’s how it helped: “I got a negative tweet about our product. Thanks to Sprinklr, I saw it right away. We fixed the issue quickly, and the customer thanked us for the fast response.”
And another time: “Sprinklr helped me track brand mentions across social media. I could see how people were reacting to our new campaign. It gave me insights that helped me adjust our messaging right on time.”
Recommendation
Sprinklr is great for big companies with lots of customer data and social media channels. If you have multiple teams and need detailed analytics, it’s a perfect choice. It’s also great if you want to track what people are saying about your brand across all platforms.
However, if you’re a smaller business or just getting started with social media, Sprinklr might be too much. You could look at simpler tools like Buffer or Hootsuite. Take the time to figure out which platform fits your needs and budget.
TikTok Ads Manager Review
If you’re thinking about running ads on TikTok, the TikTok Ads Manager is a tool you should try. Here’s my experience with it, and what you might like (or not like) about it.
How It Works for Me
At first, I was unsure about using TikTok Ads Manager. I didn’t know if I could make good ads or reach the right people. But after using it for a while, I started to see great results. The targeting options helped me reach the audience I wanted. Plus, the whole process became easier over time.
What I Like
- Lots of Ad Options: There are many types of ads to choose from, like In-Feed Ads and TopView Ads. This lets me get creative.
- Target the Right People: I can choose who sees my ads based on their interests and behavior. This made my campaigns much more effective.
- Easy Analytics: I get quick updates on how my ads are doing. It helps me make changes right away.
- Simple Ad Creation: TikTok has tools like video templates that make it easy to create good-looking ads, even if I’m not a video expert.
- Fun and Creative: The platform lets you make ads that feel fun and real, which works well for TikTok’s audience.
What Could Be Better
- Takes Time to Learn: The platform took a while for me to get used to. It may be tricky if you’ve never used an ad manager before.
- Ad Approval Delay: Sometimes, it takes up to 24 hours for TikTok to approve your ad. This can slow things down if you’re in a hurry.
- Younger Audience: TikTok’s users are mostly younger. If you’re trying to reach older people, this might not be the best choice.
- Ad Costs Can Vary: The cost per click (CPC) can change, so you need to manage your budget carefully to avoid overspending.
My Personal Experience
When I started using TikTok Ads Manager, I was unsure. I didn’t know if I could make my ads stand out on such a busy platform. But after testing different ads, like Branded Hashtag Challenges, I started seeing good results. One of my campaigns had a high Click-Through Rate (CTR), and I was happy with the traffic it brought to my website.
I also liked how easy it was to track results. The TikTok Pixel helped me see which people took action after seeing my ads. This made it easy to see what worked and what didn’t.
Recommendation
TikTok Ads Manager is great if you want to reach a younger, engaged audience. If your brand fits that, or if you want to get creative with your ads, TikTok could be a great choice.
But if your target audience is older, or if you need more advanced features, you might want to look at other options.
Outbrain Review
Outbrain is a popular platform for native advertising. But is it right for you? Let’s take a closer look at how it works, what I like, and what could be improved.
How It Works for Me
I was looking for a way to get more traffic without using annoying pop-up ads. I tried a few other tools, but I wasn’t happy with the results. Then I found Outbrain. At first, I wasn’t sure if it would work. But once I tried it, I was impressed. The ads didn’t feel like traditional ads. They blended right into the content, making it feel natural. Plus, the targeting features helped me reach the right people.
What I Like
- Wide Reach: Outbrain works with big publishers like CNN and BBC. This means more people see my content.
- Targeting: I can choose who sees my ads. I can target based on location, interests, and more.
- Non-Intrusive: The ads don’t interrupt the reader. They fit in with the rest of the content, which feels much less pushy.
- Real-Time Data: I get updates right away. I can see how my ads are doing and make changes fast.
- Flexibility: Outbrain lets me use different types of ads, like video, images, and text.
What Could Be Better
- Price: The cost can get high, especially in competitive markets. Small businesses might struggle with this.
- Learning Curve: It takes some time to get used to the platform. The analytics are detailed, but they can be hard to understand at first.
- Support: When I’ve needed help, it’s taken longer than I expected to get a response.
My Personal Experience
I’ve used Outbrain for about six months now. It’s helped me reach a wider audience and improve my results. One campaign I ran saw 30% more clicks than the last one. The best part? The audience was more interested in my content, which made a big difference for my business.
Recommendation
Outbrain is great for businesses or creators who want to reach people in a natural way. It works well if you want to build brand awareness or drive engagement. But if you’re looking for quick sales or need something cheaper, you might want to look elsewhere.
If you’re not sure, I recommend trying it out. Yes, the learning curve can be tricky, and the cost is higher. But if you put in the effort, Outbrain can help you reach more people and get better results.
Final Thoughts
If you want an easy tool to help with email marketing, Mailchimp is a great choice. It’s simple and great for small businesses or beginners. But if you need more features or have a larger business, you might want to look at other options like Sprinklr or Google Ads.
I’ve found Mailchimp to be great for getting started. However, as you grow, you might need a tool with more advanced options. Think about what you need and pick the one that works best for you.
