Running a small business is tough. I get it. You wear a lot of hats, and it feels like there’s always something to do. But the best online marketing tools for small businesses can make things easier. I’ve tried a few myself, and they help.
In this article, I’ll share the tools that worked for me and how they can help you grow your business. Let’s get started!
What is online marketing tools?
Online marketing tools help you reach more people online. They make marketing easier and faster. Think of them as your helpers. You can use them to manage ads, emails, and social media posts.
There are many types of tools. Some help you send emails to customers. Others help you plan and schedule posts on social media. Tools like Google Analytics show how your website is doing. They tell you how many people visit and what they click on.
These tools save you time. Instead of posting every day, you can schedule posts ahead. Tools like Buffer and Hootsuite let you set it all up, and then relax while they do the work.
For small businesses, these tools are a big help. They let you do things the big companies do. But without needing a huge budget. It’s about working smart. With the right tools, you can do more in less time.
What is the benefits of using online marketing tools?
Online marketing tools are very helpful. They save time. They make work easier.
Before, I spent hours doing marketing. I had to send emails, post on social media, and check results. Now, I use tools that do all this for me. It’s like having extra help.
These tools give me instant data. I can see what’s working and what’s not. In the past, I guessed. Now, I know.
They also help me reach the right people. The tools show who is clicking on ads and visiting my site. This way, I only spend money on what works.
Online marketing tools save money too. They help me avoid wasting cash. I get better results for less money.
In short, online marketing tools make things easier, faster, and smarter. They save time and money. If you haven’t used them, you should try them now!
10 Best Online Marketing Tools for Small Businesses
| Tool | Category | Main Features | Price | Best For |
| Shopify | E-commerce Platform | Easy-to-use online store builder, payment gateway, product management, and customer support features | Starts at $39/month | Businesses looking to start an online store or e-commerce website |
| ChatGPT | AI Assistant | AI-powered conversation tool for answering queries, generating content, and automating communication | Free with paid plans available | Businesses needing AI chat support and content creation assistance |
| Ahrefs | SEO & SEM | Keyword research, backlink analysis, SEO audits, rank tracking, competitor research | Starts at $99/month | Businesses focused on improving their SEO strategy |
| ManyChat | Chatbot & Automation | Messenger bot for Facebook & Instagram, automated marketing campaigns, segmentation, integrations | Free plan available; paid plans start at $15/month | Small businesses wanting to automate conversations and customer support |
| Grammarly | Writing & Grammar Tool | Grammar checking, style suggestions, tone detection, plagiarism checker, content improvement | Free plan available; premium starts at $12/month | Businesses needing polished, error-free content for marketing |
| Mailchimp | Email Marketing | Email design, automation, segmentation, analytics, landing page builder, integrations | Free plan available; paid plans start at $13/month | Small businesses looking for an easy email marketing tool |
| SimpleTexting | SMS Marketing | Easy setup, customizable campaigns, affordable pricing, simple segmentation | Starts at $25/month | Small businesses starting with SMS marketing |
| HubSpot | CRM & Marketing | CRM, marketing automation, sales tools, landing page builder, email marketing, customer service | Free plan available; paid plans start at $50/month | Small businesses needing an all-in-one marketing solution |
| Wistia | Video Marketing | Customizable video player, detailed video analytics, lead generation forms within videos | Starts at $99/month | Businesses using video for training, demos, and B2B marketing |
| Buffer | Social Media Management | Social media scheduling, analytics, multi-platform support, post scheduling, affordable pricing | Free plan available; paid plans start at $15/month | Small business owners looking for social media management tools |
Shopify
Starting an online business is hard. It can feel like you’re juggling a million things at once. I tried many tools, but nothing worked for me. Then I found Shopify. It changed everything.
How It Works for Me
I was stuck. I didn’t know how to set up my store or manage my products. Shopify made it easy. The setup was simple. I was able to build my store in just a few hours.
What I Like
- Easy to use: Shopify is simple. I didn’t need to be a tech expert to set up my store.
- All-in-one: I could handle everything—payments, inventory, and shipping—on one platform.
- Great support: If I had a problem, help was always there. Shopify’s team was quick and friendly.
- Built-in marketing tools: It’s easy to track sales and run ads. Shopify helps grow my business.
What Could Be Better
- Price: It’s not the cheapest. But for what you get, I think it’s worth it.
- Learning curve: There are lots of features. It took me a bit to get used to everything.
My Personal Experience
When I started, I felt overwhelmed. But Shopify helped me stay organized. I used the cart recovery tool to bring customers back. It worked!
One time, I had a speed issue with my store. Shopify fixed it quickly. Their customer support made it easy for me.
Running my store is smooth now. I can add products in minutes. I can also offer discounts with just a few clicks.
Recommendation
Shopify is perfect for beginners. It’s simple to use and has all the tools you need. If you want to run a professional store, it’s a great choice. If you’re on a tight budget, though, you might want to explore other options. But for me, Shopify has been worth every penny.
If you’re serious about your store, give Shopify a try. It makes running an online shop easy.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT has made waves since its launch. It’s changed how people work, write, and create. After using it for a while, here’s what I think.
How It Works for Me
I was feeling overwhelmed with my tasks. I had a lot to write, emails to send, and projects to manage. A friend told me to try ChatGPT. I did, and I was impressed. It helped me write faster, organize thoughts, and even clean up my captions. It’s simple to use and saved me a lot of time.
What I Like
- Saves Time: I use ChatGPT to write quick emails and social media posts. It’s fast and easy.
- Helpful in Writing: I can write drafts, and it helps me improve them. It makes my work clearer without changing my voice.
- Great for Everyday Tasks: ChatGPT can do more than write. I use it for coding, content ideas, and even organizing my work.
What Could Be Better
- Can Be Slow: Sometimes it takes a bit longer to get a response. It happens when there’s a lot of traffic on the site.
- Not Always Accurate: For very specific tasks, like the latest tech news, it sometimes gives outdated or wrong info. It’s not perfect for everything.
My Personal Experience
I use ChatGPT in many ways:
- Writing Emails: I send it a summary, and it writes a good reply. It’s quick and saves me a lot of effort.
- Social Media Posts: ChatGPT helps me write posts that sound good on different platforms. It knows how to fit the tone.
- Blog & Video Scripts: I often start with an outline. ChatGPT helps me turn it into a full script. It makes writing easier.
Recommendation
ChatGPT is great for anyone who writes a lot. It helps with emails, posts, and even coding. If you need help organizing your work, it’s a good tool. It’s perfect for business owners, creators, and anyone who wants to save time.
But if you need very specific or up-to-date info, it may not be the best fit. For those cases, it’s better to do a bit of extra research.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs has been super helpful for me. If you need a tool to track your site’s SEO, Ahrefs might be just what you’re looking for. Let’s dive into how it works, what I love about it, and where it could improve.
How It Works for Me
At first, I had trouble tracking my backlinks and keywords. I used several tools, but none gave me everything I needed in one place.
Then I found Ahrefs. Right away, I saw how easy it was to track backlinks and keywords in one spot.
It helped me understand my SEO much better. I could quickly see where my backlinks came from and how my site ranked.
What I Like
- Great Backlink Checker: Ahrefs’ backlink checker is one of the best. It shows me where my backlinks are from and even if I lose any links. This helps me build better links.
- Keyword Difficulty Tool: Ahrefs makes it easy to check how hard it is to rank for a keyword. I use it to find keywords I can actually rank for.
- Traffic Insights: Ahrefs shows me the traffic my competitors are getting. I can use this to improve my own strategy.
- Easy to Use: The interface is clean. I can find what I need quickly.
What Could Be Better
- Price: Ahrefs is a bit pricey. It’s not the cheapest, especially if you’re just starting with SEO.
- Limited Free Trial: The free trial doesn’t give full access. If you want all the features, you’ll need to pay.
- Learning Curve: Ahrefs has many features. It can feel a bit much at first, but once you get used to it, it’s fine.
My Personal Experience
Ahrefs has made SEO much easier for me. I use the Ahrefs Backlink Checker almost daily to see my backlinks. It’s easy to track new links and find lost ones.
Here’s a story: Once, my rankings dropped for a keyword. After checking Ahrefs, I found that a key backlink was gone. I reached out and got it back, and my rankings improved. Without Ahrefs, I might not have noticed that.
Another time, I used Ahrefs’ Keyword Difficulty tool to find low-competition keywords. These keywords brought in more traffic without much competition.
Recommendation
If you want to improve your SEO, Ahrefs is a great choice. It’s good for tracking backlinks, keywords, and overall site health. Whether you’re new to SEO or a pro, Ahrefs can help.
But, if you’re on a tight budget or just starting out, you might want to try other tools first. Ahrefs is powerful, but it might be more than you need if you’re not yet ready to invest.
If you’re looking for a free trial of Ahrefs, keep in mind that it’s limited. But, you can still check out their blog and tutorials to get a feel for what it can do.
Manychat
Manychat helps businesses automate messages on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. It’s a great tool for saving time and managing customer communication. But is it the right choice for you?
How It Works for Me
I was feeling overwhelmed by all the messages I was getting. Managing DMs on Instagram and Facebook was a lot to handle. That’s when I tried Manychat. It helped me set up automated replies. I was able to engage with customers without being tied to my phone all day. It made my life so much easier.
What I Like
- Supports Multiple Platforms: I can connect Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp all in one place. It saves me time and keeps everything organized.
- Simple Automation: Setting up automations is easy. I can create a basic template in no time.
- AI Helps with Responses: The AI does a great job understanding messages. It triggers the right replies automatically, saving me a lot of work.
- Affordable Pricing: Manychat’s pricing is fair. It’s a good value for what you get.
- Instagram DM Broadcasting: I can send messages directly to Instagram DMs. It’s perfect for sales and promotions.
What Could Be Better
- Free Plan Has Limits: The free plan is helpful, but it has some limits. You can’t use advanced features unless you upgrade.
- Takes Time to Learn: If you’re new to automation, there’s a small learning curve.
- No TikTok Support: It doesn’t work with TikTok yet, which would be nice since TikTok is growing fast.
My Personal Experience
I use Manychat every day. It helps me stay on top of my messages. For example, when people message me on Instagram asking “How do I start?” Manychat sends them a link to my program. It’s super easy.
One time, I ran a promotion on Instagram. Instead of answering each message by hand, Manychat did it all for me. I got more orders than I expected. It saved me so much time.
I also set up an automation for Instagram Stories. Anyone who replies to my stories with “Sign Me Up” gets an instant reply with more info. It’s helped me get more leads and grow my business.
Recommendation
Manychat is perfect for small to medium businesses that get lots of messages. It’s a great tool to automate responses and save time. If you want to improve your customer service, this could be a big help.
If you’re focused on TikTok or need very advanced features, you might want to look into other options. But if you’re looking for a tool to handle DMs on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, Manychat is a solid choice.
Grammarly
Grammarly is one of the most popular tools for improving writing. Whether you write emails, reports, or essays, it helps you get things right. But is it worth the money? Let’s find out.
How It Works for Me
I was always unsure about my grammar. English is not my first language, so I made a lot of mistakes. When I first heard about Grammarly, I decided to try it. At first, I wasn’t sure if it would work for me.
But it did. It caught small mistakes I would have missed. It also helped my writing sound more natural. Grammarly is not perfect, but it made me feel more confident.
What I Like
- Easy to Use: Grammarly is simple. You don’t need to set up anything complicated.
- Real-time Corrections: It fixes mistakes as you type. This helps me learn and improve.
- Plagiarism Checker: It checks if my writing matches other online content. This is great for school and work.
- Better Vocabulary: Grammarly suggests better words to use. This helps me sound more professional.
What Could Be Better
- Plagiarism Limitations: It only checks against content Google has indexed. It doesn’t cover everything on the web.
- Grammarly AI: Sometimes, it gives suggestions that don’t make sense. It can be a little too picky.
- Pricing: The premium version costs a bit more than I expected. But it’s worth it if you need professional help.
My Personal Experience
When I was in college, I had a paper to finish fast. I was worried it wouldn’t be good enough. That’s when I tried Grammarly. It found small mistakes and helped me fix them. I was impressed.
Now, I use Grammarly for my work. It helps me write clearer emails and blog posts. It saves me time and makes sure my writing looks good.
Recommendation
Grammarly is great for anyone who writes a lot. It helps you write better, faster, and with fewer mistakes. It’s perfect for work, school, or even personal projects.
If you only need basic help, the free version may work for you. But if you want full support, the premium version is worth it. It has more features and helps with bigger projects.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is more than just an email tool. It’s a full marketing platform. In this review, I’ll share how it works for me, what I love, and what could be better.
How It Works for Me
When I first started with email marketing, I struggled to find the right tool. I tried many, but none felt right. Then, I tried Mailchimp. It was simple to use, yet powerful enough to grow my business. The best part? It does more than just email. It helps me manage my contacts, build my website, and track results—all in one place.
What I Like
- Easy to Use: The dashboard is clear and simple. I can find everything I need without getting lost.
- Free Plan: Mailchimp’s free plan gives me 10,000 emails a month and up to 2,000 contacts. It’s perfect for starting out.
- Automation: I love how easy it is to set up automated emails. I don’t have to send each email manually. It saves time and helps me connect with my audience.
- Reports: The reports are simple to understand. I can see what’s working and what’s not. This helps me make better decisions.
- Integrations: Connecting Mailchimp to my online store and social media is easy. It lets me track sales and customer behavior.
What Could Be Better
- Templates: Some advanced email templates are locked behind paid plans. I wish more templates were available in the free plan.
- Pricing: As my email list grows, I need to upgrade to a paid plan. The cost can add up, so it’s something to consider.
- Learning Curve: The basics are easy, but some advanced features, like segmentation, took me a bit longer to figure out.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been using Mailchimp for over a year now. It has made email marketing much easier. One of the best things is setting up automated emails. For example, when someone subscribes to my list, they get an automatic welcome email. This helps me stay connected with them without extra work.
I also love how Mailchimp links with my store. After each sale, I can send a special discount email. It’s been a great way to build loyalty and boost sales.
Once, I sent a campaign to my list with a special offer. The result? My open rates went up, and I saw a 20% increase in sales. It felt good to see Mailchimp working for me.
Recommendation
Mailchimp is great for small business owners and beginners. It’s simple and easy to start with. The free plan is perfect for those just beginning email marketing. As your business grows, you can upgrade to get more features.
If you want more advanced templates or automations right away, you might want to go with a paid plan. If you need more time to decide, it’s worth trying the free plan first.
For anyone who wants to dive into email marketing, I highly recommend giving Mailchimp a try.
SimpleTexting
When it comes to SMS marketing, it can be hard to find the right tool. In this SimpleTexting review, I’ll explain how it works for me, what I like, and what could be better. Let’s get into it!
How It Works for Me
I’ve used many SMS marketing tools before. Most were too complicated or too expensive. I struggled to find something that worked without costing a lot.
That’s when I found SimpleTexting. It was easy to set up. The platform is simple, clear, and affordable. It helped me stay connected with my customers in a way that worked for my business.
What I Like
- Affordable: SimpleTexting is cost-effective. You won’t overpay for features you don’t need.
- Easy Setup: I could start right away. I didn’t need to hire anyone or spend hours learning.
- Great Support: The customer support team is friendly and quick to help.
- Custom Campaigns: Creating a campaign is simple. I can choose who to target and what message to send, all in a few clicks.
What Could Be Better
- Segmentation Limits: It’s not as easy to create complex segments. If you want very specific groups, it might not work well.
- Basic Analytics: The analytics are okay, but not as detailed as I would like. If you need deep data, this might not be enough.
- No Free Version: SimpleTexting doesn’t offer a free plan. Some competitors do, so keep that in mind.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been using SimpleTexting for months now, and I like it. Here’s how it works for me:
- Sales Campaigns: I ran a sale campaign through SimpleTexting. The setup was quick, and the results were great.
- Customer Support: When I had a question, their support team helped me quickly. They made the whole process easy.
- Building My List: I used the keyword feature to get more sign-ups. It was easy to set up and worked great with my website.
Recommendation
I think SimpleTexting is perfect for small businesses, especially if you’re new to SMS marketing. It’s easy to use and affordable.
If you need more complex features or data, you might want to look at other tools like SlickText. But for most small businesses, SimpleTexting is a great choice.
HubSpot
Looking for an easy way to manage marketing, sales, and customer service? HubSpot could be just what you need. Here’s my personal take on it.
How It Works for Me
I used to struggle with juggling different tools for my marketing and sales. Everything felt scattered. Then I found HubSpot. At first, I wasn’t sure it would work. But once I started using it, I saw how it brought everything together.
It made managing my contacts, marketing, and customer service much easier. The best part? It saved me time.
What I Like
- Everything in One Place: HubSpot gives you a CRM, marketing tools, sales software, and even a website builder. No need for separate apps.
- Easy to Use: HubSpot’s design is simple. I’m not a tech expert, but I found it easy to use.
- Good Customer Support: HubSpot’s team is quick to help. The knowledge base is also full of useful tips.
- Great for Leads: The pop-up forms and landing pages are fantastic for capturing leads. They work well for turning visitors into customers.
- Email Marketing: The email editor is drag-and-drop. Even the free plan gives you useful tools to create nice-looking emails.
What Could Be Better
- Costly Premium Plans: The free plan is good, but to unlock the best features, you’ll need to upgrade. The jump to the Professional plan is a bit expensive.
- Limited Free Website Builder: The free website builder is nice, but it’s not as flexible as Wix. Plus, it has HubSpot branding.
- Automation Can Be Tricky: Setting up workflows and automation features takes time. But HubSpot does offer tutorials to help.
My Personal Experience
I was looking for a tool to automate my marketing. I needed something that could track my leads and keep my emails organized. HubSpot did just that.
The CRM helps me see where each lead is in the sales funnel. The email automation saved me a lot of time. It also helped me follow up with leads at just the right time.
Recommendation
HubSpot is great for small businesses. If you want everything in one place, this is the tool for you. It’s perfect for businesses that need a CRM, marketing, and customer service tools together.
But, if you’re on a tight budget, you might want to look at cheaper alternatives. If you’re mainly looking for email marketing and automation, try tools like ActiveCampaign.
Wistia
Wistia is a great tool for video marketing. If you want control over your videos and better data, it’s worth considering. Here’s what I’ve learned.
How It Works for Me
At first, I had trouble with video hosting. I tried YouTube and Vimeo, but they didn’t give me enough control. I wanted to track how people were watching my videos. That’s when I found Wistia. It worked right away. The platform was easy to use, and I could track everything. It also let me customize my videos to fit my brand.
What I Like
- Customizable Player: I can change how my videos look. It’s easy to match my brand’s style.
- Video Analytics: I get detailed data on how people watch my videos. I can see what works and what doesn’t.
- Lead Generation: Wistia lets me add forms to videos. This makes it easy for viewers to sign up or contact me.
- Easy to Use: Uploading and sharing videos is quick. I don’t need a tech background.
- Helpful Support: The team at Wistia is always ready to help. They also have great learning resources.
What Could Be Better
- Price: It costs more than free options. But, I think it’s worth the price for the features.
- Learning Curve: There’s a lot to explore. It can be a bit much at first.
- Social Sharing: I’d love more ways to share on social media. More integrations with platforms like Instagram would help.
My Personal Experience
Wistia made it easy to upload and organize my training videos. I host lots of demos, and Wistia’s features like video chapters make it easier for viewers to jump to what they want.
For example, I added lead forms directly into a webinar video. I saw more sign-ups because people didn’t have to leave the video to register.
Another client used Wistia for their product demos. They added chapters to let viewers skip to the parts they cared about. They saw a 20% increase in conversions because of it.
Recommendation
Wistia is great for businesses that want to use video seriously. If you create training videos, demos, or webinars, Wistia is a great choice. It’s also good for B2B marketing or e-commerce.
If you are just starting out, you might want to check other options first. But if you want to use video to grow your business, Wistia is worth it.
Buffer
Managing social media used to feel overwhelming. Buffer changed that. Let me share how it worked for me.
How It Works for Me
Before I found Buffer, I spent hours posting on different platforms. I had Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook all open at once. It was a lot. Then, I started using Buffer. It helped me schedule posts for all my platforms in one place. It saved me so much time. Now, I can focus on other parts of my business.
What I Like
- Easy to Use: The design is clean and simple. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll find it easy to navigate.
- Post Scheduling: I can schedule posts in advance. This means I don’t have to be online at the right time to post. It’s like setting it and forgetting it.
- Analytics: I love the analytics tool. It shows what posts worked best. I can use that info to improve.
- Affordable: The free plan is great for beginners. The paid plans are cheap compared to other tools.
What Could Be Better
- Limited Features on Free Plan: The free plan is basic. You can only connect three accounts. Some features are locked behind paid plans.
- No Social Listening: It doesn’t track mentions of your brand across the web. I miss having that feature.
- Not Much Customization: The design is simple, but it doesn’t let you change much. Advanced users might feel limited here.
My Personal Experience
I use Buffer mostly for scheduling. I can post across all my social media platforms without logging in every day. I can set posts to go live at the right times, even when I’m busy. It frees up my time to work on other things.
For example, last month, I had a big product launch. Instead of posting each day, I set up everything in advance with Buffer. It saved me hours of work.
A friend of mine uses Buffer for her clients. She runs a marketing agency. With Buffer, she can manage multiple accounts easily. It’s simple and quick. She loves that it lets her track results and schedule posts for all her clients.
Recommendation
Buffer is perfect for small business owners. It’s great for anyone who wants to save time and make managing social media easier. If you’re just starting with social media or need something simple, Buffer is a great tool.
But if you need more advanced features, like tracking mentions or customizing a lot of settings, you might want to look at other tools. There are options like Sprout Social or Hootsuite that offer more.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to online marketing and want simple, easy-to-use tools, these are great options. They help you stay on top of things without feeling overwhelmed.
But, if your business is growing fast and needs more advanced features, you might need something more powerful. Based on my experience, these tools are a solid starting point, but it’s important to pick what works best for you.