Running a business via the internet – and especially overseas or whilst traveling – can be a challenge at times but incredibly rewarding at others…
However you can make it much easier on yourself if you use the most suitable tools from the start. I’ve had quite a few emails recently asking about the main tools we use to run our business online whilst we travel, so here they are:
Communication & Scheduling Tools
For email & calendar functions:
Google Apps – which lets me use the power of gmail but have my own brand and own domain name.
For scheduling client consults & coaching calls:
Instant-Scheduling – I don’t use this quite as much right now but when I hire my VA, will begin to use it more.
For group conference calls:
Conference Genie (with UK users)
For talking to clients:
Skype – with SkypeOut calling credit plus a UK SkypeIn number for clients to call me.
For sending & receiving faxes:
Efax
Client Management Tools
For managing clients:
HighriseHQ – to keep track of prospects & clients, although now that I am using Google aps, I don’t seem to need this so much.
For invoicing clients:
SimplyBill – for simple tracking & chasing of invoices.
For collecting payments:
Paypal
Productivity, Marketing & Admin Tools
For managing my daily & other To Do lists:
BackpackIt – I know there are plenty others but this one suits me and is simple to use.
For backing up my files online:
Carbonite – I tried X-drive intially but found it really fiddly so gave up and this seems to work just fine.
For marketing & mailing lists:
AWeber [aff] – sending out ezines & keeping in touch with clients & prospects.
I’m sure these will change as we get tech- & web-savvier over the coming months & years so keep an eye out for future posts about the latest tools & resources we use to run our business.