My Go-To Subscription Services for Running a Small Business (And How Much They Cost!)
I was recently on a podcast (listen here!) and was asked how I manage running my business and doing client work. It’s a balancing act for sure and one that requires being organized. However, running a small business also means choosing the right services to support your work. As I was building Swell Virtual Assistance, I was careful to make strategic decisions about the programs I was going to use to streamline my workflow.
Picking services can be overwhelming; there are so many to choose from, pricing may be difficult to find, and functionality often can’t be fully understood until you are in the software and using it.
But never fear! Below are my go-to subscriptions services and how much I paid for them:
Please note: These prices do not reflect what you may actually pay for these services. They are meant to be examples to give you an idea of what to budget.
Accounting Software: QuickBooks
$130.80 for annual subscription
QuickBooks is considered the gold standard for business accounting software. This program offers comprehensive financial tools including budgeting, recording transactions, financial reporting, tracking mileage, tax reporting, payments, and more. There are many different plans to choose from based on the needs of your business. I chose the simplest plan: Self-Employed.
What I like best: I can track my revenue and expenses, invoices, payments, time, and mileage all in one program.
Electronic Agreements: DocuSign
$130.80 for annual subscription
If your business relies on contracts, whether they are client agreements, order forms, or any other document that requires a signature, you’re going to want a way to secure valid electronic signatures. DocuSign is an excellent solution. Not only does DocuSign reduce paperwork but it provides secure eSignatures that are valid and legally binding.
What I like best: DocuSign provides a clear paper trail for record-keeping purposes. Once a contract is signed, all signatories receive an executed copy of the agreement automatically.
Email and Productivity Tools: Google Workspace
$240.67 as a part of Squarespace annual subscription that includes website hosting and domain
I use Google Workspace for my email, calendar, and task lists (that's right, I have more than one but that's another conversation for another time). I love Google because its interface is intuitive and convenient both from a desktop or phone/tablet. Google Workspace also integrates with so many other services like Squarespace and Zoom.
What I like best: The cross-functionality between emails, calendar, and tasks. I can add an email to a task list and mark due dates that also show up in the calendar view. This makes it easier to stay on top of to-dos and deadlines.
Video Calls: Zoom
$163.89 for annual subscription
Thanks to the pandemic I’m sure we have all heard (and probably used!) Zoom for video calls. As a small business owner, and especially as someone who works mostly remote, Zoom is a service that I use multiple times a week. Zoom allows users to host video meetings including one-on-ones, conference calls, webinars, workshops, and more. With a recording option it also lets you save recordings for record-keeping purposes or to share resources with attendees.
What I like best: The quality and reliability of the video calls are very good. Zoom also integrates with Google Calendar so I can invite attendees and share the meeting link in just a couple of clicks.
Design Software: Canva
$119 for annual subscription
When I first learned of Canva and saw its functionality I was THRILLED. Gone were the days of needing to know difficult software like Photoshop or Illustrator. Canva is a user-friendly, graphic design software that makes content creation a breeze. With thousands of templates and an intuitive user interface, Canva is absolutely my go-to for all things graphic design. For business owners with a small budget and the need for DIY, Canva is a great solution.
What I like best: Canva offers a Brand Hub that allows you to create a customized Brand Kit for your business including logos, color palettes, and fonts. When creating an image or video, the Brand Kit is readily available to implement the right branding assets.
Choosing the right programs for your business is daunting. But you don’t have to reinvent the wheel! I hope these recommendations help give you a starting point. Contact me if you want to learn more or discuss how I can help.
Swell Virtual Assistance provides administration, communication, and marketing services to small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs. With my decade of management and leadership experience and contracts starting at only four hours I am the professional, affordable assistant you need. Let’s get started!
-Stephanie