These tools are the ones that I recommend for entrepreneurs and startup businesses which I have personally evaluated for quality and value, and compared to alternative vendors. Read my comprehensive review for each product and service listed.
Starting
Launching a new business requires thoughtful planning and writing a business plan plus hiring legal services to form your company into a legal business structure entity.
Legal
Legalzoom has the best combination of legal expertise, affordability and convenience. Set up your new business entity as an LLC Limited Liability Company, DBA, Corporation, Nonprofit or Partnership and get registered agent services included in most packages. Also offered are intellectual property services such as patents, copyright and trademark registrations and name changes too! Save 10% with our exclusive promo code BEST4B19 – Read the Legalzoom review
Business Plans
LivePlan and Bplans Starting a new business is exciting, while writing a business plan is decidedly not! Confused about how to start, what to include and how to format it?The good news is that the online Liveplan or desktop Bplans Pro has you covered – completely. Its user-friendly interface that practically writes the business plan for you, has video tutorials and industry examples in every section. Read my review of bplans and liveplan business plan software
Branding
Logo Design
99designs is my favorite source for logo design for startups and branding. I got my new logo made for my business website at 99 logos. Read my testimonial and review of 99designs logo. Check out my side by side comparisons of 99designs vs fiverr, best dental logos and sites like 99designs. Also read about the logo design guarantee review that makes 99logos such a good deal and the best choice for your new business logo. Read my review of 99designs based on personal experience.
Marketing
Video and Logo Maker
Renderforest is arguably the easiest – and fastest – way to make videos that look professional and display well on all devices. It is free to use and if you want to upgrade to broadcast quality videos subscription plans are inexpensive. An authority site that I follow, G2 awarded it a Top 100 Software Company in 2019. The creative options are limited only by your imagination. At cloud-based Renderforest you can make explainer videos, YouTube promos, music visuals, mobile app promotions, and corporate presentations.
Accounting
Software
Quickbooks Online , in my expert opinion, is the best accounting software for small businesses because of its features and integration with credit card processors and mobile card readers using the mobile app Intuit Gopayment. I have used Quickbooks products for over 25 years, both desktop and online versions. Intuit continually improves their software as their mission states, “To improve our customers’ financial lives so profoundly … they can’t imagine going back to the old way.” Read my review of Quickbooks Online, Pros and Cons
Credit Cards
Intuit’s app GoPayment is my recommendation for your mobile credit card processing because its card reader is EMV compliant, automatically enters, tracks and syncs your customer credit card payments into your Quickbooks Online accounts – making for super easy bookkeeping. Compared to your other options such as Square, GoPayment is less buggy (an ongoing problem with Square) and easier to get approved for credit card processing with reasonable fees. There is even a plan with no monthly fees that allows you to process credit cards with no processing account. That is a win for lean startup entrepreneurs. Read my Gopayment review.
