When you get a new computer, it isn’t loaded up with hardly any useful software, let alone for small business. Many small business owners tend to not have all the essentials to meet their business needs, and often feel pressured to purchase expensive software that they probably won’t use.
In this guide, I’ll help you bootstrap your own small business software kit for free.
Let’s say you just bought a snazzy new computer and you turn it on, only to find out you have trials and crippleware installed. Not only is that lame, you are left helpless when you need to start building your small business. I mean, you bought the new system to grow your business, not to click buttons on nagware, right? I feel your pain.
Software today has changed significantly from the software yesterday. For one, software has left the CD and more importantly, the hard drive. Now, there is a breed of software known as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), which means simply, a provider is hosting the software and you never need to install it. (Infusionsoft is SaaS, in case you’re wondering.) All SaaS software requires is a Web browser and an Internet connection — that’s why it’s attractive.
Free Software Essentials for Small Businesses
- Mozilla Firefox — Firefox offers the most reliable, safe and speedy experience among all Web browsers. Despite the heated IE vs. Firefox debate, I encourage you to have it installed on your computer and take it out for a spin. It will become very handy the more you use it. Firefox has thousands of addons to help you fully adjust Firefox to your liking.
- Mozilla Thunderbird – If you’d like to use a superior and professional e-mail client, I recommend using Thunderbird. Not only is it faster, it has many addons available to help you extend it further for your small business needs.
- OpenOffice — If you don’t want to dish out $300 for Microsoft Office or have a disdain for that place in Redmond, then use OpenOffice. It’s a free office-suite for anyone to use on any operating system. It has a ton of features like saving in virtually any format needed and exporting into PDF.
- Foxit PDF Reader — A great alternative to Adobe Reader. It’s incredibly fast and is completely free. To compare how much faster it is, download our free PDF, The Edge. (And you’ll enjoy something good to read, too.)
- EDraw Mind Map Free — As you turn your ideas into business processes, marketing campaigns and follow-up sequences, you’ll eventually need to map your ideas out. With Mind Map, you can diagram almost anything, making it a great free alternative to Microsoft Visio.
UPDATE: A reader pointed out that commercial use of Mind Map Free is not permitted in the EULA, but I suggest giving it a shot and upgrade to the paid version if you like it or use Bubbl.us, as listed below. - Google Docs — If you’re more of the collaborative type and have a team who you share documents with, Google Docs is probably your bread and butter. Don’t let the name fool you, you can also make powerful spreadsheets, artsy presentations and even create useful Web forms.
- Google Calendar — Google Calendar certainly gives Outlook some competition. You can maintain any number of schedules, setup meetings and collaborate with virtually anyone who has a Google account. (If you happen to use Outlook, then you have to check out Google Calendar Sync.)
- Digsby — If you’re an Instant Messaging diva (or stud), you should manage all your IM needs with one application. Digsby supports many IM and social networks (including LinkedIn!), so you can remain accessible every time you’re on. An honorable mention would also be Pidgin, as it’s open-source.
- Bubbl.us — Online brainstorming/mind-mapping, somewhat like EDraw/Visio, but on the Web.
- Ubuntu – If you’re about to purchase a new computer (or you’re daring), consider using Linux. It’s free as in free speech. Specifically, I suggest to try Ubuntu. It’s free and has very good hardware support and has the essentials for small business bundled right in. Dell offers systems to have Ubuntu included, which can save you about $100 off your next system.
There is a bunch more free software out there, but these are the essentials. Now, your usage may vary, so at least try them out and see how they work for you. If you use one of these and enjoy it, I’ll feel better that I’ve improved your small business computing experience. 
Why did I write this, even though we sell marketing automation software? I believe every small business owner and entrepreneur should have these tools. Sure, I’d love if you all jumped on a demo and considered us for your automated follow-up marketing needs, but I believe that it’s important to empower people with the tools to be able to perform the essentials in business. We want to help entrepreneurs, empower and help liberate them. Sometimes, that help is free.
Know of a killer free app that helps you in your small business? Share it in the comments below!
[Image credit: ground*floor on Flickr]
