Productivity tools that is essential for small business owners

By Garth Howard

My Guide to Productivity Tools I Use

As a busy entrepreneur managing both NetMechanic and HowarCore, I’ve learned that the key to running a successful business isn’t just about hard work, it’s about using the right productivity tools to streamline operations, improve collaboration, and boost efficiency. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various tools across different aspects of my business, from project management to web design, and each one plays a crucial role in how I stay productive and deliver results.

In this post, I’m going to take you through the productivity tools I use daily to manage my projects, streamline my time, create stunning designs, track performance, and even produce educational videos. If you’re looking to level up your productivity, these tools are a game changer.

1. Project Management Tools

When you’re juggling multiple projects, clients, and teams, organization is key. That’s where project management tools come in, and here’s what I swear by:

ClickUp

ClickUp is a time management powerhouse. It helps me organize tasks, set deadlines, and keep everything aligned across multiple projects. With ClickUp, my teams and I can collaborate on tasks, track progress, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. It’s especially great for long-term planning and day-to-day task management.

Kanbanflow

For personal task management, I use Kanbanflow. This simple yet powerful tool helps me stay on top of my daily tasks and visualizes my workflow through Kanban boards. It keeps me organized and focused, allowing me to see what’s on my plate and prioritize accordingly.

2. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Building and maintaining strong relationships with customers is essential for any business. Here’s how I manage customer interactions and growth:

HubSpot

HubSpot is the CRM I rely on to manage customer relationships. It helps me keep track of leads, manage contacts, and automate follow-ups. Whether I’m working on sales funnels, customer communication, or email campaigns, HubSpot is invaluable in ensuring I stay connected with clients and prospects and that my customer relationships grow smoothly.

3. Time Management Tools

Time is money, especially when you’re wearing multiple hats as an entrepreneur. Here are the tools I rely on to manage my time effectively:

Clockify

I’ve been using Clockify for a while now, and it’s the go-to tool for tracking time across multiple projects. It helps me understand where my time goes and ensures that I’m optimizing my work schedule. Whether I’m working on client projects for NetMechanic or developing new ideas for HowarCore, Clockify gives me the insights I need to stay on track and manage my time effectively.

Google Calendar

Google Calendar is essential for keeping track of my day-to-day schedule. From meetings with clients to internal team check-ins, this tool helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t miss any important commitments.

Zoom, Google Meet, and MS Teams

Whether it’s a one-on-one with a client or a team training session, these three tools keep me connected to everyone I need to work with. Zoom is great for client meetings, Google Meet helps with internal chats, and MS Teams is perfect for team collaboration, file sharing, and instant messaging.

4. Creative Tools

Great designs are essential for building strong brands. These are the tools I use to create high-quality visuals:

Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator

For serious design work, I rely on Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. These tools are unmatched when it comes to creating detailed graphics, logos, and web assets. I use them regularly for both NetMechanic and HowarCore to ensure that every visual element is on-brand and professional.

Canva

When I need quick and easy designs, I turn to Canva. It’s a user-friendly tool that helps me create stunning social media posts, presentations, and marketing materials in no time. It’s a lifesaver when I need to churn out a design in a pinch without sacrificing quality.

5. Web Design & Development Tools

As someone who’s deeply involved in web development, these tools are vital for building and optimizing websites for my clients and my own projects:

WordPress & Elementor

WordPress has been my go-to CMS for years, and Elementor is the ultimate page builder that makes designing beautiful, responsive websites a breeze. Whether it’s for a new NetMechanic project or a client’s website for HowarCore, I use WordPress and Elementor to create fast, functional, and eye-catching sites without needing to write complex code.

Visual Studio and Notepad++

For coding and web development, Visual Studio and Notepad++ are the two tools I use to review code, troubleshoot issues, and ensure that websites are built to perform. They’re perfect for custom coding, from simple HTML tweaks to more advanced web development.

Google Analytics, Search Console, and UberSuggest

These tools give me the insights I need to optimize my websites and improve SEO performance. Google Analytics and Search Console are essential for tracking site traffic, user behavior, and any technical SEO issues. UberSuggest helps me with keyword research, content ideas, and competitive analysis to ensure my websites rank higher and attract more visitors.

6. Blogging and Content Creation Tools

When it comes to blogging, whether it’s for NetMechanic or sharing insights through HowarCore, I use these tools to make my content strategy seamless:

WordPress

WordPress isn’t just for design—it’s also my content management system of choice for publishing blogs. It’s incredibly flexible and easy to use, making it the perfect platform for sharing everything I know about web development, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Mailchimp

For staying connected with my audience, Mailchimp is the tool I rely on. It helps me create and manage email newsletters that keep my subscribers updated on new posts, updates, and offers. It’s one of the best email marketing tools available for small businesses.

ChatGPT

For gathering blogging ideas, I often turn to ChatGPT. It helps me brainstorm new topics, get inspiration, and even organize my thoughts. That said, I still check the content and make sure it aligns with my tone of voice before publishing. It’s a great tool for jumpstarting my content creation process.

7. Video Content Creation Tools

With the rise of video content, I’m starting to dive into creating tutorials, sharing knowledge, and documenting my entrepreneurial journey:

OBS Studio

OBS Studio is my go-to tool for creating high-quality screen captures and video tutorials. It’s fantastic for recording what I’m learning, providing step-by-step guides, or sharing insights into the tools and processes I use to run my businesses.

YouTube

I’m excited to start using YouTube to share what I’m learning, offer tips on web development, and discuss my entrepreneurial experiences. It’s the perfect platform for connecting with like-minded people and building an audience that values education and growth.


Final Thoughts: Optimize Your Workflow with the Right Tools

As you can see, I rely on a comprehensive set of productivity tools to keep my businesses running smoothly. Whether it’s managing projects, designing websites, tracking time, or creating content, each tool has its place in my daily workflow. By integrating these tools into your routine, you can take your productivity to the next level and ensure that you’re always moving forward with your business.

Remember, it’s not about using every tool available; it’s about finding the ones that truly add value to your work. Start small, experiment with different tools, and find what works best for you. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.orth the effort.

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