The Best Free (or Cheap) Tools to Run Your Business Like a Pro
We horse people are used to the adage “you get what you pay for”, but believe it or not there are some free (or nearly free) tools out there that can make managing your business a bit simpler! Here are some of the best free (or super affordable) tools that can help you streamline operations, manage customers, and market your business without breaking the bank (meaning more money for saddle pads).
1. Yet Another Mail Merge (YAMM) - Bulk Emailing Made Easy
If you send emails to customers, clients, or leads, (and you better be) Yet Another Mail Merge (YAMM) is a game-changer. It integrates with Google Sheets and Gmail, allowing you to send personalized bulk emails that don’t feel like bulk emails. Each plan comes with open and click tracking so you know who opens your messages. The free version lets you send up to 50 emails per day, and the paid plans are still way cheaper than most email marketing platforms.
Why it’s great:
Personalized bulk email campaigns
Open and click tracking
Super easy Google integration
2. Canva & Canva Pro - Design Without the Designer Price Tag
Canva makes graphic design accessible to everyone. Whether you’re creating social media posts, flyers, presentations, or even business cards, Canva’s free version has thousands of templates and design elements. Canva Pro, at just $10 a month, is absolutely worth it for anyone serious about their brand. It includes brand kits, which allow you to save your logo, colors, and fonts for consistent branding across all materials. Consistency in branding builds trust and recognition, making your business look polished and professional. Canva Pro also offers background remover, premium templates, and the ability to resize designs effortlessly for different platforms.
Why it’s great:
Drag-and-drop simplicity
Thousands of free templates
Brand Kits for cohesive branding
Background remover for polished graphics
Resizing tools to repurpose designs easily
3. Airtable - Customer & Data Management Made Simple
Think of Airtable as Google Sheets on steroids. It’s a super flexible database that helps you track customer interactions, inventory, projects, or anything else in a visually appealing way. The free plan includes enough features for most small businesses, and you can upgrade as your business grows.
Why it’s great:
Customizable templates for different industries
Easy-to-use interface with powerful features
Free plan covers most business needs
4. Google Business Profile - Free Visibility & Free Google Ad Credits
If you’re not using Google Business Profile, you’re missing out on free traffic. It helps you appear in local searches, show up on Google Maps, and collect customer reviews. Plus, when you verify your business, Google often gives you free ad credits to run Google Ads and boost your visibility.
Why it’s great:
Increases local search visibility
Builds trust with customer reviews
Free Google Ads credits to get started
5. Square - Quick & Easy Invoicing and Payments
Square is a fantastic tool for small businesses that need an easy way to accept payments and send invoices. Whether you’re selling products in person or need to invoice clients, Square makes it seamless. It’s free to create an account, and they only take a small fee per transaction. The invoicing feature is quick and simple, making it ideal for service-based businesses.
Why it’s great:
Free to set up with no monthly fees
Simple invoicing and payment tracking
Accepts card payments in-person and online
Final Thoughts
Running a business is hard enough without expensive software subscriptions draining your budget. These free (or cheap) tools help you handle marketing, customer management, finances, and organization without spending a fortune. Start with the free versions, and only upgrade when you need more features.
Need help getting started? Set up an intro call and we’ll walk you through it!