The road to success costs… a lot. As a virtual assistant, I’ll help you navigate the marketing world with tools with great features that don’t charge you (unless you want premium features) so you can expand your business without straining your budget. Let’s get started!

WordPress

WordPress is a free platform that allows you to build a professional website without knowing how to code. It’s an excellent alternative for small businesses that need a robust online presence. You can select from thousands of customizable themes and add features like an e-commerce store, reservation system, or blog.

How to use it: 

• Register for a free account.
• Pick a theme that aligns with your business.
• Start personalizing!

Incorporate your logo, business details, and any other content you wish to share with your clients.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a free email marketing tool that enables you to create and distribute newsletters, promotional emails, and more. It’s an effective way to keep your customers up-to-date about new products, sales, and other news.

How to use it: 

• Register for a free account.
• Import your email list. 
• Start designing campaigns. You can select from a range of templates and tailor them to match your brand.

Google My Business

Google My Business is an essential tool for local businesses. By claiming your listing, you can ensure your business information is accurate on Google Search and Maps. You can update your business hours, contact information, and photos to give potential customers a better idea of what you offer.

How to use it:

• Visit the Google My Business website.
• Sign in with your Google account.
• Follow the prompts to claim your business.
• Update any needed information.
• Add wonderful photos.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free tool that provides insights into your website’s activity and engagement. It’s invaluable for understanding how well your SEO strategy is working and for gaining in-depth information about customer demographics.

How to use it:

• After signing up for a free account, you’ll receive a tracking code to put on your website. This will allow Google Analytics to start collecting data. You can then access various reports to understand your audience better and optimize your marketing efforts.

Please note that you must have a Creator Plan to use this in WordPress and install a Plugin (e.g., Monsterinsights). You can also take advantage of the basic analytics that WordPress (or your website builder) has to evaluate how your site is doing.

Google Alerts

Google Alerts is a free tool that alerts you whenever your business is mentioned online. It’s a great way to monitor your online reputation and engage in competitor research. The best is that all the info gathered arrives straight to your chosen email address.

How to use it:

• Go to the Google Alerts website.
• Enter the name of your business (or your competitors’) in the search box.
• Set your preferences for how often you want to receive alerts.

These tools are just the tip of the iceberg regarding free marketing resources available to small business owners and solopreneurs. By leveraging these tools, you can gain a competitive edge, engage with your customers more effectively, and ultimately drive more business. Remember, the key to successful marketing is consistency and understanding your audience. 

As a final note, fears about the death of content marketing (that you can have on your website) and email marketing, I think that if you focus on your audience and what they want/need to know, you can succeed. Take the time to learn, experiment, and improve.

Do you have other free tools that you use in your business? Please share them in the comments below!

About the Author:
I’m Astrid, a biologist who made a career shift to become a virtual assistant and an accountability partner. My journey from the world of science to customer service and freelancing has given me a unique perspective on life, and I sometimes share it here on WordPress.

Do you need a capable and reliable accountability partner? Contact me on Fiverr or LinkedIn.