Top 23 Free Marketing Tools for Small Businesses in 2024
Table of Contents
What Are Marketing Tools?
Why Do Small Businesses Need Free Marketing Tools?
Free Marketing Tools For Small Businesses
Free Marketing Tools For Social Media
Free Email Marketing Tools For Small Businesses
Free Marketing Tools For LinkedIn
Free Content Marketing Tools
Free Marketing Automation Tools For Small Business
Free Whatsapp Marketing Tools
Free Influencer Marketing Tools
Free AI Marketing Tools
Final Note!
What Are Marketing Tools?
Ever wondered how some businesses seem to be everywhere… on social media, in your inbox, or popping up just when you’re searching for something online? That’s the magic of marketing tools for businesses. It just helps your business reach every corner of the world.
So, what exactly are marketing tools?
Think of them as the gadgets in a marketer’s toolbox that help a business connect with its audience. Whether it’s getting your brand noticed on social media, sending out an email newsletter, or tracking how well your website is doing, these tools are essential for making sure your message reaches the right people at the right time.
There are different types of marketing tools designed for specific tasks. For example, social media tools help you manage posts, track engagement, and analyze what’s working. Email marketing tools let you send out newsletters, promotions, or updates to your customers.
There are also tools for content creation, helping you design eye-catching visuals or write compelling copy, even if you’re not a designer or a writer.
The best part? Many of these tools are free, making them accessible even if you’re just starting out or on a tight budget. By using the right mix of these free tools to improve marketing, you can make your marketing efforts more effective and efficient.
Why Do Small Businesses Need Free Marketing Tools?
“I understand that free tools can help my business. But, why do I need it? Is it necessary?”… if this is what you are asking. Here’s why your MSME business needs marketing tools.
Running a small business is no easy feat. Every penny counts, and getting the word out about your products or services can sometimes feel like a luxury you can’t afford. That’s where free marketing tools come in… they’re like a lifeline for small businesses.
First off, free marketing tools allow small businesses to compete with the big players without draining their budgets. If you want to promote your brand on social media, send out newsletters, or improve your website’s SEO, these tools give you the power to do it all without spending a dime.
But it’s not just about saving money!
Free marketing tools also help you work smarter. They simplify and automate tasks that would otherwise take up a lot of your time (time that you can spend focusing on growing your business).
For instance, tools that schedule social media posts let you plan your content, so you’re not scrambling to post every day. Email marketing tools can help you stay in touch with your customers consistently, building relationships without much hassle.
Moreover, these tools provide valuable insights. Many come with built-in analytics that shows you what’s working and what’s not, helping you make informed decisions about your marketing strategies.
In short, free marketing tools are essential for small businesses because they offer a cost-effective way to boost your visibility, streamline your efforts, and grow your customer base… all without needing a big budget.
Free Marketing Tools For Small Businesses
Here is the list of free tools to improve marketing of your business specifically for social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, influencer marketing, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, automation tools, and AI tools.
Let’s get started…!
– Free Marketing Tools For Social Media
Let’s face it! Managing social media can feel like a full-time job, especially when you’re juggling everything else that comes with running a small business. Luckily, these free tools can make your social media life a whole lot easier.
Buffer – Buffer is a social media management tool that allows you to schedule posts across different platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Special Features:
Buffer’s intuitive dashboard is a big win.
You can see all your scheduled posts in one place.
It even suggests the best times to post for maximum engagement.
Wondering How to Use It?
Just connect your social media accounts, create your posts, and schedule them. Buffer takes care of the rest, helping you maintain a consistent online presence without the daily hassle.
Canva Canva is a user-friendly design tool that helps you create stunning visuals for your social media posts, even if you’re not a designer. Canva makes it easy to create eye-catching posts that grab attention.
Special Features:
Drag-and-drop interface
Tons of free templates
Access to stock photos
Wondering How to Use It?
Choose a template, customize it with your brand’s colours, images, and text, and download it. Then, use a tool like Buffer to schedule your beautifully crafted posts.
Hootsuite Free Hootsuite is another powerful social media management tool, great for managing multiple platforms at once.
Special Features:
Hootsuite offers a content calendar view, allowing you to plan and schedule posts with a bird’s-eye view of your social strategy.
It also includes basic analytics to track how your posts are performing.
Wondering How to Use It?
Start by adding your social media accounts, plan your content in the calendar, and let Hootsuite automate the posting for you. Keep an eye on the analytics to see what’s resonating with your audience.
Email marketing can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to reach a lot of people without a big budget. Here’s where these free email marketing tools come to the rescue.
– Free Email Marketing Tools For Small Businesses
Mailchimp Free Mailchimp is one of the most popular email marketing platforms, especially for small businesses. Its free plan is perfect for beginners.
Special Features:
Mailchimp’s free version lets you send up to 10,000 emails per month to 2,000 subscribers.
It also includes pre-designed email templates and basic automation features.
Wondering How to Use It?
Set up your account, import your email list, and start creating your first campaign using the drag-and-drop editor. You can also set up automated emails for things like welcome messages or special promotions.
Moosend Moosend is an easy-to-use email marketing tool that offers a lot of bang for no buck, especially for small businesses.
Special Features:
Moosend offers unlimited emails, advanced segmentation, and even automation workflows on its free plan.
It’s also GDPR compliant, which is a big plus if you’re dealing with European customers.
Wondering How to Use It?
Sign up, create your email list, and start crafting emails using their easy drag-and-drop builder. You can also create automation sequences to send the right message at the right time.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) Free
Brevo (formerlySendinblue) is another solid email marketing tool that’s great for small businesses looking to automate their email efforts.
Special Features:
Sendinblue’s free plan includes unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails per day.
It also has robust automation features, like sending targeted emails based on user behaviour.
Wondering How to Use It?
Start by setting up your account and importing your contacts. Use the drag-and-drop editor to create your emails and set up automated campaigns based on your customer’s actions, like signing up for your newsletter or abandoning their cart.
– Free Content Marketing Tools
Creating content that connects with your audience can be tough, especially if you’re not a natural writer or designer. These tools can help you produce high-quality content without the headaches.
Grammarly Grammarly is an online writing assistant that helps you write clear, mistake-free content.
Special Features:
Checking spelling.
Catches grammar mistakes.
Suggests better word choices.
Even checks for tone—ensuring your content is professional and engaging.
Wondering How to Use It?
Install the browser extension or use the web app to start writing. Grammarly will underline mistakes and offer suggestions as you type, making it easy to polish your content.
Trello Trello is a project management tool that’s perfect for planning your content calendar.
Special Features:
Trello’s boards, lists, and cards make it simple to visualize your content ideas, deadlines, and progress.
You can also collaborate with your team in real-time.
Wondering How to Use It?
Create a board for your content strategy, add cards for each piece of content, and move them through stages like “Ideas,” “In Progress,” and “Published.” It’s a great way to stay organized and ensure you’re always on track.
AnswerThePublic AnswerThePublic is a keyword research tool that helps you understand what your audience is searching for, giving you ideas for blog posts, videos, and more.
Special Features:
It visualizes search queries in an easy-to-digest way.
Shows you the questions and topics people are searching for around your keywords.
Wondering How to Use It?
Enter a keyword related to your business, and AnswerThePublic will generate a list of questions, comparisons, and related searches. Use these insights to create content that addresses your audience’s needs and interests.
– Free Marketing Tools For Linkedin
LinkedIn can be a goldmine for small businesses, especially if you’re in the B2B space. But navigating it without the right tools can be tough. Here are some free tools to help you make the most out of LinkedIn.
LinkedIn Company Page A LinkedIn Company Page is a must-have for any business looking to establish a professional presence on LinkedIn.
Special Features:
You can share updates.
Allows you to showcase products or services.
Helps to connect with your audience in a professional setting.
Wondering How to Use It?
Set up your company page, fill out your profile with your business information, and start sharing relevant content to engage with your audience. Encourage your employees to link to the company page in their profiles to boost visibility.
Canva for LinkedIn Canva also shines when it comes to creating professional-looking LinkedIn posts and banners.
Special Features:
With LinkedIn-specific templates, you can quickly design posts, cover photos, and even ads that stand out in the feed.
Wondering How to Use It?
Choose a LinkedIn template on Canva, customize it with your brand’s colours and messaging, and download your design. Then, upload it directly to LinkedIn to boost your profile’s visual appeal.
– Free Whatsapp Marketing Tools
WhatsApp is more than just a messaging app—it’s a direct line to your customers. These tools help you leverage WhatsApp for marketing without spending a penny.
WhatsApp Business App The WhatsApp Business app is designed specifically for small businesses to connect with customers on a more personal level.
Special Features:
You can create a business profile with important information like your website, location, and contact details.
It also supports automated messages, quick replies, and labels to keep your chats organized.
Wondering How to Use It? Download the WhatsApp Business app, set up your profile, and start engaging with customers by answering inquiries, sending promotions, and sharing updates.
Twilio for WhatsApp Twilio’s API for WhatsApp allows you to integrate WhatsApp messaging into your existing systems, like your CRM or website.
Special Features:
It supports two-way messaging, notifications, and even customer service automation, all through WhatsApp.
Wondering How to Use It?
Sign up for Twilio, get your WhatsApp Business number, and integrate it with your existing systems. This allows you to send and receive messages directly through WhatsApp, making it easier to manage customer interactions.
WA Web Plus WA Web Plus is a browser extension that enhances the functionality of WhatsApp Web, making it more powerful for business use.
Special Features:
It adds features like bulk messaging, message scheduling, and message templates, which are not available in the standard WhatsApp Web.
Wondering How to Use It?
Install the WA Web Plus extension on your browser, log in to WhatsApp Web, and start using the enhanced features to manage your customer communications more effectively.
– Free Marketing Automation Tools For Small Business
Automation is a game-changer for small businesses, helping you do more with less effort. These tools can automate repetitive tasks so you can focus on what really matters—growing your business.
HubSpot CRM HubSpot CRM is a free, full-featured CRM that helps you manage your customer relationships and automate your marketing efforts.
Special Features:
It tracks your Emails.
Manages your leads.
Even includes marketing automation tools like email sequences and workflows.
Wondering How to Use It?
Sign up for a free HubSpot CRM account, add your contacts, and start automating your email marketing with sequences. Use workflows to automate follow-ups and other repetitive tasks.
MailerLite Free MailerLite offers a user-friendly platform for creating and automating email campaigns.
Special Features:
The free plan includes up to 12,000 emails per month, automation workflows, and even a landing page builder.
Wondering How to Use It?
Set up your account, create your email list, and use MailerLite’s automation builder to set up workflows that trigger emails based on user actions, like clicking a link or signing up for your newsletter.
Zapier Free Zapier is a tool that connects your apps and automates workflows, helping you save time on repetitive tasks.
Special Features:
The free plan allows you to create 5 “Zaps” (automated workflows) that connect two apps, such as automatically adding new Facebook leads to your email list.
Wondering How to Use It?
Sign up for Zapier, choose the apps you want to connect, and set up Zaps to automate tasks like adding new customers to your CRM or sending a welcome email.
Free AI Marketing Tools
AI is no longer just for the big players—these free tools can help small businesses harness the power of AI to improve their marketing efforts.
18. Copy.ai
Copy.ai is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps you create engaging copy for your marketing materials.
Special Features:
With templates for everything from social media posts to product descriptions, Copy.ai can generate high-quality content in seconds, saving you time and effort.
Wondering How to Use It?
Sign up for Copy.ai, select a template, and enter a few details about what you need. The AI will generate content that you can tweak and use across your marketing channels.
Lumen5
Lumen5 is an AI-driven video creation tool that turns your blog posts and articles into engaging videos.
Special Features:
It uses AI to match your text with relevant visuals, music, and transitions, making video creation fast and easy.
Wondering How to Use It?
Paste your blog post or script into Lumen5, let the AI do its magic, and customize the video to fit your brand. Then, share the video on your social media channels to boost engagement.
Crystalknows
Crystal is an AI tool that helps you understand your customers’ personalities, making your marketing messages more personalized and effective.
Special Features:
Crystal analyzes your contacts and gives you tips on how to communicate with them.
This helps in improving your email outreach and sales pitches.
Wondering How to Use It?
Sign up for Crystal, connect your LinkedIn or email contacts, and start getting personalized insights on how to tailor your messages for better results.
– Free Influencer Marketing Tools
Influencer marketing can be a powerful way to reach new audiences, but finding and managing influencers can be tricky. These free tools make it easier for small businesses to tap into the power of influencers.
Upfluence Free Influencer Search Upfluence offers a free influencer search tool that helps you find influencers who are a perfect match for your brand.
Special Features:
You can search for influencers based on industry, location, audience size, and engagement rate, making it easy to find the right fit.
Wondering How to Use It?
Sign up for a free account, enter your criteria, and browse through the list of potential influencers. Reach out to the ones that match your brand to start building partnerships.
Heepsy Free Plan Heepsy is an influencer search tool that helps you find influencers on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms.
Special Features:
The free plan gives you access to influencer profiles, including their follower count, engagement rate, and audience demographics.
Wondering How to Use It?
Create a free Heepsy account, search for influencers based on your niche, and evaluate their profiles to find the best match for your campaigns.
BuzzSumo Free Plan
BuzzSumo is a content research tool that also helps you find top influencers in your industry.
Special Features:
It allows you to see which influencers are sharing popular content in your niche, helping you identify potential collaborators.
Wondering How to Use It?
Sign up for BuzzSumo’s free plan, enter a keyword related to your business, and browse through the influencers who are sharing the most popular content. Reach out to them to explore partnership opportunities.
Final Note!
Running a small business is challenging, especially when it comes to marketing on a budget. You agree with me, right? But with these free tools, you’ve got the power to reach your audience without spending a fortune.
From social media to email and LinkedIn, these tools make marketing simpler and more effective. They help you save time, stay organized, and focus on growing your business. So go ahead, give them a try, and see what works best for you.
With these tools in your corner, your marketing can be easier and more impactful—just what every small business needs…
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