Our Favorite Technology & Services
to Lower Your Costs & Increase Revenue
We really like these companies and hope they can be as helpful to you as they have been for us.
Each year we spend hundreds of hours on research, reading expert reviews, attending trade shows and webinars, and watching demos and hands-on testing of the latest applications and new services. Our goal is to help our clients reduce time and effort, avoid major mistakes and improve employee productivity, lower expenses and increase revenue. If you subscribe or take some action after clicking on any of these links, we may earn some extra coffee money which we'll drink while creating more helpful content like this :)
Small Business Technology Handbook
for Digital Transformation
Amazon Shopping (eCommerce Leader)
Amazon - Our favorite go-to online store for almost everything
Accounting, Finance, Invoicing, Project Management for SMBs
Freshbooks
Over 10 million Small Business users, with top customer service and support. Very easy to use and implement. This is the best, lowest cost and easiest accounting system to start your own (non-venture capital funded) business. Once your company grows up and you need an ongoing bookkeeper or accountant, you should then consider the other two systems below.
Xero
Designed from the bottom up as a web-based accounting system for small and mid-sized businesses. Xero is one of the hottest, fastest growing VC-funded companies in the world today with excellent support. They continue to grow their business through a network of top accountants, CPAs and bookkeeping partners.
Quickbooks Online
One of the largest and oldest installations of accounting and finance software for SMBs. The newer web-based service has a limited set of features when compared to the old client server software that has been around for 20+ years. The majority of their new business now comes from their cloud-based solution, not the older client server applications.
Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI)
Generative AI, also known as ChatGPT, was introduced to the general public at the end of 2022. In 2023, industry leaders began experimenting with small enhancements in their products using Generative AI. By 2024, the top software companies rolled out significant generative AI features in their applications. Those who under-invest or ignore this technology will begin to fall behind, while the generative AI leaders will pull ahead during 2025.
Beginner Tip: 10 AI Terms that everyone should know
To learn more about Generative AI, consult with the four world leaders in the field.
Calendars
Paper Calendars are still wonderful productivity tools for your office, desk and home.
I always have two large paper calendars on the wall in front of my office desk. One has the current month, and the other shows the next month. I’m always referring to them during Zoom meetings and phone calls before I book an appointment or meeting.
CRM - Customer Relationship Management
The "customer experience" is one of the most important indicators of future success or failure in business. CRM upgrades continue to be the highest priority investment in business applications today. The latest CRM technology is critical to help your team implement your business strategies. Sales, Marketing and Service / Support are the top three functions that benefit. Unfortunately, there are now hundreds of options today for Small and Midsize Businesses (SMBs) ...and the best solutions for you vary based on your company's current needs and future goals. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation and the best alternatives.
Domain Names for Your Business Website
You go to a Domain Registrar to search for, find and register a company website domain. You can also transfer and renew your existing website domain names as well. It's very easy to do this when you find the right company. We consolidated all our domains with Hover years ago. We've tested and used many other alternative companies (including GoDaddy) before finding them. They have excellent customer service (those Canadians are just great people!) and the user interface on their website is so much easier to use than all other companies we've tested.
Note: Tucows Inc., Hover’s parent company, is one of the worlds most respected domain registrars. They were among the first group of thirty-four registrars in the world to be accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in 1999. With over 180 employees around the world (including offices in Toronto, Amsterdam and Starkville), Tucows has quite the unique culture. With so many different nationalities and personalities, there’s never a dull moment.
eCommerce
One of the fastest ways to improve your business is to upgrade your website and add a modern eCommerce function. Click the link to see our list of the top eCommerce platforms and websites for Small and Midsized Businesses (SMBs):
Human Resource Solutions + Recruiting
TriNet
They provide Human Resource (HR) services to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). TriNet is headquartered in Dublin, California.
Zenefits (was acquired by TriNet as of 2022)
HR for Employees, HR pros, brokers, carriers and everyone in between – for all the tools you need and use
Bambee
Bambee gives you a dedicated HR manager who helps you craft HR policy and understand compliance. They charge a fraction of the cost of a full-time HR professional.
Motivational & Leadership Gifts
(T-Shirts, Hoodies... and more)
Click Here To Shop for fun Motivational Gifts for your Executives, Managers, Sales Team, Marketing and Employees. Motivate, Leadership, Believe, Silicon Valley, Digital Transformation, Dream, Top Dog, Inspire, Techie... t-shirts and more!
Office Apps
Microsoft 365 - (MS Office) for Business
Microsoft 365 is now in the Cloud, on a Web Browser, the Desktop and on Mobile devices. Anyone who is using an older Windows or Mac version of Office should consider investing in the new Microsoft 365 cloud solutions this year. Ransomware and virus attacks are continuing to dramatically increase every year on Small and Midsize Businesses (SMBs). Microsoft 365 is automatically updated on a regular basis to help protect you against these attacks and automatically fixes bugs without increasing your IT costs. If you like Microsoft, upgrade to their new cloud systems.
Google Workspace (formally G-Suite) Office Apps
Google Workspace includes versions of Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Keep (notes), Meet (formally Hangouts) and more. Over the last few years, the suite has been dramatically improved and the new features are excellent. If you like Google, upgrade to their latest cloud systems.
Outsource Cloud Computer Service
Amazon AWS Cloud Service
Amazon is the number one cloud service for every type of business around the world. From one person startups to Fortune 50 enterprises, AWS leads the industry in outsourced cloud computing with some of the lowest prices. FYI... AWS, Microsoft and Google are the top world leaders in this area.
Microsoft Azure Cloud Service
Microsoft is the second largest cloud service targeted at their existing installed customer base. If you're a Microsoft shop, you should consider Azure cloud services for your company.
Google Cloud Service
Google is quickly growing their cloud service. If you love Google products, their cloud service is an excellent complement to their other solutions.
Password Managers (Cyber Security)
Cyber Security is now a core requirement for every small and midsized business in the world. A weak password management policy is the fastest way for your company to be attacked. We have tried the top applications password managers and recommend the following top rated companies.
1Password
1Password is a top-rated password manager developed by AgileBits Inc. It provides a place for users to store various passwords, software licenses, and other sensitive information in a virtual vault that is locked with a PBKDF2-guarded master password.
LastPass
LastPass is a freemium password manager that stores encrypted passwords online. The standard version of LastPass comes with a web interface, but also includes plugins for various web browsers and apps for many smartphones. It also includes support for bookmarklets. LogMeIn, Inc. acquired LastPass in October 2015 - The service is not as good as it was before the acquisition.
Project Management
SmartSuite
SmartSuite provides a collaborative Work Management platform that enables teams to plan, track and manage any workflow - whether it be a project, an ongoing process or routine everyday tasks. Start with a free plan and is available in 15 languages.
ClickUp
All of your project management work in one place, including Tasks, Docs, Chat, and Goals.
Security Alarm Systems
SimpliSafe
If you're starting your own home business or have a small office, it's hard to beat SimpliSafe for your security and safety. They recently did a fantastic job upgrading all their system products. We recommend this system all the time to people who are NOT techies. They really have great customer support and service. You can get the basics for $250 and an optional $15/mo-to-month security monitoring service with no contract. Video Cloud storage is an additional cost per camera per month.
Ring (Amazon)
Originally known for its video doorbell, they now have one of the best integrated alarm systems you can buy at a reasonable cost (about $200). Ring provides an optional $10/mo-to-month security monitoring service that also includes video cloud storage. Ring integrates with Alexa. Note: The company was purchased by Amazon in 2018.
Nest (Google)
Nest has some of the highest quality video cameras and coolest security products on the market at any price. The security system is moderately priced (starting at $400+). However, the monitoring & cloud service for the alarm and cameras gets very expensive, very fast. Nest integrates with Google Assistant. Note: Google acquired Nest in 2014.
Training (Web-based Self-Paced Video Technology)
Digital Transformation Training
Introduction to Digital Transformation. Self-paced Cloud Training by Ross & Ross International
Tech Talk America
Free video training on technology. Great source of training to help develop your teams technology skills and knowledge.
Udemy Training
Low-cost training for small and midsized businesses (SMBs)
Training Systems - Apps to build your own training programs for inhouse or for selling
Create online courses and coaching services. Transform your experience and know-how into a thriving knowledge business. Create an in-house training program for your staff or training programs to sell to your customers. The following are two of the top companies that provide applications to build in-house training programs for SMBs.
Teachable
In a matter of minutes, you’ll have access to everything you could ever need to create and sell online courses and coaching—their stress-free platform makes it easy—tech skills or no tech skills.
Thinkific
Create, market and sell your expertise with a single platform that gives you total control of your brand and business.
LinkedIn Courses
They provide excellent courses to improve your team skills
Video Production
Screenflow software for the Mac
We use screenflow to create and edit short videos for marketing and training. They are one of the leaders in the industry. If you need formal training, you can click here for some of the top specialized training available for them.
Animated Videos
We've used Vyond and Pontoon apps to develop short animated videos, including white boarding. They're easy to learn and use... and their people are great to work with on projects or for support.
Website Hosting and Development
Wordpress
Thirty percent of all websites in the world have been developed using Wordpress content management system (CMS). That's more than any other CRM system. However, when you use Wordpress you need to add lots of plugin applications that require constant updates and maintenance. We recommend hiring a support company to help you with a Wordpress website. You can find thousands of website developers to help you create, update and provide monthly support to help you grow your business.
You also need to find a company to host your website if you are using Wordpress. WPengine is one of our favorite sites to host a Wordpress website. You can find much cheaper hosting companies. However, this company provides a support management service to help protect your website and your company from cyber attacks and perform key Wordpress maintenance.
Most companies use templates to build their website websites. StudioPress is one of the top companies that provide high quality Wordpress templates. They are recognized as one of the leaders in the Wordpress community and very highly regarded for their templates and support. Note: StudioPress was acquired by WPengine in 2018.
WIX
WIX is a very fast growing low-cost website development and hosting company that is easy to use and very powerful. They have good support for non-technical users that want to do-it-yourself (DIY).
Weebly
Weebly (purchased by Square in 2018) is also a very fast growing low-cost website development and hosting company that is easy to use and very powerful. They have good support for non-technical users that want to do-it-yourself (DIY).
Squarespace
This website was developed and is supported using Squarespace. They provide the tools to develop and host a website. It still has some of the prettiest free website templates available for its users. It's also very fast-growing. You should really use a developer to help you design, publish and maintain your website. They only have email support. No phone calls.
Small Business Technology Handbook
for Digital Transformation
We hope our suggestions will help you build and grow the technology stack for your business. These are the latest cloud and mobile solutions and not old legacy technology that will slow your success down this year. Contact us if you have any other questions or need some help. Thanks again for visiting our site :)