7 Free Tools to Automate Your Daily Business Tasks and Save Hours

Ever feel like your business is running you instead of the other way around? If your daily routine has you putting out fires left and right like you’re a member of the NYFD, it’s time to call in some reinforcements. Automation tools can take over the boring, time-sucking tasks that keep you from focusing on the big stuff.

And you don’t need to be a tech wizard to set these up, either. We're talking free, easy-to-use tools that can shave off hours of grunt work every week. 

Here’s our list of 7 free automation tools you need to start using ASAP to reclaim your time.
 

1. Zapier

What It Does: Think of Zapier as your business’s personal assistant. It connects your favorite apps and automates repetitive tasks without you lifting a finger. For instance, you can set it up to save Gmail attachments directly to Dropbox or sync new leads from your website to your CRM.

Why You Need It: If you’re constantly switching between apps and manually transferring information, Zapier has your back. Set up your "Zaps" (automations) once, and let them do the dirty work for you.

Best For: Email management, lead generation, data syncing.

2. Trello

What It Does: Trello is a visual project management tool that helps you keep track of to-dos, project timelines, and deadlines. You can create boards for different projects, add tasks as cards, and assign due dates to keep everyone on track.

Why You Need It: Trying to manage tasks through endless email chains is like trying to play darts with a blindfold on. Trello automates the chaos and puts your project management on autopilot.

Best For: Project management, team collaboration.

3. IFTTT (If This Then That)

What It Does: IFTTT connects your favorite apps and devices so they can work together seamlessly. For example, automatically post a new blog article to your Facebook page or turn on your office lights when the clock hits 9 AM.

Why You Need It: With IFTTT, you can automate everything from social media updates to daily reminders, saving you hours every week.

Best For: Social media management, office automation.

4. Hootsuite

What It Does: Hootsuite lets you manage all your social media accounts in one place. Schedule posts, monitor social mentions, and track analytics, all while sipping your morning coffee.

Why You Need It: Social media is a time-sucking monster, but it’s essential for business. Automate your posts with Hootsuite and free up your day for other important tasks—like, you know, actually running your business.

Best For: Social media management, content scheduling.

5. Slack

What It Does: Slack is a messaging app designed for team communication. It cuts down on email clutter and allows you to set up automated notifications for important tasks, meetings, or deadlines.

Why You Need It: Email is a productivity killer. With Slack, you can automate notifications and streamline team communication so that nothing falls through the cracks.

Best For: Team communication, project updates, meeting reminders.

6. Calendly

What It Does: Calendly is a scheduling tool that allows clients and colleagues to book appointments with you based on your availability. No more back-and-forth emails to find a meeting time that works.

Why You Need It: If your inbox is flooded with emails trying to set up meetings, Calendly will save you hours of hassle. It integrates with your calendar and sends automated reminders to attendees.

Best For: Appointment scheduling, meeting management.

7. Google Forms

What It Does: Google Forms allows you to create surveys, quizzes, and forms that automatically collect responses in a Google Sheet. It's perfect for collecting customer feedback, conducting polls, or gathering data.

Why Do You Need It: Need information from clients, employees, or customers? Google Forms automates the process of collecting and organizing responses, eliminating the need for endless emails.

Best For: Customer feedback, internal surveys, data collection.

Wrapping It Up

You didn’t start your business to get bogged down in mundane tasks, did you? It’s time to let these free tools work their magic and automate your daily operations. Incorporating even just a few of them into your workflow can save you hours each week—hours that you can use to grow your business, brainstorm new ideas, or finally take that much-needed (and deserved!) breather.