True or False?

Software for Small Business is Expensive.

True – if you still live by the old adage that you only get what you pay for.

False – if you find what you need (and like) that’s now available for FREE!

And I don’t mean a free trial. I mean fully functional no strings attached FREE forever!  Thanks to the evolution and growing popularity of Open-Source, Social Media and SaaS products (and new marketing tactics), the quality and quantity of low cost and free small business software is exploding!

Don’t know where to start? No problem, we’ll make it easy. 1 – Go to cnet.com and enter “free” before your keywords in search. 2 – Go to Google.com and do the same. 3 – See our suggestions / links below.

So, take a look around and don’t forget to let us know what you find.  We love FREE (great) software!

  • Web browser - Mozilla Firefox — Firefox offers reliable, safe, speedy Web browsing and there are thousands of Free add-ons to help you do more than browse – just click the “add-ons” tab on Mozilla’s homepage.  We love “Speed Dial”.  After a short test flight we bet you forget about Internet Explorer.
  • E-mail client – Mozilla Thunderbird – is slick and professional, and like Firefox, add-ons enable you to customize it for your business needs.
  • Office Software Suite – OpenOffice - is an open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more.  If you were thinking of buying (or upgrading) MS Office – you may decide to save hundreds of dollars.  Anyone, on any operating system, can use it for any purpose. Continuously upgraded, you can save and export your docs in almost any format.
  • Productivity – Evernote – is a handy organizer with more functionality than any bookmarks folder and syncs/works great (also free) on your I-Phone too.
  • Productivity - Action Method – Brainstorming tasks make their way to the completed folder when AM gets involved.  Do it or delegate it seems easier with the help of this online task manager.  And a great free app for the I-Phone to keep you synched.
  • Task Manager – Grindstone – Knows when you’ve been away from the keyboard to avoid over billing time on a task / project.  Another neat, free tool for busy professionals who sometimes lose themselves – immersed in work of course!
  • Diagrams - EDraw Mind Map Free — Free form diagram tool for almost anything – free for personal use. Easily diagrams your concepts for business processes, marketing campaigns, follow-up sequences, etc.
  • Google Docs — Have a team and need to share documents? Google Docs is a free “in the cloud” resource for building and sharing word documents, spreadsheets, presentations and forms.
  • Google Calendar — Maintain multiple schedules and meetings with collaborators or anyone who has a Google account – even your kids! And, there’s even a sync feature for Outlook.
  • Digsby — Manage all your IM needs with one application. Also supports social networks like LinkedIn, so you remain accessible.
  • Bubbl.us — Online brainstorming/mind-mapping, somewhat like EDraw/Visio, but on the Web.
  • Ubuntu – If you’re about to purchase a new computer (or you’re daring), consider using Linux. It’s free as in free speech. Specifically, I suggest to try Ubuntu. It’s free and has very good hardware support and has the essentials for small business bundled right in. Dell offers systems to have Ubuntu included, which can save you about $100 off your next system.

There is lots of great FREE software available for personal and small business use – and the list keeps growing.  Let us know your favorites and what you find while exploring!