12 Free Tools to Start an Online Business with $0

1. Canva (Free Design Tool)

Canva is a powerful, user-friendly graphic design platform that helps online business owners create stunning visuals, from logos and business cards to social media posts and digital ads. Its drag-and-drop interface and thousands of free templates make it ideal for beginners with no design experience. Canva empowers users to build brand identity and marketing materials without hiring a designer, saving both time and money in the early stages of business development.

12 Best Strategies:

• Create a consistent brand kit with colors and fonts.
• Design free downloadable lead magnets (eBooks, checklists).
• Customize templates for social media branding.
• Batch-create content using Canva's content planner.
• Use smart mockups to showcase products professionally.
• Create eye-catching YouTube thumbnails.
• Design business cards and printable materials.
• Utilize infographic templates to share statistics.
• Animate posts to increase engagement.
• Repurpose one design into multiple formats.
• Create email headers and banners.
• Collaborate with team members using shared folders.

Extra Advice:
To get the most out of Canva strategies, focus on building visual consistency across all touchpoints. Schedule time weekly to batch-design and plan ahead. Stick to your brand style guide to build recognition and trust. Leverage pre-made templates, then customize deeply to make each piece truly reflect your brand.

2. Google Sites (Free Website Builder)

Google Sites offers a simple, ad-free platform to build your business website without coding. Seamlessly integrated with Google Workspace, it's ideal for creating service pages, portfolios, and project-based microsites. You can embed videos, calendars, forms, or documents directly. It's not flashy, but perfect for lean startups needing a web presence quickly and reliably—especially useful when starting an online service or educational business from scratch.

12 Best Strategies:

• Create a landing page for services or offers.
• Embed Google Forms for lead capture.
• Add Google Calendar for booking or events.
• Link Google Docs as downloadable resources.
• Create a blog by regularly updating one page.
• Optimize titles and meta descriptions for SEO.
• Connect a custom domain for professionalism.
• Include testimonials and reviews.
• Showcase a portfolio with visuals.
• Use call-to-action buttons smartly.
• Structure navigation for easy access.
• Add a contact form for inquiries.

Extra Advice:
Use Google Sites for fast, reliable content delivery and a clean user experience. Keep layouts simple and functional. Consistently update pages and add fresh content to signal site activity. Use it as a testbed to later upgrade to a more advanced platform if your business outgrows basic functionality.

3. Mailchimp (Email Marketing Platform)

Mailchimp offers a free plan perfect for small businesses wanting to grow through email marketing. It allows you to collect emails, create newsletters, automate campaigns, and track engagement. With built-in templates and drag-and-drop editors, it’s easy to send professional emails even if you're not tech-savvy. It's an essential tool for building long-term customer relationships and launching products or promotions effectively without paid advertising.

12 Best Strategies:

• Set up an automated welcome email series.
• Use signup forms on your website.
• Segment your audience by interest.
• A/B test subject lines for open rates.
• Send weekly newsletters with value content.
• Promote lead magnets for list growth.
• Embed product recommendations into emails.
• Personalize messages using merge tags.
• Use analytics to refine campaigns.
• Re-engage inactive subscribers.
• Add countdown timers for urgency.
• Schedule emails for peak engagement times.

Extra Advice:
Start building your list early, even with a few subscribers. Focus on delivering consistent value rather than just selling. Monitor open and click rates to understand what works. Use your list to build trust before making offers. Integrate Mailchimp with your website and social channels for maximum reach and automation.

4. Payhip (Digital Product Selling Platform)

Payhip lets creators and entrepreneurs sell digital downloads, memberships, and online courses with zero upfront cost. It handles payments, delivery, and VAT for you, making it a top choice for selling eBooks, courses, or services. With customizable product pages, coupon codes, and affiliate systems, Payhip empowers you to launch a digital storefront and start earning online with no web development skills required.

12 Best Strategies:

• Sell eBooks or digital guides directly.
• Offer free downloads in exchange for emails.
• Create online courses or coaching packages.
• Use the affiliate feature for word-of-mouth growth.
• Run discounts with coupon codes.
• Bundle products for higher value.
• Use landing pages for promotions.
• Collect customer emails for remarketing.
• Add product videos to increase conversions.
• Test different pricing tiers.
• Create “pay what you want” offers.
• Track sales and traffic data.

Extra Advice:
Treat your Payhip store like a business hub. Start with one valuable product and optimize its presentation. Use customer feedback to improve offerings. Drive traffic through social media or email campaigns. Scale by adding more products or services and leveraging the affiliate feature to build a passive promotion network.

5. Google Forms (Free Survey and Data Collection Tool)

Google Forms is a free tool for collecting data, conducting surveys, creating quizzes, and generating leads. Its intuitive interface lets you create custom forms in minutes with options like multiple choice, checkboxes, and file uploads. Perfect for gathering customer feedback, application submissions, order forms, or lead generation without needing a paid tool. Responses are stored automatically in Google Sheets, making data analysis seamless and highly accessible for online business starters.

12 Best Strategies:

• Create surveys to understand customer needs.
• Build application forms for services.
• Use for order forms with optional file uploads.
• Set up lead generation quizzes.
• Collect testimonials or reviews easily.
• Embed on landing pages or websites.
• Share forms in email campaigns.
• Automatically link to Google Sheets for analysis.
• Add branding via images and logos.
• Limit responses by email or number.
• Use logic branching for personalized questions.
• Export responses to create case studies or reports.

Extra Advice:
Use Google Forms as a way to create two-way communication with your audience. Keep your forms short, mobile-friendly, and with a clear purpose. Analyze the data weekly to shape your business direction or refine services. Always follow up with those who complete your forms to build stronger relationships.

6. Trello (Free Project Management Tool)

Trello is a visual project management platform that uses boards, lists, and cards to help entrepreneurs organize and prioritize tasks. It’s perfect for content planning, client workflows, launch timelines, and business systems. The free version offers unlimited boards and users, making it great for solo entrepreneurs or teams. Trello boosts productivity, ensures task tracking, and is perfect for maintaining focus and structure in your business from day one.

12 Best Strategies:

• Create a weekly task board.
• Plan product or content launches.
• Set up a CRM with client cards.
• Use templates for repeat processes.
• Attach files or documents to cards.
• Add deadlines and reminders.
• Share boards with collaborators or VAs.
• Use labels for easy task categorization.
• Track progress with checklists.
• Use calendar power-up for scheduling.
• Organize content creation pipelines.
• Review progress at week’s end.

Extra Advice:
Keep your boards minimal and goal-focused. Use color-coded labels to visually sort your tasks. Checklists help break big projects into actionable steps. Regularly archive completed tasks to keep things clean. Use Trello daily to stay on track and avoid overwhelm. Integrate with tools like Google Drive or Slack as you scale.

7. Pexels (Free Stock Media Library)

Pexels offers thousands of free high-quality stock photos and videos, perfect for spicing up your website, social posts, blog content, and presentations. The images are royalty-free and can be used commercially without attribution, making it an ideal visual resource for bootstrapped entrepreneurs. Whether you’re building a brand, launching an ad campaign, or designing a thumbnail, Pexels gives you the professional edge—without needing a photographer or designer.

12 Best Strategies:

• Find relevant images for blog posts.
• Create branded social media visuals.
• Download HD videos for promos.
• Use photos for YouTube thumbnails.
• Add hero images to websites.
• Include in slide decks or presentations.
• Illustrate quotes or testimonials.
• Design ads with lifestyle imagery.
• Build mood boards or brand kits.
• Use background photos in Canva.
• Curate a personal image collection.
• Add image credits for transparency (optional).

Extra Advice:
Choose images that align with your brand tone and audience. Don’t overuse stock photos—blend them with custom designs in Canva or Photoshop. Keep a folder of your most-used visuals. Avoid cliché or overly generic photos to maintain authenticity and keep your audience engaged with realistic, high-quality content.

8. Systeme.io (All-in-One Sales Funnel Builder)

Systeme.io is a robust free platform for building sales funnels, email marketing, membership sites, and online courses—all under one dashboard. Its free plan supports up to 2,000 contacts and unlimited emails. Perfect for entrepreneurs launching digital products or service funnels, Systeme.io removes the need to juggle multiple tools. It’s user-friendly, with pre-built funnel templates and easy automation, making it ideal for a lean, zero-cost business launch.

12 Best Strategies:

• Build lead generation funnels with email opt-ins.
• Offer a freebie or mini-course to attract leads.
• Set up email automations post-signup.
• Create sales pages for products or services.
• Launch an evergreen webinar funnel.
• Build a membership site with gated content.
• Use upsells and order bumps to increase value.
• Track funnel conversion metrics.
• Collect payments directly.
• Split-test funnel variations.
• Offer drip-fed content to members.
• Automate welcome and nurture email sequences.

Extra Advice:
Systeme.io shines when you start with one clear funnel goal—whether list-building or sales. Map out your entire funnel before building. Use their templates to save time. Gradually add automation as your needs grow. It’s perfect for scaling without switching platforms. Keep funnels simple, focused, and conversion-optimized.

9. Google Drive (Cloud Storage & Collaboration)

Google Drive offers 15 GB of free cloud storage and integrates tightly with Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms. It's a vital asset for entrepreneurs managing digital assets, collaborating on documents, or storing client files. Easy sharing, link access control, and version tracking make it excellent for remote work, file security, and content organization. With real-time syncing and mobile access, Google Drive keeps your business files at your fingertips—anytime, anywhere.

12 Best Strategies:

• Organize documents in client-specific folders.
• Share contracts or proposals with view-only links.
• Collaborate on Docs or Sheets in real-time.
• Store branding assets like logos and templates.
• Maintain SOPs for repeatable tasks.
• Keep a shared content calendar.
• Upload product photos for easy access.
• Enable offline mode for on-the-go edits.
• Track changes with version history.
• Use Sheets for financial or KPI tracking.
• Back up important business data.
• Integrate with Trello or Slack.

Extra Advice:
Treat Drive as your business HQ. Set up folders and name files clearly. Share only the access needed to avoid security risks. Review shared files monthly. Use Drive links in proposals, content drafts, and client communication for seamless workflows. Sync it across all devices to stay productive on the move.

10. Notion (All-in-One Workspace for Organization & Planning)

Notion is a powerful free productivity platform combining note-taking, databases, calendars, and project management in one sleek interface. It’s perfect for solopreneurs and online business owners who need to manage content plans, client workflows, or daily goals without juggling multiple apps. Notion's templates, customization, and integrations make it ideal for organizing everything—from ideas and SOPs to full websites or business wikis—boosting focus and reducing clutter as your online business grows.

12 Best Strategies:

• Create a content calendar for your blog or YouTube.
• Set up a CRM to track clients or leads.
• Build a knowledge base for your services.
• Store your business goals and vision board.
• Track projects using kanban boards.
• Maintain SOPs for repeatable tasks.
• Organize ideas and business research.
• Create a personal task dashboard.
• Use templates to save time.
• Collaborate with VAs or partners.
• Track sales and revenue via tables.
• Create a workspace hub for all links/tools.

Extra Advice:
Start small—focus on one system like content or client tracking. Use icons and color blocks to keep it visually organized. Notion shines when it replaces several apps with one custom solution. As your needs grow, evolve your workspace instead of switching tools. Bookmark your most-used pages for fast access.

11. Linktree (Free Bio Link Tool for Social Media)

Linktree lets you consolidate multiple important links into one short, customizable bio link—perfect for Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. With the free version, you can add unlimited links, customize the appearance, and track clicks. It's ideal for directing followers to your products, blog, YouTube, sign-up forms, or digital freebies from a single link. Essential for creators and online entrepreneurs growing their presence across platforms without a website.

12 Best Strategies:

• Add a call-to-action for your top offer.
• Link to your latest blog or video content.
• Highlight a lead magnet with an email opt-in.
• Connect to all your social media accounts.
• Feature limited-time discounts or deals.
• Use emojis to make links stand out.
• Reorder links based on performance.
• Track analytics to optimize placement.
• Update links weekly for relevance.
• Match your brand colors and style.
• Add a YouTube or Spotify embed.
• Use the “Support Me” link for donations.

Extra Advice:
Think of Linktree as your mobile homepage. Keep it updated and aligned with your current campaigns or offers. Always lead with your most important link. Promote it in your bio and across channels. Check analytics regularly to understand what gets the most clicks and adapt your link layout accordingly.

12. Buffer (Social Media Scheduling Tool – Free Plan)

Buffer’s free plan allows solo entrepreneurs to manage up to 3 social media channels and schedule 10 posts per channel in advance. It’s a great tool for automating your content strategy, ensuring consistency, and freeing up time to focus on business growth. With an easy interface and analytics dashboard, Buffer helps new online business owners streamline their marketing and build an audience—even when running lean on time or budget.

12 Best Strategies:

• Batch-schedule weekly social content.
• Repurpose blog content into short posts.
• Use analytics to refine best posting times.
• Post consistently to grow trust and visibility.
• Cross-promote across multiple platforms.
• Add hashtags strategically in captions.
• Use link shorteners to track clicks.
• Mix value, promotion, and engagement content.
• Preview post layout before publishing.
• Repost evergreen content every few weeks.
• Plan content by theme or day.
• Monitor post performance trends monthly.

Extra Advice:
Focus on consistency, not volume. Use Buffer to plan your content calendar one week at a time. Monitor what content resonates most and double down on it. Automate posts during your audience’s active hours, freeing time for engagement and strategy. Save ideas in the drafts section to reuse later.