[skysnap]

There are many cloud services out there that can help freelancers and small business. These services can help with productivity and getting your work done. You can do data, documentation and also any work that your client needs. Most of the cloud services and application are replacing the desktop apps. And it is can be possible for the cloud services to be used to improve your workflow and save time. In this article, I am going to list some of the cloud services for freelancers and small business.

Google Docs & Spreadsheet

These two set of the apps are good enough for the writing and spreadsheet requirement. These two apps are replacing the Microsoft's Office package on the desktop. Though the cloud based apps are not entirely replacing the macros and other things. I think it does to some extent can help with the work. You can also share it with as many people as you can. You can make the changes on the fly and also share it with the others. You can learn from some of the Google Spreadsheet tutorials.

Dropbox

When you want to store your files and folders on the cloud. This is the service that is going to help you the most. You can do a lot with service such as this. You can get your work done. You can also save time on the real hard disk and instead save on the cloud. You can find that there are some cloud apps which are worth using even make use of the dropbox. And you can use it to save the data directly onto the cloud. Using such service can surely save your time as well.

Zapier and IFTTT

These two are the automation apps which can be used to save time. You can automatically trigger the blog post and twitter. You can use Youtube and the other services on some specific trigger. You can use these two services for free upto some point. After that you have to pay for them. You don't have to invest much into those but it can get your job done. You can use them for most of the features. You may want to use them extensively for automation and saving time. I have found that these two sources are worth using.

Zoho

If you want to setup some of the business tools then Zoho can be a good place to start with. You can find book keeping, invoice, mail and other features inside zoho. And you can easily use them for your business. Compared to google apps, you can find zoho to be lot cheaper. Also the amount of money it takes for setting up is relatively low. You can definitely find some of the features worth using for invoice and book keeping for freelance and business use. I think you should take a look at that.

These are some of the tools worth checking out. You may want to try them depending on your needs or the client requirement. You'll definitely save a lot of time.

[Fergal]

skysnap have you used Zoho, what was your personal experience of it? Have you used their email service?

[skysnap]

Yes. Zoho has lot of good apps. My experience with their mail feature is not that good though. I prefer google apps for mail service. Rest of the apps from zoho like invoice, books etc are much better compared to most online apps.

[Fergal]

My experience with their mail feature is not that good though

Thanks for your reply, what was it about it that you didn't like? I ask because I have been considering using it.

[skysnap]

My experience with their mail feature is not that good though

Thanks for your reply, what was it about it that you didn't like? I ask because I have been considering using it.

If you plan on automating mail features with IFTTT or Zapier. You'll find mail forwarding has issues. Also folderwise sorting through automation is hard. Lot of such small features are harder with Zoho mail. I'd say keeping mail features aside rest of the suite is good.

[jumaandason]

Informative article there. Running a business today requires new and modern technology. Technology is ever-changing and as a business owner and/or manager you should always be on the look out for new technologies if you have to grow the business

[cmoneyspinner]

* * I have used Zapier and IFTTT. They work great!

[germainebull]

If you want to setup some of the business tools then Zoho can be a good place to start with. You can find book keeping, invoice, mail and other features inside zoho. And you can easily use them for your business. Compared to google apps, you can find zoho to be lot cheaper. Also the amount of money it takes for setting up is relatively low. You can definitely find some of the features worth using for invoice and book keeping for freelance and business use. I think you should take a look at that.

Zoho is a great choice for businesses because it has everything from accounting to email. Its pricing is more friendly than Google and is perfect for someone starting out. Check it out and see how it saves you money.