The Best Free Tools for an Online Store --

Mar 16, 2022

Every store owner wants their company to grow. This means using equipment to run operations more effectively and assist the team in the back of the house make better decisions.

In addition, there are numerous free tools on the market for everything from designing incredible graphics to safeguarding your website.

The following are the best free tools for the online retailer and categorized them into three sections: growing your business, streamlining your operations while speeding up the process and protecting your store.

Develop your company

Google Analytics setup in WordPress

The world's most renowned analytics platform, Google Analytics has helped millions of eCommerce shop owners better understand their clients and boost the amount of revenue.

 The key capabilities are:

  • Track and compare website usage information (how many users are visiting your site and how many pages are visited, the bounce rate and so on) and then compare your the performance of your site in the course of.
  • Find the websites that are generating the most traffic (search, social, email direct, search or direct. ) and which websites are the most popular, the countries from which visitors come and what characteristics they share.
  • Analyze the effectiveness of ads campaigns including customer conversions and the value of those sales.

Fundamentally, Google Analytics provides an chance to assess the performance of your site and marketing strategies.

It is possible to identify blog posts that are most popular so you can develop more content similar to them or concentrate on optimizing these pages to increase converts.

The possibilities with Google Analytics are pretty unlimited. From beginners to advanced stores which have million-dollar sales, Google Analytics has something for anyone.

Vimeo video on a product page

Videos can be a powerful tool to use for an eCommerce store. Actually, seventy-two percent of customers would rather learn about the product via video rather than reading text. Including videos on your website can improve conversion rates as high as 80percent. Therefore, make use of this!

The Vimeo extension leverages the capabilities of Vimeo to allow store owners to create and share product videos, without having any prior experience. You can either use Vimeo to let Vimeo create your video automatically based on product photos and other information or modify templates to have more control.

 Capabilities:

  • Create product videos using already-existing templates, or your own photos and videos, or a library of stock footage. No editing skills are required!
  • Include videos on your website pages to boost conversions.
  • Keep track of your performance and find out the impact your videos have on sales.

Vimeo's already done a ton of the work for the benefit of. Utilize ready-made templates that were designed around specific themes like introductions to products, brand new products or sales, as well as testimonials. And once the videos are finished, you can embed them on your product pages, or add them to other pages on your site, or utilize them in marketing campaigns, including email campaigns and social media.

creating a transactional email with MailPoet

Email marketing is an incredibly powerful tool for online stores. It can be used to contact new customers, interact with existing ones, encourage additional sales, gain reviews and much moreall using an email account that you manage and are in complete control of. And MailPoet simplifies this process by integrating directly with your shop.

Key capabilities:

  • Emails to abandoned carts are sent out to recover lost sales.
  • Send out newsletters or email marketing campaigns.
  • Create personalized follow-up email messages Based on the products you bought.

These tools can be used to thank customers who have made the purchase, and request comments and reviews. You can send messages to those who have left your site without checking out and include a coupon code or free shipping coupon in order to motivate them to purchase. Also, keep your company in mind with existing customers through periodic newsletters, tips and tricks, and announcements.

Notice: MailPoet offers a free tier for up to 1,000 subscribers.

4. Canva

creating an image in Canva

Canva is a free graphic design program that allows anyone -- even those who have no design expertise- to create images for social media, slider images, digital ads, and many more.

 The key capabilities are:

  • Explore a vast collection of stock images as well as icons and fonts.
  • Create or use existing templates to make your work easier.
  • Get started with templates that are perfectly appropriate for the design's intended use (like advertisements on social media).

Canva allows you to create on-brand, professional graphics to use on your site, emails, ads, and other strategies for marketing without having to purchase costly software.

Streamline operations

shipping label creation with  Shipping

Fulfilling the shipping and fulfillment of orders can be an issue. But Shipping was created to make things simpler for business owners. The extension is completely free and lets you purchase and print domestic as well as international shipping labels directly via your WordPress dashboard. It also includes a hefty discount off of those labels.

 The key capabilities are:

  • Print , manage and store USPS as well as DHL labels from your dashboard -- even when you're on the move.
  • Begin shipping internationally using DHL's built-in integration and helpful tools.
  • Receive substantial discounts on shipping charges.

Automating your process for shipping is among the most effective ways to improve effectiveness and reduce expenses. If you can master this process and reduce the cost for customers and improve their satisfaction with better than the timeframes for fulfillment.

 Payments in the dashboard

Payments is a payment gateway which you manage right from the dashboard. What's the best thing? There aren't any setup costs or recurring costs.

Key capabilities:

  • Accept 135+ currencies.
  • Charge recurring payments.
  • Make use of Instant Deposits to gain quick access to funds.
  • Integrate with Apple Pay, Google Pay or giropay for an easier checkout.

Payments makes the process easier for both you and your customers. You can view payments and subscriptions, and even issue refunds from the same location you manage your store. Customers don't have to go to a third-party site to pay and can even use existing accounts, such as Apple Pay -- to pay for purchases. The benefits are endless!

tax settings with  Tax

Tax helps eCommerce owners automatically calculate how much sales tax to collect for each order when they check out. It's a huge matter, since tax obligations are incredibly different based upon the place of residence of your customers. It's never an easy task to determine.

Capabilities:

  • Automatically and precisely calculate sales tax by city, country, and the state.
  • Access support directly from .
  • You can use it in more than 30 nations -- an enormous bonus for multinational stores.

In the absence of a tax professional or simply enjoy making calculations, you'll be grateful every day for the fact to know that Tax is working for you. Once it's set up it's time to concentrate on the most essential (and enjoyable) aspects of operating a store while staying in compliance with local regulations. It's a sure thing. huge weight off of your shoulders.

4. P2

screenshot of a post in P2

Launched in 2020, P2 is a no-cost web-based team management software that fosters collaboration and communication through the creation of a central point of activities for your business.

 The key capabilities are:

  • It is easier to streamline and organize corporate-wide conversation.
  • Protect sensitive information by restricting access only to authorized workers and contractors.
  • Make use of an advanced search tool to pinpoint precisely what you're searching for.
  • Monitor project progress, establish due dates and give tasks.

With all kinds of integrations, and the capability to include multimedia files directly within posts, teams are able to publish simple texts or post elaborate examples of their project work. P2 is a reliable record of company progress and lets teams collaborate across the team and gain insight without jeopardizing security.

5. The WordPress mobile apps

three screens from the WordPress mobile apps

The website you have created doesn't cease just because you're out of the office. And with the WordPress mobile app, website management isn't a problem. If you're in the train, in a plane, or simply outside of work You can manage a variety of your most important work from your phone or tablet.

 The key capabilities are:

  • Edit, write, and publish blog posts.
  • Review site health statistics and website stats.
  • Response to criticisms.
  • Find new users.

It is possible to make the most of your time by creating posts anytime and any time you feel the urge to write, and keeping an eye on everything that happens on your website, and providing access to team members or employees whenever you require.

 mobile apps on two devices

The Mobile application lets you manage crucial aspects of your business anyplace you're able to get an internet connection. View orders, print labels as well as track statistics for your store as they happen.

 Capabilities:

  • Create, edit, and publish products.
  • Get real-time notifications so you don't have to constantly be on the lookout for notifications.

Who sits in front of their computer all day? No one, not even the owners of online stores are bound to one locationthere's business and other activities every day and throughout. This app can access order information when packing boxes, keep tabs for inventory right within your warehouse and even offer refunds while on the move.

7. Google Drive and Google Docs

Google Docs homepage

The two tools, which are part of Google Workspace, are perfect for teams spread across time zones or just in the workplace.

With Google Drive, you can manage and save files to the cloud which are accessible to anyone who has the proper permissions. Keep assets in a file for quick sharing of essential information with new contractors and remove access to confidential documents as employees leave for the next job.

Google Docs allows you to work on the same file based on text at any time with anyone across the world. Notes from meetings can be shared and you can make edits as you discuss. Review press releases and edit blog posts using an unidirectional team, and much other.

 Key capabilities:

  • Files can be stored and shared from your laptop, tablet or even your mobile.
  • Collaborate in real-time for an "in-person sensation" and even if you live miles away.
  • Connect to other office software including Microsoft Word.

Stop sending documents via email. Stop asking your designer to provide you with yet another file type. Keep everything together in one easy to sorting location and create a united project file until it's perfect completed, approved and available to share with all the world.

8. Simplenote

Simplenote viewed on three devices

The name of this program is a clear indication of the tool's capabilities. Simplenote is a way to keep all your notes -either individual or collaborative -- in one central location to make them easy to access.

 The key capabilities are:

  • Tags are used to group notes into sections.
  • You can be confident with backups that are automated based on the modifications you make.
  • Make notes available for collaboration.

All of your notes stay current and precise across all device. You can use it to take notes of inventory items that are not in your inventory, write down feedback from customers, or jot notes of team discussions. You can then access and modify these notes on the office desk computer, mobile, and personal laptop.

Accelerate and protect your store

1. WP Super Cache

wp super cache settings

This tool enables you to speed up your online store without complicated, confusing optimizing steps. It generates automatically static HTML files on your website which it then distributes to site visitors rather than loading a heavier version each and each time.

 Key capabilities:

  • Make sure that your website cache is turned on with the push of one button.
  • Automatically compress pages on websites for speed improvement.
  • Join with an external CDN for even more power.

When you enable WP Super Cache you'll be able to put your items and important information in front of potential clients quicker. This encourages customers to stick around on your website and find the information they're seeking before making an order.

2. Jetpack Boost

Jetpack Boost settings

Jetpack is a complete security and performance tool that is able to help any WordPress site. Jetpack Boost is a free component of Jetpack that is especially useful for stores.

People won't come back when your business isn't up and running. In addition, speed is a key factor that search engines utilize to determine the position of your website in search results. Jetpack Boost offers simple solutions to a variety of important performance factors -- and great performance goes hand-in-hand with profitability.

Key features:

  • Test the performance of your website for desktops and mobiles.
  • Make use of quick solutions like delaying non-essential Javascript or enabling lazy loading and activating Jetpack's complimentary WordPress CDN.
  • Make your customers more satisfied and improve your improve your search engine rankings using a single tool.

With Jetpack Boost, you don't require a designer -- or employ one -- to improve the overall health of your site. Enhance your performance while putting in the minimum amount of effort. Your customers will be there longer and search engines will be rewarded, too.

3. Jetpack Security

Jetpack Security options

Every website needs protection against malware-infected hackers and bots- and that's even more relevant for eCommerce stores. Thankfully, Jetpack offers several security tools for WordPress websites that will not harm your earnings.

 The key capabilities are:

  • Check your website for downtime and be alerted if the site is not responding.
  • Guard your shop from brute force attacks.
  • Keep a log of every activity that occurs within your site.
  • Two-factor authentication is a way to secure your account login page.
  • Automatically update WordPress plugins in order to prevent bugs and security vulnerabilities.

These tools all work together seamlessly to protect both your valuable content and your customers' private information.

Get the most value for your money by using the least amount of

There is no need for a huge budget to make significant improvements on your operations and your store. Begin with the above-mentioned tools for free to boost the customer experience and make your website safer, and enhance the efficiency of your work. As you grow, remember that you must be making enhancements to your process.