Design your way

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Freelancers, entrepreneurs, small business owners and other professionals who have to juggle various projects at the same time often struggle to do so. Project management doesn’t have to be tedious and confusing though.


There are a number of different project management applications out there that can make your life a whole lot easier, regardless of whether you are an entrepreneur, freelancer or a small-business owner.


Some of these project management tools are in this article along with other tools that a designer or developer need, like financial apps, prototyping tools, time management tools, form builders and email marketing apps.


Browse through our list of applications and find one that suits your needs, both in terms of price and features.


Invoicing and financial apps


Nutcache


Nutcache


Nutcache is a powerful free invoicing software that is ideally suited for designers and small business owners. You can add an unlimited number of users and clients to this application, which means that your business can continue to use it no matter how much it expands. Nutcache is great for not just creating and sending invoices, but also for both expense-tracking and time tracking.


One of the biggest advantages of using this software is that it is extremely simple to use, and even people who are not familiar with complicated computer functions should be able to use it without any trouble.


You can use Nutcache in one of more than ten languages. The developers continue to release updates for this app, which ensure that it runs without any trouble. All features in Nutcache are absolutely free to use and there is no trial time.


Apptivo


Apptivo


Apptivo is a useful invoicing system for those working in the field of IT as well as freelancers. This software is extremely functional and easy to use. It enables users to customize and personalize invoices according to their brand.


If you create an invoice through Apptivo, you can include a Paypal or Google Checkout button that your client can follow to pay you through. This powerful app boasts an impressive 45 different features that facilitate project management. If you need any proof that Apptivo is worth downloading, it is used by more than 40,000 individuals and small businesses in more than 40 countries.


Pulse


Pulse


As a small business owner or a freelancer, it is necessary that you are aware of your cash inflows and outflows at any given point in time. If you are dealing with a multitude of different clients at the same time, it is fairly easy to overlook a bill or two.


Instead of costing your business, you can use Pulse to monitor its income and expenditure over any given period of time, as well as project it well into the future. Pulse comes with a scenario manager that helps you understand the financial impact of different business decisions before you make them. Pulse comes with a 30-day free trial.


Wireframing and prototyping tools


Proto.io


Proto


If you are looking for a fast and dynamic prototyping tool, Proto.io might have everything you are looking for. With this app, you can integrate fade, slide, flow and a number of other animated screen features into your program with unprecedented ease.


This program is so easy to use that you can create interactive prototypes with just a few clicks in a matter of minutes. All you need to have is a basic idea of how prototyping tools work. Proto.io keeps up with market trends and is updated regularly, so it offers all the newest features.


PowerMockup


PowerMockup


PowerMockup enables PowerPoint users to use the presentation editor as a wireframing tools. You can present your ideas to your clients using this tool in real-time, which makes it easier to figure out what they are looking for and make modifications.


This means that your clients can get involved in the usability and functionality of their design rather than just its appearances. If you choose to use PowerMockup, you have access to countless icons and stencils to make your work stand out. Users will not struggle to locate specific things in the app thanks to the powerful quick search feature.


Collaboration and project management tools


Comindware Project


Comindware Project


Comindware Project is a dynamic project management software that specializes in facilitating the collaboration of different people for a particular project. This project is essential for any team-based business that provides time-sensitive services.


Although there are various tools out there that allow for collaboration, Comindware Project stands out because of its Automated Priority-based Planning feature which automatically creates project plans and assigns tasks to individual team members. The Predictive Real-time Gantt Chart is a useful way to monitor progress of a particular project, as well as view deadlines and different project milestones. Businesses are free to pick from different packages based on their budget and requirements.


Freedcamp


Freedcamp


Freedcamp provides an effective way to collaborate on projects. Many freelancers who are on a budget but need to work in teams will benefit from this powerful project management app.


Each project comes with its own discussion group, where team members can discuss their progress and any issues they might encounter. Users can also set deadlines for themselves or for each other, share files internally or through Google Drive integration, create invoices and track time internally.


Time management tools


Timecamp


Timecamp


Timecamp can be integrated to countless accounting, project management and CRM apps for time tracking purposes. For those of you who work on hourly projects, Timecamp allows you to forget about the worries of using unreliable software to record just how many hours you work. All you need to do is set up your project on Timecamp and it will automatically synchronize and import all your tasks into the software. It has a clean interface and is extremely easy to use.


Toggl


Toggl


Freelancers who have to manage multiple projects at once should make use of Toggle, a time-tracking program that is lightweight and simple in its appearance. Toggl makes sure that businesses and freelancers do not spend too much time on a project at the expense of another. Best of all, it is cloud-based so you don’t need to worry about losing all your valuable data and logged hours in case a bug gets into your system.


Email marketing


Sendloop


Sendloop


Sendloop is among the most simple email marketing tools available in the market, and there is no reason why an internet marketer should not get his hands on it.


This software is perfect for those internet marketers who don’t have the strongest HTML skills, since it constructs emails through a drop-and-drag builder. In terms of analytics, too, Sendloop stands out since it allows users to track their email metrics in real time. There are also countless widgets to choose from.


Mailigen


Mailigen


Mailigen is one of the most powerful tools out there for creating emails. Although it is not free to use, Mailigen is an essential app for every serious internet marketer.


If you don’t know how to create a perfect-looking email, you can use one of many professionally designed templates that come with this software. You can also take advantage of detailed analysis regarding your email campaigns. Mailgen can be integrated into hundreds of CRMS.


Form builders


Typeform


Typeform


Typeform provides just the kind of flexibility that other form builder software lack. It enables users to create various different kinds of forms including event announcements, landing pages, brochures, surveys and recruiting forms.


Not only do you have the option to choose from a number of different design templates, but you can also create your own form from scratch. Users of Typeform don’t need to worry about readability since the software will make sure that it works on all kinds of devices.


iFormBuilder


iFormBuilder


If you want to collect data on your mobile phone, iFormBuilder is the most versatile option out there. iFormBuilder is a cloud-based data collection software that is frequently used by universities, NGOs and companies to create robust forms. One of the biggest plusses of using iFormBuilder is that it is a secure way of collecting data from mobile phones.


File sharing


WeTransfer


WeTransfer


WeTransfer is a fantastic, easy-to-use file transfer service that enables users to transfer as much as 2GB at a time. All you need to do is add files to WeTransfer and enter the email address of the intended recipient, and the software will do the rest. If you want to transfer larger files or more data at a time, you can always upgrade to WeTransfer’s Plus account for a small fee.


CloudApp


CloudApp


CloudApp is the easiest way to share screenshots, documents, audio, code snippets, zip archives, bookmarks and other small files. It is equipped with a useful drag-and-drop box so you don’t have to find each file you want to transfer in a dialogue box. You can even share a partial screenshot with just a few simple clicks.


Conclusion


The right tools can completely transform the way a business functions. You should browse through the list of project management apps in the list above and see which ones suit your business, and get a hold of them.


Before you know it, your mind and workspace both will feel less cluttered and overwhelmed, and you can finally say goodbye to missed deadlines, incorrect invoices and lost files. In doing so, your reputation will flourish, and along with it, your business.








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