The widespread adoption of remote work models have impacted the workplace, working from home is no longer a lifestyle choice or a business decision. Freelancers are equipping themselves with tools that facilitate better time and invoice management, work organization, effective communication and efficient file sharing. These tools can streamline productivity for freelance businesses.
Firstly, remote workers can use a range of communication options such as Slack, Zoom and Microsoft. These tools help facilitate video conferencing with remote teams and clients. They are great for project teams that embrace the hybrid work model. Secondly, Google Calendar, Calendly and Toggl are useful time management tools, essential for product managers, project managers, business analysts and engineering managers. These help freelancers measure personal productivity and aid in decision-making for time and work allocation across a remote team. Thirdly, cloud storage drives such as Dropbox and Google Drive can help freelancers, especially UI/UX designers, web designers, mobile app designers and product designers to save their work online with backup. In addition, these productivity tools enable easy document sharing between freelancers and clients. Apart from these, there are project management tools like Trello, TickTick, Asana and Monday.com which aid in the collaboration of software engineers such as back end developers, full-stack developers, blockchain developers, AI developers, web developers, PHP developers, C# developers, C++ developers, Python developers and React developers. These tools are essential for any IT team with specialised freelance programmers in Node.js, Django, and Ruby on Rails, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence for tasks and sprint planning to better track project timelines and milestones. Lastly, Bonsai and Freshbooks are invoicing software tools that help freelancers with expense tracking and receiving payments.
Today, most freelance platforms such as Upwork, Toptal, Works and Fiverr, where you can find freelance jobs, have built-in tools which you can use. Hence, you will not need to invest in additional tools if you are working on these freelance platforms.
Different tools cost differently therefore, it is essential to review the various subscription plans available. The most essential tools are the communication tools that enable effective communication for remote work. Other factors to take into consideration when selecting productivity tools are integration, ease of use, pain point, and compatibility. For instance, tools that sync up with other apps, easier app navigation and fit users’ requirements help to boost productivity.