Working remotely is becoming a common thing, and with the lack of face-to-face team communication, it might be challenging to get more things done because no one can directly help you.
In this article, I’ll provide twelve productivity tools that can help solve the issue and get more things done in the process.
Let’s get started.
1. 10to8
With remote working, it has become challenging to stay in touch with your colleagues. 10to8 aims to solve this problem by enabling teams to create virtual staff meetings and online client appointments.
10to8 ensures that double-bookings don’t happen by having two-way calendar sync and sets automated reminders when meetings are due. It’s a freemium tool where you can get the basic features for free, and if you want to get customization options, their monthly plan starts from $9.6 and goes up to $40.
2. Online Blog
One of the ways to enhance your skills is by creating an online blog. Here not only will you need to make regular informative and valuable content, but you’ll also need to come up with a unique design to attract people. To start, you’ll need web hosting and a domain.
This is an excellent way to challenge yourself regularly and see how much you’ve improved from your previous blog posts.
3. Basecamp
Basecamp is a project management and team collaboration tool that helps you communicate with clients and manage projects effectively.
Basecamp has plenty of features for organizing conversations, sharing ideas, and ensuring everyone are on the same page on the project.
This is a freemium tool where you can get limited features for free, and if you want to unlock the tool’s full functionality, their plans cost $99 per month.
4. Slack
Slack is a professional chat client that many companies use. It allows teammates to share ideas and comments on different channels.
Slack can be integrated with hundreds of apps, allowing for better functionality for work. Slack is also available on mobile devices. Thus you can communicate from anywhere.
It’s a freemium tool where you can get the basic functionality for free. If you want to unlock new features, their plan starts at $6.67 per month up to an undisclosed amount. You’ll need to contact the Slack team for further details.
5. Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud storage platform that allows you to keep all your files in a secure and centralized place. You can easily share documents, slides, and spreadsheets by providing a direct link to them.
The files stored in Google Drive can be synced across multiple devices. Thus, you can access them from anywhere.
It’s a freemium tool where the basic free plan is usually enough for a majority of people. If you want to opt for the business plan, it starts at $8 per month.
6. Zoom
Zoom is a group calling tool that allows you to host team meetings and webinars with ease. It will enable screen sharing, which means you can show other people what you’re presenting. Zoom also allows invitation-only meetings, so only the ones invited can enter the meeting.
Zoom is a freemium tool where the basic features are free. However, I highly recommend you to choose one of their paid plans because of its many features. It starts at $149.90 per year and goes up to a whopping $69,000 a year, depending on your needs.
7. CallHippo
CallHippo is a virtual phone system designed to help teammates and clients stay in touch with each other. It has various features, including detailed call reporting, contact management, auto-dialing, and predictive dialing.
CallHippo is a premium tool. If you want to use its services, you’ll need to opt for their plans which start at $14 per month and up to $35 monthly.
8. Skitch by Evernote
Evernote’s Skitch is a document management tool where you can use illustrations such as arrows and circles to highlight specific points in a written notepad. This way, whoever got the note knows which are the highlighted points.
Skitch by Evernote is a freemium tool where you can get the basic features for free. If you want to add more storage and remove upload limits, you can opt for their plans which start at $5.98 per month up to $17 per month.
9. Chimp or Champ
Chimp or Champ is a remote feedback tool that provides an easy way for managers to connect with their team. It helps provide weekly anonymous actionable feedback from the rest of the group. Managers will then receive a pulse report and help you analyze any issues.
Chimp or Champ is a premium tool that starts at $1 per person per month and goes up to $3 per person per month.
10. TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a remote access and support tool. It allows you to access other’s computers remotely, provided they also have the device installed. This is especially useful if you want to show someone how to get something done when troubleshooting and screen sharing can’t solve the issue.
TeamViewer is a freemium tool where you can download for free but for private purposes only. If you want to get it for commercial use, their paid plan starts at $53.90 per month and up to $199.90 per month.
11. Time Doctor
Time Doctor is a time management tool that helps keep track of your team’s check-ins, breaks, and check-out times. It provides reports on how long someone spends on a task and gives reminders and alerts to stop people from wasting time.
Time Doctor is a premium tool where you can get a 14-day free trial. Their paid plan starts at $7 per month and up to $20 per month.
12. iDoneThis
iDoneThis is an accountability and reporting tool where managers can keep track of the team members’ performance. The team members will check in daily and can add their reports about their day. This eliminates the need to conduct daily meetings.
iDoneThis is a premium tool that has a three-day free trial. Their paid plans start from $9 per month and go up to $35 per month.
Conclusion
Now you know the twelve productivity tools to help you get more done working remotely. All that’s left for you to do is start downloading the apps and use them.
Good luck!
