When you’re just getting started in self-employment, the last thing you want is to spend loads of money on tools you don’t really need. Luckily, there are so many free or low-cost apps and platforms that can help you look professional, stay organised, and even make money — without the overwhelm.
Here’s a curated list of tools we actually recommend to carers starting out gently.
Organisation & Admin
Google Workspace (Free with Gmail)
Use Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive to keep everything organised in one place.
Ideal for notes, to-do lists, business plans, and keeping things backed up.
Trello (Free)
A visual task board that helps you break things down into bite-sized steps.
Perfect if you like sticky notes or checklists!
C lendly (Free for 1 event type)
Let others book into your calendar easily without back-and-forth emails.
Selling & Payments
Payhip (Free plan available)
Great for selling digital downloads, coaching sessions or memberships. Easy setup.
SumUp or Square (Low-cost card readers)
Useful for in-person sales like markets or pop-ups.
Pandle (Free bookkeeping software)
Beginner-friendly accounting software to track income and expenses. Works with some UK banks.
Branding & Design
Canva (Free + Pro option)
Create logos, social media graphics, flyers and more with easy-to-use templates.
Looka or Namechk (Free tools)
Check if your business name is available as a domain and on social media.
Social Media & Marketing
Meta Business Suite (Free)
Manage and schedule Facebook and Instagram posts all in one place.
MailerLite (Free for up to 1,000 subscribers)
Send out email newsletters or offer a freebie to grow your list.
Communication & Meetings
💬 Zoom (Free basic plan)
Host up to 40-minute video calls for 1:1s or accountability check-ins.
WhatsApp Business
Create a professional profile, auto replies, and customer labels while keeping it simple.
Just Getting Started? Use What You Know
You don’t need all of these — pick one or two that feel useful and manageable.
You can grow later, as your confidence and business grow with you.
Starting small is not just okay — it’s smart.