Top 10 Digital Tools For Every Small Business Owner

The days of managing a business solely by hand, with ledgers, notebooks, word-of-mouth marketing, and handwritten invoices, are long gone, By 2025, you can use digital tools from your laptop or smartphone to market your goods, cut down on mistakes, save time, and even collect payments.

Whether you are an online seller in Accra, a food vendor in Tamale, a fashion designer in Kumasi, or the owner of a small shop anywhere, there are effective tools, many of which are free that can make your job easier and help your business expand.

Ten essential digital tools that every Ghanaian small business owner should be using immediately are covered in this article.

1. Canva – For Design & Branding

Canva is a free graphic design tool that helps you create professional posters, business cards, flyers, logos, and social media content — no design experience needed.

Why You Need It:

• Create flyers for Facebook or WhatsApp status

• Design your own logo or product labels

• Impress customers with better branding

Link: www.canva.com

Bonus: Use the mobile app for designing on the go.

2. Google Forms – For Customer Feedback or Orders

Google Forms lets you collect information from customers in a neat, professional format.

Use Cases:

• Create an online order form for your products

• Conduct quick surveys to understand your customers

• Get registration details for training programs

Free to use with a Gmail account.

3. Meta Business Suite – Manage Facebook & Instagram Together

Many Ghanaian small businesses sell on Facebook and Instagram. With Meta Business Suite, you can schedule posts, respond to messages, and track your performance.

Features:

• Post to both Facebook and Instagram from one place

• View customer engagement

• Respond to comments/inbox quickly

Access it at: business.facebook.com

4. WhatsApp Business – For Customer Communication

If you’re still using regular WhatsApp, it’s time to upgrade to WhatsApp Business — it’s free and designed for entrepreneurs.

Key Features:

• Automated greetings and away messages

• Business profile (location, hours, catalog)

• Labels to organize chats (e.g., New Order, Paid, Pending)

Download on Google Play or Apple Store

5. Trello – Simple Project Management

Trello helps you organize your work visually. It’s ideal if you handle multiple projects or work with a team.

Who Should Use It:

• Fashion designers managing customer orders

• Content creators scheduling posts

• Small event planners organizing tasks

Create boards, add to-do lists, and assign due dates. It’s free and easy to use.

6. Xero or Wave – For Simple Accounting

You don’t need to be an accountant to manage your money. Xero (paid) and Wave (free) are accounting apps that help you:

• Send professional invoices

• Record expenses and sales

• Track profit and loss

Wave is free and perfect for solo entrepreneurs or side hustles.

7. Mobile Money & QR Code Payments

If you’re running a small business in Ghana, mobile money is non-negotiable. But beyond basic momo, take advantage of:

• MTN MoMoPay

• Vodafone Cash QR

• Hubtel’s QR & online store features

These tools let you collect payments faster, reduce cash handling, and serve more customers — even if you don’t have a shop.

8. Google Sheets – Inventory & Expense Tracking

Google Sheets is like Excel, but free and cloud-based. Use it to:

• Track daily sales

• Record stock/inventory

• Monitor expenses and income

You can access it on your phone and even share it with your business partner.

Pro Tip: Look for free Google Sheet templates for business management.

9. Zoom – For Virtual Meetings or Coaching

Do you sell training, offer consulting, or run team meetings? Zoom lets you connect with anyone, anywhere.

Use Cases:

• Coaching or tutoring students

• Training staff remotely

• Meeting with partners or investors

You can host 40-minute free meetings with up to 100 participants.

10. Paystack – Accept Card Payments Online

Paystack is a payment gateway that lets you create online checkout links and accept payments from cards, bank transfer, and mobile money.

Great for:

• Online sellers

• Freelancers

• Digital product creators

Bonus: You don’t need a website — just create a payment link.

Visit: www.paystack.com

Bonus: Tools Based in Ghana to Try

Real-Life Example:

Kwame, a university graduate, runs a food delivery service in Accra. He uses:

• WhatsApp Business for taking orders

• Canva to design weekly menus

• Meta Business Suite to schedule posts

• Paystack for payments

• Google Sheets for tracking orders

Now, with zero employees, he handles over ₵3,000 in sales monthly, all from digital tools.

Tools to Start With Today

Grow Smart in 2025

In today’s digital economy, your business can be small but smart. With just a smartphone, internet connection, and the right tools, you can:

• Reach more customers

• Manage your time better

• Keep better records

• Look more professional

Start with 2 or 3 tools, master them, and scale from there. Your competitors are already going digital — don’t be left behind.