Writtten by Courtney Rosenfeld

Thanks to modern technology, it has never been easier to become your own boss. Tech has given everyone the tools to start their own company, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is taking equal advantage of it. Whether you’re looking to increase sales or just want to improve your daily workflow, here are the best gadgets, apps, and services to take your tech game to the next level.

New Smartphone

As a solopreneur, chances are your smartphone is one of your most important business tools. You need it to stay in touch with clients, update social media, stay on top of emails, and more.

For this reason, it’s well worth investing in a top-of-the-line model that won’t let you down. If you’re an Apple devotee, look into the new iPhone 11 Pro Max for its long battery life and  triple-camera system with low light features. For non-Apple fans, the Samsung Galaxy Note10 has an exceptional display, a great battery, and top-notch pen functionality.

Freelance Platforms

Freelancers have always been around, but digital platforms have made it easier than ever to find and hire them. Freelance support for accounting, copywriting, design, coding, data entry, and so much more is just a few clicks away: All you have to do is write what you need and wait for the bids to roll in. For access to a wider pool of high-quality content, turn to job boards that list candidates for remote work. 

Invoicing Software

If you’re still processing your invoices and taxes manually, you’re wasting a huge amount of time. Solopreneurs have several options for affordable, powerful invoicing programs that automate the boring finance stuff and make getting their money on time a cinch. Try Anchor for a basic, completely free solution, or go for something like HubStaff if you need more functionality.

Better Sound

Not everyone can afford a private office, and working in noisy environments like cafes and coworking spaces is the norm for many solopreneurs. Make sure you can actually focus on your work by investing in a high-quality set of noise-canceling headphones. According to CNET, the best overall model out there is Sony’s WH-1000XM3, but the Live 650BTNC by JBL and Sennheiser HD 4.50 offer the best value.

Beautiful Proposals

Every solopreneur knows the constant hustle of business development. Prospero is a handy service that can make your proposals stand out by generating beautiful, professional-looking documents from a wide range of templates. What’s more, their content generation tools mean you can make proposals a lot faster, saving you precious time. You can get a 21-day trial for just $1.

Power Booster

If you rely on the internet to work, chances are you have at some point found yourself in a cafe, desperately looking for available plug points as your laptop gets dangerously close to powering down. Do yourself a favor and invest in a portable power bank. According to Creative Bloq, the main criteria you need to consider when choosing a power bank are battery capacity, number of charging points, weight, and compatibility.

Stress Buster

The mental health implications of entrepreneurship are only now starting to be fully investigated. The stress of managing your own work, financial instability, and social isolation can all take their toll, so it is essential that you make room for self-care.

Meditation is a great tool for entrepreneurs, improving cognition, sleep, energy, and overall wellbeing. Download a meditation app on your phone and commit to a regular practice to boost both your work and your mental health.

Depending on where you are at with your business, you may not have the budget for some of the flashier bits of tech on this list. However, there is a huge number of free or very affordable services and products out there that pretty much anyone can afford. Think of these upgrades as investments: Spend a bit of money to get more productivity and satisfaction from your work.

Photo via Pexels.