Most Useful Digital Tools for Professionals in 2020

There have been so many incredible advancements in professional technology, professionals in every industry and specialization are faced with a variety of digital solutions to help address their challenges. From networking to marketing strategy, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to ways professionals can improve their day-to-day and be more effective in their work.

With so many opportunities and tools to explore, it can be difficult to know where to start, but by starting your most immediate goals and pain points and learning more about your digital options, you’ll be in a better position to take advantage of digital trends and use these tools to help get the job done!

Web Analytics

It would be difficult to fully explore the topic of digital tools that are making an impact in 2020 without discussing the role of search engine optimization (SEO) tools and the affordable options that are out there for professionals of all kinds. Having insights into how your offering is performing online is crucial for any professional with a web presence. Google Analytics and Google Adwords are tools that are widely used to measure website performance and optimize websites based on user data and the tools are free to use, making them compelling options for professionals interested in learning how to market themselves this year.

Pro Tip: Google and other makers of digital tools provide certification courses for various tools and skills which can be a helpful way to demonstrate your knowledge in 2020.

Automated Tools

Storing and Sharing Data

Companies creating sleeker and faster data sharing platforms have been making big strides in recent years, and now there are at least a handful of cloud-sharing options when it comes to simplifying your file sharing and data management which is huge for any ambitious professional in 2020.

Not only are Google Drive and Dropbox commonly used programs for professionals that allow for quick and easy storing and sharing of information, but applications such as Zapier allow you to easily integrate calendars, email inboxes and files being shared so that you’re that much faster at receiving, updating and sending information. When it comes to data storage and file sharing, the sky’s the limit and cloud storage is waiting.

Preventative Measures

Part of the reason that automated tools are so effective at helping professionals save time and money is that they prevent the chance of human error from being a factor in repetitive tasks and critical data management. Some software tools even provide notifications when a mistake or an error has occurred during your process so that you can correct immediately without anything slipping through the cracks. Automated software can make a complex process like tax reporting or intensive data management simple by tagging errors with notifications.

Other common automation tools that can help prevent errors and save you and your colleagues tons of time are writing resources like Grammarly, which will also point out errors by highlighting small mistakes in your writing from grammar to spelling, decreasing the time you usually spend editing and revising.

Pro Tip: By examining parts of your processes that take the most time or require the most repetitive manual steps, you might be able to better identify areas where you can implement automated tools to your advantage.

Streamlined Marketing Campaigns

Part of what makes automated tools so powerful is their variety of applications from outreach to relationship management, there’s an automated tool for that. Your marketing campaigns can reap these benefits if you’re able to take the time to identify where automation will make the most difference and then implement the new software.

Many professionals in different industries are taking advantage of CRM software that provides instant updates on client information, automatic email outreach, and fast data management so that we can all stay on top of our client information more effectively. Hubspot and Active Campaign are a couple of all-in-one marketing tools that cover most bases in terms of automated marketing capabilities, while tools like Hootsuite are geared toward social media management which may also help.

Design and Content Creation

If you don’t already have a web presence, then 2020 is your year to get online and promote yourself. There are a wide number of helpful web design tools that can be used by even the most novice web designer and by taking steps toward an engaging online presence, you’ll be in a better position to succeed this year. Web design doesn’t need to be too involved when you’re using tools, like Wix, Squarespace and WordPress that allow for simple drag and drop. Take Hausera’s website with a niche offering as an example of a site designed simply with one of these tools. You can use similar tools to create pages with relevant copy, intriguing pictures and a call to action.

Content creation is still going to be a key part of how professionals connect with their target audience and relate to them in a way that convinces others to want to collaborate. A highly accessible way for you to establish yourself as a thought leader on a topic is to create a blog that offers helpful information and gets your name out there. Exploring different web design sites with blogging features such as WordPress and Wix can help you decide how you’re going to present your content in 2020 and what tools will best lend themselves to your creations.

Final Thoughts

With so many different options already available, and more interesting tools being developed every day, trying to pinpoint any particular tool that can help make your job easier and more enjoyable can seem like a laborious project, but by taking a look at your most critical duties and searching from there, you’re likely to find a digital tool aimed at addressing your issue, or even a few that help in different ways. We live in a time where it takes you minutes to download a solution that could save you hundreds of hours and plenty of money, so keep an out for the digital tool that will help you succeed this year.