5 Digital Tools to Save You Time

Whether you're helping a large team to stay on task, keeping your brand's social media up to date or simply making sure you're in the right place at the right time, sometimes it feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. That’s why we’ve rounded up our top five apps and websites that will help you to remain in control.

​Dropbox 
Similar to Dr Who, Dropbox saves time and space on a daily basis. Once allocated storage space in their secure cloud, you can access documents at any time on any device that's connected to the Internet. Backing up files onto the website is very swift and no-nonsense, meaning goodbye to clunky memory sticks and fears of computer meltdowns. On top of that, Dropbox is excellent for collaboration, as you can instantly share files and photos with colleagues at the click of a button. Sign up today and get 2GB of data storage absolutely free, and for larger projects and teams, membership starts from £6.58 per month. It can even be linked up to your phone, ensuring that all those precious selfies are kept safe.

Slack
With Slack’s mantra of ‘Be less busy’, it would be silly not to include it in this list. Put simply, Slack is a communication tool for your team; you can chat and share files instantly, removing the need for dozens of emails or messy Facebook messages. Also, if you work in a large building or remotely, it’s perfect for when you need to contact someone but don’t have their details to hand – with user profiles easily accessible via the team directory, you can quickly find the individual you need. Slack offers a free subscription with limited features, or you can upgrade from just £5.10 a month.

Google Calendar 
Time management plays a key role when it comes to productivity and that’s why Google Calendar made our top five. With the ability to access the application across all devices, from computer to phone and tablet, it’s hard not to stay on track with this simple and efficient e-calendar. Being integrated into multiple devices means that you will no longer have to worry about leaving your diary at home. Meanwhile, get organised by setting up notifications for important events and share your schedule with other members of your team. The best bit? Google Calendar is free for anyone with a Google account.

Trello
If you’re working as part of a team on a project, or even just want to organise your own tasks, Trello is a great digital tool for visualising your progress. Acting like a virtual pin board, the site lets you create and manage notecards and lists to get everyone on the same page. Updating in real time, anyone with authorisation can see exactly who’s doing what, removing those awful headaches caused by poor communication and expired information. We also recommend syncing the app across all of your devices so that you stay in control on the go. Trello is completely free too, so what have you got to lose?

Hootsuite 
As we’ve covered previously, social media must be consistent to stay effective, especially on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. However, for many, updating regularly just isn’t an option alongside the other responsibilities that come with running a business. If you rarely have the time to post, scheduling tools such as Hootsuite could be what you’re after. Sign up for free to get control of three social profiles, complete with insightful analytics. Got more than three accounts? Upgrade to Pro and Business from just £7.80 a month. Alternatively, if you need social media experts to manage your activity for you, get in touch with The Penguins.

Do you use any digital tools that you would add to this list? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter, or by commenting below.