Automation Tools for SMEs
Curated tools to help you automate your business. From workflow automation to AI assistants, find the right tools for your needs.
⚡Workflow Automation
Zapier
Visit →Connect your apps and automate workflows. The most popular automation platform with 5,000+ app integrations.
Make (Integromat)
Visit →Visual automation platform with more complex workflow capabilities. Great for advanced automations.
Power Automate
Visit →Microsoft's automation tool. Excellent if you're already using Microsoft 365.
n8n
Visit →Open-source workflow automation. Self-host for free or use their cloud version.
👥CRM & Sales
HubSpot CRM
Visit →Full-featured CRM with marketing, sales, and service tools. Generous free tier.
Pipedrive
Visit →Sales-focused CRM with visual pipeline management. Simple and effective.
Zoho CRM
Visit →Affordable CRM with extensive features. Part of the larger Zoho ecosystem.
💷Invoicing & Accounting
Xero
Visit →Cloud accounting software popular with UK businesses. Excellent bank feeds and integrations.
QuickBooks
Visit →Well-established accounting software with strong reporting features.
FreshBooks
Visit →Simple invoicing and accounting. Great for freelancers and service businesses.
📅Scheduling & Booking
Calendly
Visit →The most popular scheduling tool. Let clients book time with you without the back-and-forth.
Cal.com
Visit →Open-source Calendly alternative. Self-host for free or use their cloud.
Acuity Scheduling
Visit →Feature-rich scheduling with payments, forms, and packages. Owned by Squarespace.
💬Customer Communication
Intercom
Visit →Customer messaging platform with chat, bots, and help desk features.
Tidio
Visit →Live chat and chatbot platform. Easy to set up with good free plan.
Crisp
Visit →All-in-one customer messaging. Chat, email, and knowledge base.
📋Project Management
Monday.com
Visit →Visual project management with automations. Very flexible for different workflows.
Asana
Visit →Task and project management with multiple views. Strong for team collaboration.
ClickUp
Visit →All-in-one productivity platform. Docs, tasks, goals, and more.
Trello
Visit →Simple Kanban boards. Easy to learn, great for visual task management.
🔧Field Service & Trades
ServiceM8
Visit →Job management for trade and service businesses. Scheduling, quoting, invoicing.
Jobber
Visit →Field service management with CRM, scheduling, and invoicing.
Tradify
Visit →Built specifically for trade businesses. Job management made simple.
🤖AI Assistants
ChatGPT
Visit →OpenAI's conversational AI. Great for writing, research, and problem-solving.
Claude
Visit →Anthropic's AI assistant. Excellent for long documents and nuanced tasks.
Gemini
Visit →Google's AI. Integrates well with Google Workspace.
Perplexity
Visit →AI-powered search engine. Great for research with cited sources.
🎨Image Generation
Midjourney
Visit →High-quality AI image generation. Best for artistic and creative images.
DALL-E (ChatGPT)
Visit →OpenAI's image generator. Accessible through ChatGPT Plus.
Canva AI
Visit →AI features built into Canva. Magic Design, text-to-image, and more.
Adobe Firefly
Visit →Adobe's AI image tools. Integrates with Creative Cloud apps.
📧Email Marketing
Mailchimp
Visit →Popular email marketing platform. Good for beginners with automation features.
ConvertKit
Visit →Email marketing for creators. Visual automation builder.
Brevo (Sendinblue)
Visit →Email, SMS, and CRM. Good value for transactional emails.
📄Document & Knowledge
Notion
Visit →All-in-one workspace. Docs, databases, wikis, and project management.
Google Workspace
Visit →Email, docs, drive, and collaboration. The business standard.
Dropbox
Visit →File storage and sharing with good collaboration features.
Need help choosing or implementing these tools?
Our directory of automation consultants can help you pick the right tools and get them set up properly. Don't waste time on trial and error.