Easy to Implement Automation Ideas for Small Businesses and Not for Profits

10 Free Automation Ideas for Small Businesses that take 10 minutes or less.

Small businesses and not-for-profit organisations often face resource constraints, such as limited budgets, staff, and time. However, small business automation can help them streamline their operations, save time, and reduce costs. In this article, we will explore easy-to-implement automation ideas that can help small businesses and not-for-profit organisations do more with less, using free tools.

Automation Ideas

#1. Schedule social media posts: Use a free tool like Buffer or Simplified to schedule your social media posts in advance. This will save you time and ensure that your social media accounts are active and engaging even when you’re not actively posting.

#2. Set up email filters: Organise your inbox and save time by setting up filters that automatically sort your emails into folders based on keywords or sender. This way, you can focus on the most important emails first and respond to them quickly. Check out this handy guide on Gmail email filters to get an idea of what you can do.

#3. Use email templates: Create templates for commonly used emails, such as thank-you notes, follow-up emails, and appointment reminders. This way, you can save time by not having to type out the same email repeatedly. Check out this blog on how to save time with email templates for inspiration.

#4. Use automated online appointment scheduling: Use an online appointment scheduling tool, Calendly has a free plan. These tools sync with your calendar and offer free times that people with your link can book in. This way, you don’t have to spend time going back and forth with emails trying to find a time that works for everyone.

#5. Use text expansion software: Use a free text expansion tool, such as Blaze Text (for Google Chrome), to save time typing commonly used phrases. For example, you could set up a shortcut so that typing “tyvm” expands to “thank you very much.”

#6. Use email reminders: Use a free service like FollowUpThen to set up email reminders for yourself. You simply send your email to a specific address and it’ll automatically remind you of the email in a set amount of days.

#7. Use keyboard shortcuts: Use keyboard shortcuts to save time when using your computer. The article has a few cool ideas of keyboard shortcuts that can save you time.

#8. Use email unsubscribe tools: Use free email unsubscribe tools, such as Unroll.Me (be mindful of how they use your data) to quickly unsubscribe from unwanted email newsletters or promotions. This can help you reduce clutter in your inbox and save time.

#9. Use a website blocker: Use a free website blocker, such as StayFocusd, to block distracting websites or social media during work hours. This can help you stay focused and avoid procrastination.

#10 .Use an email scheduler: Use the email scheduling functionality in your email client – see this help article for Gmail and Outlook,  to schedule emails to be sent at a later time or date. This can help you save time and ensure that your emails are sent at the most appropriate time.

For more free tools, check out our Free Tools Series.

Small businesses and not-for-profit organisations can benefit from automation, especially when faced with limited resources. By implementing these easy-to-implement automation ideas with free tools, they can streamline their operations, save time, and reduce costs, allowing them to focus on growing their business or organisation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: How can these automation ideas be customised for specific industries or business types?

Answer: Customising automation ideas for specific industries or business types involves understanding the unique workflows and challenges of each sector. For example, a retail business might focus on automating inventory management and customer communication, while a service-based business might prioritise automating appointment scheduling and invoicing. By tailoring automation strategies to match the specific needs of the industry, businesses can maximise efficiency and effectiveness.

Question: Are there any limitations or drawbacks to using the free tools mentioned for automation?

Answer: While free automation tools offer cost-effective solutions for small businesses, they usually come with limitations. For instance, the free tools listed here have restrictions on the number of users, features, or integrations available. Additionally, free tools may lack the level of customer support or customisation options available in paid versions. It’s important for businesses to carefully evaluate the features and limitations of each tool to ensure it meets their automation needs. A good starting point is our Small Business Automation Tools page which has lots of free resources to help you get started.

Question: How can businesses measure the effectiveness or ROI of implementing these automation ideas?

Answer: Measuring the effectiveness of automation initiatives involves tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to efficiency, productivity, and cost savings. For example, businesses can track the time saved through automation, the reduction in manual errors, and the increase in customer satisfaction. By regularly monitoring these metrics, businesses can assess the impact of automation on their operations and make informed decisions about future automation investments.