Resources, tool and useful links for small businesses
These are tools and resources that I use myself or can highly recommend, that friends use. I don’t share anything that I don’t think has real value. These are resources for small businesses, creatives and makers. I include as many Canadian specific ones as I can.
Some of these are affiliate links, which means I may get a small bonus if you purchase from them, but it’s at no additional cost to you. You don’t have to use an affiliate link, but if you do, thank you very much. They’ll be marked with **.
Bookkeeping and Legal Contracts
Wave
An easy to use invoicing and bookkeeping app with free and paid options, for US and Canada.
Zoho Books
A more fully featured invoicing and bookkeeping app than Wave, with more reporting options with a free and paid version.
The ContractsMarket
Source for Canadian and US legal contract templates and template bundles. **
Financial Services
Coast Capital Credit Union
A Canada wide credit union - they have a free business savings account or personal chequing accounts.
EQ Bank
Provides free business and personal bank accounts for Canadians (except Quebec).
Wise
Lets you send and receive money in various currencies as well as providing a debit card for travel with lower fees. **
Insurance and Funding
Zensurince
Provides inexpensive commercial business insurance for Canadians.
Government of Canada
Use the grant and loan finder to see business funding opportunities.
Professional Organizations
Canada Council For The Arts
You can find links here for your provincial Craft Council as well as other resources.
Canadian Crafts Federation
Provides public funding for Canadian artists and arts organizations.
Operations and Admin Resources
Kitchen
Client portal - organize resources, files, and communication in one spot with a calendar to keep on track. Free or lifetime license.**
Encharge
Provides a powerful email marketing platform. Alternative to Kit or Flodesk. Keep an eye out on
AppSumo for lifetime deals. **
Zoho Meeting
A free/low cost alternative to Zoom and other virtual meeting software.
Data and Automations
Airtable
Robust databases to store your data and automate the systems your business needs to run efficiently. Free and paid options. **
Make
More robust than Zapier, allows you to set up automations between your software so you do less manual work. Free and paid options. **
Cap
A low cost alternative to Loom and other desktop recording software. Videos can be stored locally or online. Get 20% off your first year. **
Website Tools
Fathom Analytics
An easier to use, paid alternative to Google Analytics that is privacy focused. Get $10 off your first month. **
Termageddon
Automatically keep your legally required website policies up to date, as new laws role out. Get 10% off your first year. Use code REED**
SEOSpace
A Squarespace specific SEO and analytics tool (Chrome plugin) that helps optimise your website to get found more easily by Google. **
Squarespace Plugins
Will Myers
Squarespace plugins to increase your design options on your site, plus a membership to learn more about coding in Squarespace. **
Chris Schwartz-Edmisten
Plugins for your Squarespace website so you can customise your site, in particular for e-commerce. **