I’m always amazed at the number of incredibly helpful digital tools and resources we have available at our fingertips. I recently asked the Willow team to share some of their favorite digital tools that they use on a regular basis and I learned about tons of new resources to add to my toolbox.
I’m hoping you find this list helpful, too! Make sure you read all the way to the end because my very favorite, game-changing resource is at the bottom!
UCALC
https://ucalc.pro/en
This handy dandy application helped me (the non-website programmer me!) develop a digital calculator that we could place on our website as a helpful resource to our clients. I used this tool on a landing page to help aid clients in calculating the value of a lead. Using this calculator tool, I could set up the formulas, style it to fit our brand, copy the code and install it on our site. And it’s free with the basic settings!
Check out the calculator in action, and while you’re at it, calculate the average value of a lead for your organization!
Screencastify
This Chrome extension allows you to easily record high definition videos from your desktop, browser tab or webcam capture. You can also narrate with your microphone’s audio and edit the video. Perfect for sending off a quick instructional video to a client or even for user experience testing of a site.
Manuals Lib
www.manualslib.com
Can’t find the manual to your old Hoover vacuum? I found it for you. And a bunch of others! Over 2.8 million of them!
Free Conference Call
www.freeconferencecall.com
It’s free! How do they do that? Need I say more?
Voicera
www.voicera.com
Invite Eva to your next teleconference and let her record the call for you and then transcribe the call and send you a manuscript along with a recording of the meeting! Or download the app and do the same from your phone! It’s the perfect way to capture a presentation or just those random ideas on the drive home.
Hunter
https://hunter.io/chrome
A terrific Chrome extension that will help you to discover the email addresses associated with a webpage/domain. A great resource for anyone interested in networking or in sales!
Google Data Studio
https://datastudio.google.com/
I love this tool as it helps report and pull data from multiple sources to help tell stories. It’s still in beta testing but it’s been huge in helping us to create custom designed reports that can be easily shared! I’m able to use this to pull in data from all kinds of sources – Google Analytics, AdWords, Merchandise Sales, etc.
Panda Chrome Extension
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/panda-5-news-inspiration/haafibkemckmbknhfkiiniobjpgkebko?hl=en
This Chrome extension compiles feeds from top outlets/websites of graphic design, photography, UI/UX design, news, tips, trends, anything you want, and replaces your boring new tab page to give you a quick way to stay inspired and up-to-date. There are also member perks if you decide to sign-up for the full-service version, but the free version is more than enough to be a great tool to add to your browser.
Google Tag Assistant
https://get.google.com/tagassistant/
This is another great chrome extension that allows you to check web pages for Google Analytics tracking code, Event Tracking triggers, and other useful information that can help assess the functionality of a webpage. We use this a lot to double check our Event Tracking installations and during our digital audit process.
The Great Suspender Chrome Extension
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/the-great-suspender/klbibkeccnjlkjkiokjodocebajanakg?hl=en
Who’s guilty of having WAY too many browsers and tabs open at once?! Me!
I love this extension because it keeps your computer moving even when using multiple windows and tabs of Google Chrome (which can eat up RAM if you aren’t careful). It suspends a tab if it has been inactive for more than 30 minutes so that your computer doesn’t spend time keeping the page live.
Grammarly
https://www.grammarly.com/
This is my favorite tool. Although, it’s not the Bible. You still have to use a little bit of 6th grade English to determine whether or not a comma is necessary, sometimes it gets it wrong, but overall it’s a better proofer than just basic spellcheck.
Canva
https://www.canva.com/
Canva is a great tool for anyone who doesn’t have the design skills to use the Adobe Creative Suite but has a need for something that looks good and can be customized in a hurry. Perfect for quick social graphics or an internal event invite that you want to impress the creative team with!
Google Alerts
https://www.google.com/alerts
I have at least three Google Alerts set up for each of our clients. It helps me make sure I’m on top of their mentions online (as well as their competitors). It’s also a great way for me to discover new media contacts and outlets we can add to distribution lists for media relations efforts.
TeamGantt
https://www.teamgantt.com/
This free online Gantt chart software can be used to manage projects, and if a deadline is missed, it can automatically shift the task back to accommodate the change. Shareable, editable and can add specific tasks for individuals.
Toggl
https://toggl.com/app/timer
If you’re trying to keep track of what you do on a daily basis, down to the minute, then you need this! This tool is my go-to for recording how long I work on a particular task or project.
Doodle
www.doodle.com
Ever have the daunting task of trying to schedule a meeting with 10 different people all in different organizations? This is the tool for you! You’re able to post a poll for individuals to select the dates and times that work for them and then see what option works for the majority of people. Bam!
And the Winner of My Favorite New Digital Tool…I’ve been searching for something like this my whole life!
Boomerang for Gmail
https://www.boomeranggmail.com/
This Gmail extension allows you to “pause” incoming emails for those blocks of time when you really need to concentrate on something other than your inbox! You can also schedule an email to send out at a later date/time – for when you don’t want to be that creepy person who responds in two seconds. And for those really important emails that you don’t want to forget about after you respond, you can set-up up reminders in case no one responds in a certain amount of time.
What other tools would you recommend to our team? We’re always looking for something to make us better! Share your ideas with us over on Facebook or Twitter!
