Six Business Management Platforms to Streamline Your Small Business

If you’re a founder or CEO, you know there’s a fine line between running a business and the business running you. When you’re the one (and often the only one) doing all the things – from managing finances to completing projects to overseeing operations –  it can be hard to stay afloat. Sometimes, the difference between being a “good busy” and completely overwhelmed is your systems (or lack thereof).

I am a huge proponent of using technology to make life as an entrepreneur easier. I have seen firsthand how the right tools can transform the way you work, by helping you manage tasks, track projects, collaborate with your team, and automate repetitive processes. Business management platforms are a great way to keep everything organized and running smoothly. The amount of time they save you from doing mundane tasks outweighs their investment. The challenge is choosing the right platform for your needs. So, this week, I’m summarizing six of the top business management platforms marketed toward small businesses. This list is just a starting point; be sure to do your own research to find the platform that will work for you.

Best for: Project management and team collaboration

Monday.com is a versatile work management platform that helps small businesses stay organized and collaborate more effectively. With customizable workflows, teams can track projects, assign tasks, set deadlines, and communicate—all in one place. Its visual dashboard makes it easy to see the progress of ongoing projects at a glance, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Key Features:

• Customizable workflows and task boards
• Real-time collaboration tools
• Integration with popular apps like Slack, Zoom, and Google Drive
• Visual dashboards to track progress

Why It’s Great: Monday.com’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to get on board quickly, even if they don’t have technical expertise.

Best for: Simple task management and workflow organization

If you prefer a straightforward tool to organize your tasks, Trello is a fantastic option. Trello’s card-and-board system allows you to create tasks, assign team members, set deadlines, and track progress. Its simplicity and flexibility make it ideal for small business owners who need a visual tool to stay on top of their daily to-dos.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop task cards
• Customizable boards for different projects or workflows
• Collaboration tools for teams
• Integration with apps like Google Drive, Slack, and Dropbox

Why It’s Great: Trello is perfect for small teams or solo entrepreneurs who want a clear and visual way to manage tasks without a steep learning curve.

Best for: All-in-one business management

Zoho One is a comprehensive suite of apps designed to manage every aspect of your business. From CRM and accounting to project management and marketing automation, Zoho One offers more than 40 integrated applications in one platform. It’s ideal for small businesses looking for an all-encompassing solution that can scale with growth.

Key Features:

• CRM, accounting, marketing, and HR tools
• Integrated apps for sales, collaboration, and support
• Automation for repetitive business processes
• Real-time data analytics and reporting

Why It’s Great: Zoho One offers everything a small business needs to run efficiently, all within one affordable package.

Best for: Client and project management for service-based businesses

HoneyBook is an all-in-one platform tailored to service-based businesses, making it easy to manage client interactions, projects, invoices, and contracts. From booking clients to sending invoices and receiving payments, HoneyBook streamlines your workflow by keeping everything in one place. The platform also allows you to automate administrative tasks like follow-ups and appointment scheduling.

Key Features:

• Automated invoicing and payment processing
• Project tracking from initial inquiry to final payment
• Contract and proposal templates
• Integration with calendars, QuickBooks, and Zapier

Why It’s Great: HoneyBook simplifies the client management process, making it especially valuable for creative professionals and small business owners who need to focus on building relationships rather than administrative work.

Best for: Task tracking and project management

Asana is another excellent project management platform that helps small businesses track work, set deadlines, and manage teams. Its intuitive layout allows you to create projects, assign tasks, and monitor progress with ease. Asana also offers multiple views (list, calendar, or timeline) to help you see tasks in the format that works best for you.

Key Features:

• Task management with due dates and priorities
• Multiple project views (list, calendar, timeline)
• Collaboration features for teams
• Integration with tools like Slack, Dropbox, and Google Workspace

Why It’s Great: Asana offers flexibility with how you organize tasks, making it an excellent choice for teams that want to stay on top of projects and deadlines.

Choosing the right business management platform can make all the difference in how efficiently you run your small business. Whether you need a simple task manager like Trello, a robust all-in-one solution like Zoho One, or a client management tool like Dubsado, there’s sure to be a platform that will fit the way you work. Integrating a business management platform or other technology to streamline your operations will save you time, reduce redundancies, and free you to focus on growing your business.