Remote Work Solutions for Startups: Essential Tools to Get Started

It was 11 p.m., nearly 5 hours after my shift was over, and I received a notification of task completion.

One of my team members, living in a different continent and time zone, just started their shift. 

It is my third year working in tech, but I have never met my team members face-to-face.

Weird, right?

Well, in tech companies, usually spread globally, remote teams are common. From billion-dollar companies like Google and Facebook to small startups like GitLab, nearly all companies have a mandatory or optional remote team structure. 

The remote working trend is now becoming more common because it offers the best of both worlds. Both employee and employer get to save money and boost productivity while enjoying complete freedom. 

In the world of tech, this all comes down to the right tool. 

If you are a startup owner or a remote worker, trying to make the most out of your remote work setup, keep reading. You will find everything you need to know about remote work, startups, and the best tools in the market.

Common Challenges Startups Face 

Within remote work settings, seamless communication is one of the biggest key requirements. This is the reason businesses invest heavily in communication software. Billion-dollar companies generally have their in-house communication software; however, for startups, finding the right software can become quite a challenge.

Budget Limitations

Most startups have very limited capital. They are generally on life support, trying to make the most out of their limited budget. Moreover, small businesses actively seek free solutions to navigate through the initial days of operations. 

For these small startups, even a few dollars in expense can be very challenging. In this case, startups seek free solutions that can support their small team. 

Scaling Opportunities

Most startups struggle in their initial days, but when the team is right, they grow at an exponential rate. This is quite common in tech startups. For instance, OpenAI had just 150 employees in 2019, the year it went public. Currently, the company boasts a headcount of a whopping 3,531. This shows a growth rate of more than 100%. 

For small startups with the potential to grow, finding good, affordable, and scalable software is one of the biggest challenges. 

Digital Tracking 

Startups generally do not have the liberty to hire full-time and on-site employees. Moreover, startups choose to pay per hour, so they can cut costs. A good way to handle this issue is to either use time-tracking software or management tools that can help in recording the digital blueprint of each employee and task. 

For small businesses and startups, finding the right tool that can help them track employees without making it look like micromanagement or intimidating the employee is very important. 

Data Privacy and Security 

For small businesses, relying on third-party software is the only option because in-house software can be quite expensive. However, when using third-party software, there is no room for customization, privacy, or security.

Most of the third-party software comes with basic level privacy settings that might not be ideal for startups handling sensitive data. 

Essential Categories of Remote Work Tools

Before we get straight to the remote work tools, it is very important to know that all these tools are available online. So, regardless of the tools needed and their utility, it is advised for remote workers to have a stable and reliable internet connection.

One impeccable option when it comes to an internet connection when working remotely is Xfinity. With the variety of Xfinity internet plans, it is an informed choice for remote work due to its wide availability, reliability, variety of speeds, and strong network coverage.

Communication Tools

For every business, big or small, onsite or remote, communication tools are very important. Good communication tools help the employee keep everything documented and stay connected with the team. When choosing a good communication tool, it is important to ensure the safety protocol, third-party integration, and compatibility with all kinds of software. 

Project Management Software

For tech businesses, especially when task management is important, project management software is very important. With the help of project management software, companies can invoice clients, handle tasks in a single platform, and record the progress of each project separately. When choosing a good project management software, it is very important to ensure that the tool is user-friendly, offers analytics, and helps in task tracking. 

Cloud Storage and File Sharing Solutions

Cloud storage and file-sharing solutions are excellent ways to share data with everyone, regardless of their location. Most businesses struggle to maintain a remote, secure, and accessible data library for all employees. Cloud storage and file sharing offer a perfect solution for all these issues while choosing a good cloud storage and file sharing solution, keep the storage limit, accessibility options, and security in mind. 

Time Management and Productivity Tools

For small companies, especially tech startups, paying employees full-time can become quite a challenge. This is the reason most tech businesses use time management and tracking tools. These tools ensure every employee gets to complete tasks on time and gets to track their productivity streak as well. 

Remote Work Tools for Startups

1. Skype

Price: free with limited features 

Features: calling, messaging, screen sharing, recording, subtitles, file sharing, voicemail, sms text, wireless hotspot network access 

Ideal for: freelancers, personal use, small companies, businesses, small remote companies with international and diverse teams 

Available on:  Android, window, iOS, Mac, Alexa, Windows 10 Mobile, Kindle Fire 

2. Slack

Price: free with limited features

Features: Channels, Slack Connect, Messaging, Huddles, Clips, third-party integration, Templates, Canvas, Lists, and File sharing

Ideal for: small companies, tech startups, businesses with project-based work, companies handling multiple clients and projects 

Available on:  Android, window, iOS, Mac

3. Jira

Price: Free for a team of up to 10 members 

Features: issue tracking, customizable workflow, reporting, collaboration, integration, automation, goal tracking, shared release dates, and third-party integration 

Ideal for: tech startups especially small software houses and remote development teams 

Available on: Mac, android, iOS, window 

4. Asana

Price: Free for a team of up to 10 members

Features: task management, project management, project view, custom fields, task automation, visual progress tracking, companywide goal planning, file storage, and task commenting 

Ideal for: tech businesses, small startups handling complex projects especially businesses with multiple tech-based projects simultaneously.  

Available on:  Android, window, iOS, Mac

5. Google Drive 

Price: free with limited storage per user 

Features: storage, file management, collaboration, integration, drag and drop, comments, offline use, third-party integration 

Ideal for: Remote teams, especially small businesses with limited data needs and very basic data security requirement 

Available on:  Android, window, iOS, Mac

6. Drop Box

Price: free with limited storage (2GB) per user

Features: email, chat, text, file sharing, sending large files, password protection, file permission, file transfer, long video sharing, link sharing, folder sharing 

Ideal for: freelancers, designers, social media marketers, small digital marketing companies and website designers 

Available on:  Android, window, iOS, Mac

7. Clockyify

Price: free with limited features 

Features: Unlimited time tracking entries, Timesheets, Kiosk mode, Pomodoro timer, Calendar view, Third-party integration and scheduling   

Ideal for: freelancers, small startups working on an hourly basis, employees getting paid per hour, or contractors 

Available on:  Android, window, iOS, Mac

8. Toggl Track 

Price: Free for a team of up to 5 users 

Features: recording, display, time tracking, reporting, project management, team, management, data management, Online work timer, Timesheet reports., Invoicing, Time reporting and analytics, and third-party Integrations (Asana, Trello, Jira, and Slack) 

Ideal for: small businesses working on an hourly rate, freelancers, and remote teams 

Available on:  Android, window, iOS, Mac

Benefits of Using the Right Tools for Startups

Using the right tools can significantly change the course of any startup. With the right tools, businesses can handle diverse teams better, track the digital blueprint of each member, and assign tasks based on availability. Simply put, the right tool for any business can facilitate the employee, making sure they can make the most out of their available time. 

Here are some of the major benefits of using the right tools for any startup: 

• Right tool choice can instantly enhance team and employee productivity, making sure work is assigned strategically to the employee 
• Right communication and project management tools can Improve Collaboration, ensuring every team member is assigned the right amount of work without discrimination.
• Good communication tools can help in making team collaboration seamless, regardless of the location or the time zone. 
• Tools with data extraction features offer valuable insight into the team productivity, helping managers make informed decisions. 
• The right tool can facilitate and match the scalability pace of the brand, ensuring the business grows to its maximum potential. 
• Choosing the right cloud-based tool can help in cost-cutting.
• Using CRM tools can help with tracking leads, managing customer interaction, and keeping project pace to its maximum. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Remote Work Tools

• Not picking a tool that aligns with company culture. 
• Selecting a tool that doesn’t Integrate with existing systems or workflow 
• Choosing a tool that has a very challenging user interface and requires a lot of training 
• Picking a tool that lacks basic Security features, especially has no data protection feature
• Investing in a tool that only facilitates communication and has no management or progress assessment feature

FAQ’s

What Tools Do I Need For Remote Work?

For effective communication and seamless collaboration with your team, you will need communication tools, collaboration tools, project management software, cloud storage and file sharing solutions, time management tools, and productivity tools. 

What Equipment Do You Need To Work Remotely From Home?

For remote work, all you need is a powerful computer, headset, microphone, webcam, and a reliable Internet Connection. 

Can I use free collaboration tools for my startup? 

Yes, using free tools for running a startup is possible. Most of the good collaboration tools have free plans for freelancers and small teams. You can use these tools for effective collaboration and switch to a better plan when the team grows.