As a SME business owner, we know you are juggling a lot. Marketing, customer service, operations – the list goes on. Time is tight, and resources are even tighter. That's why you need marketing tools that do the heavy lifting.
We're not talking about overwhelming you with a laundry list of apps. Instead, here's a streamlined guide to the top marketing tools that will help your SME thrive without adding to your to-do list.
Disclaimer: Hellopeter isn't affiliated with the other brands mentioned below. There are plenty of other great tools out there, but these are some we think can add real value to your business.
First impressions matter, especially when you're competing for attention just as much as the next SME. Strong visuals can grab attention, communicate your brand message effectively, and leave a lasting impact. Think about social media, your website, or marketing materials; good design helps your business stand out.
Canva is a design tool that empowers SMEs to create professional-grade graphics without a dedicated design team. Canva's drag-and-drop interface and pre-designed templates make crafting social media posts, marketing flyers, or presentations effortless. This means you can maintain a polished, cohesive brand image across all your marketing channels, even if you're working with limited resources.
Free version available; Pro starts at R110 per month for one person.
If your SME isn't on social media, you're missing out. It's where you build relationships, showcase your brand, and engage with your audience. Having the right tools can help you manage your content effectively and maintain consistency. Did you know that 71% of consumers who have a positive experience with a brand on social media are likely to recommend it to others? That’s a massive group of people to include in your marketing.
Consistency is vital to social media success, but managing multiple platforms can quickly become overwhelming. Planable is a social media collaboration tool designed to simplify content planning, creation, and scheduling. It allows teams to draft, review, and approve posts in one centralised space, making it easier to maintain a cohesive brand voice. Planable helps streamline your workflow and ensures your social media efforts stay organised and effective.
Free plan is available; paid plans start at $33 monthly (approximately R630).
Email isn't dead – it's thriving. It remains one of the most direct and cost-effective ways to communicate with your audience, nurture relationships, and drive sales. With the right email marketing tool, you can personalise content and track performance for better results.
Mailchimp simplifies this process by offering intuitive tools for designing, automating, and tracking email campaigns. You can send newsletters, promotional offers, or personalised messages; Mailchimp helps you reach the right audience with the right content. Its robust analytics provide insights into campaign performance, allowing you to refine your strategy and maximise engagement.
Free trial for up to 500 contacts; paid plans start at R280 monthly.
Acquiring new customers is important, but retaining them is where the real growth happens. Loyal customers spend more, refer others, and become brand advocates. A strong loyalty program can help turn occasional buyers into lifelong supporters. Increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can boost profits by 25% to 95%.
With ZapConnect, businesses gain access to Zapper’s massive, trusted consumer base. Their smart rewards algorithms and proprietary data help merchants find and convert new customers through personalised, Zapper-funded vouchers – while in-app loyalty cards keep them coming back. And with a performance-based model, businesses take no financial risk – they only profit when ZapConnect drives real sales, ensuring their success is directly tied to yours.
Enquire about their ZapConnect campaign by sending an email to sales@zapper.com.
Your reputation can make or break your business. And with the internet being our "go-to" for almost everything, about 76% of consumers turn to online reviews before making purchasing decisions. Managing your reputation effectively means staying on top of customer feedback and leveraging it to build trust.
Hellopeter Business is South Africa's leading review and reputation management software designed to help SMEs build trust with potential customers. It enables businesses to collect, respond to, and showcase authentic customer feedback, turning positive experiences into powerful marketing assets. Although authentic reviews enhance credibility, they also improve your search rankings, making it easier for new customers to find you online. Engaging with reviews shows that you genuinely care, fostering customer loyalty and long-term relationships.
14-day free trial. Plans start from R599 per month – an affordable investment to grow your social proof, manage your reputation, and attract more customers.
Digital marketing doesn't have to be overwhelming. With good tools on your side, you can streamline your efforts, build trust, and grow your business without burning out. Find the tools that work for you and complement each other, creating a marketing ecosystem that works around the clock – so you don't have to.
Ready to build trust, boost visibility, and drive growth? Sign up for Hellopeter Business today and see how authentic customer reviews can transform your brand.