Whether you have been in business for a while or are just starting out, there are always ways you can make your business better and run more efficiently, which, in turn, can make your business more profitable. The internet is a great resource to find tools that can help you streamline, organize, schedule and process information, resources and people easily and cost-effectively. Below are some tools that will help get you and your business in top shape to improve your bottom line:

• Make a to-do list. Making lists is actually an excellent way to make your day more productive. Crossing items off your list gives you a sense of accomplishment and gives you a visual reminder not only of what you have yet to get done, but of what you have done so far. One of the best-known online to-do list sites is Todoist, which is a free platform that allows users to manage tasks and projects anywhere, across ten different platforms. It’s a great tool for anyone, from busy entrepreneurs to students.

• Consider a virtual assistant. Every business owner needs an assistant, and a virtual assistant (VA) can be especially helpful if you are a solopreneur, or if you have employees but no dedicated assistant. VA’s are also useful if you don’t need a full-time assistant or if you are just looking for help with a temporary project. The possibilities with VA’s are limitless. The website for the International Virtual Assistant Association is an excellent place to start the search for a VA. This Entrepreneur Magazine article has a good list of which business tasks you can outsource to a VA.

• Download Google Apps. The suite of business productivity apps from Google are a fantastic way to for businesses to collaborate in real time. Consisting of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Sites, the apps give you and your team the means to innovate, brainstorm and document ideas and work together towards your goals. One of the interesting features of Google Docs is that people can work together on a single document at the same time, and even see the edits others are making in real time. If you use a Gmail email address to sign up for Google Apps, it’s free, but there’s a monthly fee starting at $5.00 if you use your business email address.

• Utilize Dropbox. Some organizations have central servers, to which all employees can access common files, but they can be expensive and are not accessible once employees leave the office. Dropbox fixes this problem. It is a web-based storage center that provides businesses with an easy way to share and store all types of files, including photos, documents, videos and spreadsheets using both desktop and mobile devices. Dropbox makes it easy for users to access the files they need when and where they need to.

These are just a few of many tools available to help you find ways to better your business. You may decide to try one or two of them at a time, or discover others you want to try. Utilizing tools such as these is a simple, efficient and effective way to build your business into what you imagine it can be.