It’s a no-brainer, remote working is here to stay. Everywhere, from small businesses to global brands, businesses are offering flexible commuting policies more than ever before. Even though the rise in its adoption came about because of the pandemic, companies quickly realised its benefits. In fact, over 70% of companies are planning to allow some form of remote work, according to Buffer. And when decision-makers were asked if remote work would be a permanent option, 71% said yes. So, if you’re still figuring out how to make remote work actually work for you, you’re not alone.

With all this research supporting the need for remote work, it is clear that businesses need to have the best business tools to keep productivity high. Managing a remote business is not so different from managing an onsite business. You just need a certain amount of creativity to do this well, and having the right tools is the first step to making this work. You have to know the right communication tools, the right project management tools, the right tools for data storage, and much more.

But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are worth your time. Just know this: you don’t need a million different apps to stay organised and efficient, you just need the right ones that fit your business needs.

In this article, we’ll walk you through five must-have tools that can help you stay on top of things, streamline your workflow, and stay productive no matter where you’re working from.

• Google Workspace

You could call Google Workspace one of the holy grails of remote working tools, and you wouldn’t be wrong. It’s an all-in-one productivity suite that provides everything you need to work together efficiently with your team, no matter where they are.

With Google Workspace, you get access to essential tools like:

• • Gmail – A professional email that integrates with other Google apps.
  • Google Drive – Secure cloud storage that allows you to store, share, and collaborate on files in real-time.
  • Google Docs, Sheets and Slides – Perfect for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with your team.
  • Google Meet – A video conferencing tool that makes virtual meetings easy. 
  • Google Calendar – A scheduling tool that helps keep your team organised and on track with deadlines.
  • Google Chat – A messaging tool that stores all the messages in place.

One of the biggest advantages of Google Workspace is its integration across all these apps. You can start a meeting from your Gmail inbox, collaborate on a document in real-time, and store everything safely in the cloud all without switching between multiple platforms. 

If you’re running a remote business, Google Workspace is a great investment and a tool you should use. 

• Trello

Trello is what you would call a workflow manager. It helps you keep track of tasks, projects, and deadlines in a simple, visual way. It’s sort of like a digital bulletin board where you can organise everything from daily to-do lists to long-term projects.

Trello uses boards, lists, and cards to break down tasks:

• Boards represent overall projects or workspaces.
• Lists help categorise tasks (e.g., “To Do,” “In Progress,” “Completed”).
• Cards are individual tasks that can be assigned, labelled, and tracked.

One of Trello’s biggest strengths is its simplicity. You can drag and drop tasks between lists, set deadlines, add attachments, and even integrate with tools like Slack and Google Drive. There are also other features like due dates, file attachments, checklists, etc. 

• Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage service often used for file sharing and collaboration. It is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, it allows teams to store, and access files from anywhere. It’s sometimes compared to Google Drive, but while both offer cloud storage, Dropbox is known for its simple file-sharing features and syncing across devices.

Some key features of Dropbox include:

• File syncing across devices – Any changes made to a file are automatically updated across all linked devices.
• Easy file sharing – Share files or folders with a simple link, even with people who don’t have a Dropbox account.
• Version history and file recovery – Restore previous versions of files or recover deleted items when needed.
• Third-party integrations – Works with tools like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Office for a better workflow.

Dropbox is particularly useful for teams handling large files, such as designers and video editors, since it maintains file quality and offers version history to track edits.

• Slack

Slack is a cloud-based team collaboration and communication platform designed for teams and companies. The Slack app organises conversations into channels, making it easier to keep discussions focused and accessible to team members.

Here’s what makes Slack useful for remote teams:

• Channels – Organise conversations by project, department, or topic.
• Direct messages – Send quick, private messages to teammates.
• File sharing – Upload documents, and links directly in conversations.
• Integrations – Connect Slack with tools like Google Drive, Trello, and Zoom.
• Searchable history – Easily find past messages, files, and links.

Slack helps remote teams communicate in a way that feels natural and immediate, it could be for quick updates, brainstorming sessions, or project discussions. 

• Evernote

Evernote is a note-taking app that was designed to collect and organise text, pictures, videos, and audio recordings. It’s great for jotting down ideas, saving research, keeping track of tasks, or getting your meeting notes. Evernote makes it easy to find what you need when you need it.

Here’s what you can do with it:

• Take notes your way – Type, draw, record audio, or snap pictures.
• Stay organised – Use notebooks, tags, and a powerful search function to find information quickly.
• Sync across devices – Access your notes anytime on desktop, mobile, or web.
• Save from the web – Clip articles, web pages, and PDFs directly into your Evernote.
• Keep track of tasks – Set reminders and create checklists

For remote workers, Evernote acts as a digital notebook of some sort. 

Conclusion 

To be successful with remote work, you first need to start with the foundation or the little things. In this case, that means having the right tools in place. When you eventually start hiring remote workers, they’ll already have structured processes and tools to follow, making onboarding easier and working more efficiently. Setting up these systems early on helps your team work better.