The Best Free Resources Available to Small Businesses During Covid-19

In light of the stay at home orders and social distancing, many businesses needs have changed. Our conference rooms sit empty, replaced by little squares on a screen. Businesses with little online presence abruptly had to pivot to completely online. Tech teams had to jump to handle the need for website changes allowing curbside pickup. Fulfillment teams had to put major process changes into place to allow curbside pickup of physical items. Our business needs have shifted to accommodate this strange new economy and with that, the changes in the tools we need to do business have evolved.  

In response to these changing needs, many business tools are being offered for free or with extended free trials. 

Today we thought we'd share a few of the best free or extended trial offers we've seen that may be helpful as we navigate these rapid changes. 

Pandadoc

Pandadoc has added a new Free Esign plan with unlimited document uploads, unlimited esignatures, and payment processing.

Riskrecon (by Mastercard) 

If your business was eligible for the paycheck protection loan you are eligible for a free cyber security assessment by Riskrecon in partnership with the SBA. You can apply for the free assessment here now through December 31, 2020.

Google Ads 

Google is offering $340 million in Google Ads credits to small and medium size businesses who spent money on Google Ads in 10 of 12 months of 2019 and the first two months of 2020. The credit will begin rolling out to Google Ads accounts at the end of May. You will be notified if your business has received the credit. Learn more here.

Skillshare

If you're looking to acquire new skills or you find yourself in need of new skills you do not yet have, Skillshare is offering two months of their premium membership for free. This gives you access to thousands of classes with subjects ranging from SEO, to management, photography, marketing, entrepreneurship, sales, and more.

Cisco Webex 

Businesses in need of cloud calling, video conferencing, or team collabration tracking may benefit from Cisco Webex's free 90 day licenses to businesses during the coronavirus outbreak. Webex gives you access to videoconferencing services, online meetings, screen share capabilities, webinars, and more.

Xfinity

Comcast announced that Xfinity hotspots would now be available to all, not just Xfinity subscribers, for free through June 30th.

Shopify 

Shopify is an eCommerce platform that makes it easy to take your operations online. You can set up an online store in minutes. Shopify extended it's normal 14 day free trial to a 90 day free trial.

Bigcommerce 

Bigcommerce is also an eCommerce platform that will allow you to set up your online store quickly. They are offering three months free for new customers for a limited time.

Office 365 

Microsoft is offering Office 365 plus Microsoft teams for free for six months to help companies accommodate the increased number of employees working from home.

Zencastr 

If you're looking to start a podcast while you're sheltering in place, Zencastr has upgraded their free hobbyist plan to allow for unlimited hours and guests during the coronavirus outbreak.

Headspace 

Just need to keep your cool while managing working from home? Headspace Plus is free if you're unemployed, a healthcare worker in the US or UK, or a teacher. Added meditations on "weathering the storm" are available to all.

The Future

Much of the country is seeing stores open and social distancing guidelines relax. It won't mean that business will return to the way it once was anytime soon. Coronavirus may have fundamentally changed the way we shop for goods and services. These tools may help businesses navigate the post-pandemic economy as we slowly discover what that looks like for each of us.

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