Working outside of the office can be a hassle, especially when you don’t have the right tools on hand. Take a look at some of the tools that will make remote work an absolute breeze from now on.
1. Website Blockers
Are you easily distracted? Then, you should download website blockers to stop you from scrolling through social media or checking out your favorite Netflix show when you should be buckling down. Some website blockers you could try are Freedom, Stay Focused, Lock Me Out and BlockSite.
2. Ambient Noise Apps
Ambient noise apps can block out the noises of the outside world and help you focus on the tasks at hand. These are especially useful when you don’t have privacy, like when you’re working in a crowded coffee shop or coworking space.
Some ambient noise apps you could download are Noisli, Coffitivity, Rainy Mood, myNoise and Atmosphere. You can also listen to white noise playlists on streaming apps like Spotify.
3. Editing Apps
You don’t want to send an important email to your boss and realize that it’s full of embarrassing mistakes. Use editing apps to spruce up your work before you send it out. Some editing apps that you could look into are Grammarly, Prowritingaid, Linguix and Scribens.
4. Video Conferencing Apps
Keep in contact with your colleagues and clients with video conferencing apps. Some popular videoconferencing apps you could try are Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet.
5. A Virtual Private Network
A Virtual Private Network will protect your identity and browsing activity from hackers. This online tool is ideal for remote workers dealing with highly sensitive information that can’t risk being tampered with or leaked.
6. Project Management Apps
Use project management apps to organize your tasks for the day, the week, and even the month ahead. Some popular project management apps are Asana, Trello, Notion, and Jira. Among these options, Jira stands out as a robust solution for project management. You can explore the benefits of leveraging Jira’s agile project management features and efficient project planning.
7. Calendar Apps
Keep track of all your upcoming meetings, project deadlines and other important dates with a simple calendar app. Some calendar apps you could use are Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook Calendar and Fantastical.
8. Cloud Storage Software
Automatically backup your documents to guarantee that your hard work is never completely lost. If your computer breaks down or gets stolen, at least you will be able to access online copies of your saved work through your cloud account. Some cloud storage software options are Dropbox, Box, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. For more choices, you can explore Google Drive alternatives as well.
9. Online Loans
Ideally, you will never need to use a website for online loans, but there are certain circumstances where it may be a necessary solution. For instance, if your laptop breaks, you’ll need to get it fixed as soon as possible. You might not have enough savings in your emergency fund to cover the urgent expense. In cases like this, online loans may be potential alternatives for covering emergency expenses. With an approved loan, you can pay for repairs quickly. Then, you can get back to work.
Some employers will compensate their remote workers for tech repairs and replacements. If a tech emergency happens to you, talk to your manager and send them the receipt for your emergency expense.
10. Password Managing Apps
All of these apps and accounts will require strong passwords. To keep track of them all, use a password management app. Some options for password management apps are Koho Vault, LastPass, Bitwarden and Keeper.
Working from home doesn’t have to be a challenge. Use these online tools to make things easier on yourself.