- \n
- Enhancing operational efficiency,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Broadening market penetration,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stimulating business innovation,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Expediting product development, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improving customer satisfaction and building better client relationships<\/a>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
An expert we talked to, Christina Lyon<\/a>, entrepreneur and CEO of Lyon Content, agrees. In fact, she believes that she wouldn\u2019t have been able to grow her business without the use of tools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Christina](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Christina-Lyon-CEO-of-Lyon-Content.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cAs the CEO of a marketing agency, tools free up time in my schedule. They automate routine systems and streamline operations like time tracking, emailing, invoicing, etc. so that I can focus on client retention, relationships, and team rapport. I wouldn’t have been able to scale my business to a team of ten with a robust client roster without using automation, management, and time tracking tools.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
If you need even more convincing, here\u2019s what marketing experts and business owners have to say about the reasons to use software for growing your marketing business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Software performs repetitive tasks more accurately and efficiently<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As you employ more people and take on more clients, you\u2019re likely to experience an increase in the number of administrative tasks you have to perform. But if you were to complete them manually, you would risk errors and boredom<\/a> \u2014 not to mention that you would probably waste so much time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, using the right tools would ensure more efficient use of your time and more accurate administrative processes \u2014 especially when you\u2019re constantly dealing with the same tedious tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, the owner of Nautilus Marketing, Tom Jauncey<\/a>, relies on software to make his business operations more straightforward:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Tom-Jauncey-Owner-of-Nautilus-Marketing.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cUsing software makes your business operations much easier as it can help you centralize data and automate repetitive tasks.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Software can help bridge the staff shortages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Based on Indeed\u2019s calculation, hiring a new employee costs most companies anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000<\/a> \u2014 excluding salary and benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding new members to your team is an exciting aspect of a growing business. But, the hiring process can be pretty costly and take a long time. Luckily, good software can help you cover the basics while you\u2019re waiting for a new hire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better yet, it could offload your creatives, allowing them to focus their efforts on marketing tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Jordan Stevens<\/a>, owner of Jordan Stevens Digital Marketing Consulting, not only do tools help you perform tasks more efficiently, but they also reduce the need for additional hiring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Jordan](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Jordan-Stevens-Owner-of-Jordan-Stevens-Digital-Marketing-Consulting.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cAutomation allows you to scale by increasing the amount of work you can complete in the same amount of time. It gives you a chance to offload tasks that otherwise would need a person to finish.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Director of Mustard<\/a>, Justin Quek, agrees and adds that the right software allows business growth without going through the difficulties of finding more people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Justin](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Justin-Quek-Director-of-Mustard.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cWe can scale business with fewer people. It’s hard to find the right people — scaling headcount is always harder.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Software allows you to focus on the bigger picture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A growing company comes with many new challenges, one of which is spending much more time strategizing and adapting. Luckily, when you\u2019re not wasting time on minor tasks, you can focus on strategic actions and the bigger picture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jauncey explains that automation allows him to focus on business goals and strategic activities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cYou can improve your business’s productivity and scalability with the help of automation. For my business, I automate daily tasks like posting on social media handles, email marketing, and much more. It allows me to focus on my major business goals and strategic activities.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Brand strategist and copywriter at The Branding Psychologist, Liv Steigrad<\/a>, believes that software allows her to use her brainpower for high-level strategic work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Liv](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Liv-Steigrad-Brand-strategist-and-copywriter-at-The-Branding-Psychologist.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cAs a business owner with ADHD, the right tools are the difference between strategy and success or stress and chaos. As my business has grown, software and tools have both allowed me to increase my efficiency and focus my brainpower on higher-level, more strategic work \u2014 for myself and my clients. I use automation and software in every area of my business.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s more, Founder and CEO of VM Digital, Vladimir Milic<\/a>, notes that automating repetitive tasks allowed more important tasks to become the focal point of their work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Vladimir](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Vladimir-Milic-the-founder-and-CEO-of-VM-Digital-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cBy automating repetitive tasks, we free up valuable time for our team to focus on more strategic and, to be honest, important activities. Automating business operations has had a great deal of impact on our growth.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, Quek uses tools for insights that guide their client strategies: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cAs an agency \u2013<\/em> software can really streamline our workflows and provide our team with insights to guide our client’s strategy.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
So, what tools do you need for your marketing business growth? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve already invested in software that helps you cover marketing basics. So, the question is \u2014 what other tools are worth investing in when growing a business? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Above all, you need reliable software that streamlines your marketing business operations as they continue growing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The founder of Local SEO Help, Lonnie Jones<\/a>, believes that the tools that automate repetitive tasks and help him distribute resources are the key to effective operations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Lonnie-Jones.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cSoftware tools have helped us streamline our operations. Whether it’s project management, time tracking, or communication, software has enabled us to automate repetitive tasks and allocate resources more effectively.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
So, if you\u2019re ready to invest in good value software, these 3 powerful tools will be your allies in facilitating business growth.<\/p>\n\n\n \n
\n\n\n\nElevate productivity with CAKE.com<\/p>\n \n
Combine time tracking, team communication, and project management to boost your organization\u2019s productivity \u2014 with the CAKE.com Suite.<\/p>\n \n
\n \n Get started <\/a>\n \n \n Learn more <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n![\"Elevate](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/banner-productivity-suite.png\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n\n\nMoving away from manual task management with Plaky<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As reliable project management software, Plaky<\/a> allows you to easily stay on top of your projects, assign work to team members, and get status reports for every task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Milic uses Plaky to ensure his team meets deadlines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cPlaky’s task management and project tracking allow us to keep projects on schedule.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Stevens uses project management software to ensure proper project collaboration within the team and with clients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201c[PM tools] help keep the team on the same page and facilitate conversations around project progress and quality \u2014 all things that clients are concerned about \u2014 which makes supporting a client and communicating with them easier.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, the Web Editor at Ocean Power, Pavel Buev<\/a>, believes that project management tools allow for more accuracy and control:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Pavel](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Pavel-Buev-Web-Editor-at-Ocean-Power.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cThe [PM] system allows you to control any tasks. An experienced manager immediately sees weaknesses [in task and time allocation] and makes decisions to improve these processes. Performers see deadlines and can evaluate future tasks for the project. We work according to the Agile methodology \u2014 our Sprint takes a week. Such a system allows you to predict with great accuracy the list of tasks that will be implemented in each Sprint.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Plaky also lets you manage agile projects<\/a>. With this software, you can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Use the Kanban view<\/a> to visualize projects from start to finish,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Track every change in each board by accessing the activity log, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Collaborate in real time within the item card\u2019s comments section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n![\"Manage](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Plaky-agile-PM.png\")
Manage agile projects in Plaky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Accurately tracking your work to present it to clients in Clockify<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jauncey notes that time tracking is a must for keeping track of your billable time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cIf you want to manage the growth of your team \u2014 implementing time tracking tools is a must! I use them to monitor the productive and billable hours since they must be accurately recorded.\u201d <\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
As a reliable time tracking tool, Clockify allows you to accurately track every hour you and your team have worked as well as mark them as billable<\/a> to present to clients. What\u2019s more, you can define billable rates for every person in your team as well as group billable tasks into projects and assign them to clients. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Have](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Clockify-billable-hours.png\")
Have an overview of your rates for each part of your project in Clockify<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n As Steigrad highlights, Clockify<\/a> can also inform your decisions on pricing and time allocation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cI’m a dedicated time tracker. I used to use Toggl but have since switched to Clockify, which I prefer because of the excellent <\/em>Chrome plugin<\/em><\/a>. Accurately tracking my time means I can see where my efforts are most profitable and where I need to make some changes. That information informs the services I offer, my pricing, and how I schedule my projects.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n![\"Clockify](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Clockify-Chrome-plugin.jpg\")
Clockify Chrome plugin lets you easily track time from your browser<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n For an overview of how much time his team spent working and better work organization, Milic makes the most of Clockify reports:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cThe detailed reporting and analytics help us understand how our time is spent and where, and most importantly, how we can optimize our efforts.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
With Clockify Reports<\/a>, you\u2019re able to break down each project-related cost as well as time spent on every task within the project. This information helps you make budget and time estimates<\/a> for future projects. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Clockify](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Clockify-reports-1042x1024.png\")
Clockify generates detailed reports for each project\/period<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Ensuring proper communication in a growing team with Pumble<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the biggest challenges companies face is enabling good communication within a team that\u2019s constantly growing. VP of Digital Marketing at A Digital Media Company, Julie Keating, explains that proper communication is essential for task coordination:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Julie-Keating-VP-of-Digital-Marketing-at-A-Digital-Media-Company.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cWhen you are growing a marketing business, you have a lot of people coordinating tasks at various levels with the same client. Since most marketing agencies have creatives that work on-site or remotely, communication can often present challenges for everyone to stay on task, while also knowing what their next task is.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Milic highlights Pumble<\/a> as a simple and useful real-time messaging platform:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Use the Kanban view<\/a> to visualize projects from start to finish,<\/li>\n\n\n\n