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20 Best Free and Affordable Digital Marketing Tools for Small Businesses

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August 25, 2025

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18 min read

As a small business owner, you have to handle a variety of tasks. Consequently, digital marketing tools help you manage...

20 Best Free and Affordable Digital Marketing Tools for Small Businesses 1

As a small business owner, you have to handle a variety of tasks. Consequently, digital marketing tools help you manage your daily tasks efficiently. Indeed, it is essential to reach people online, but there are so many options. Therefore, choosing the right tool can be a complex and confusing process. The best part? You don’t need a lot of money to compete with bigger businesses online. 


Moreover, the right digital marketing tools for small businesses can change the way you communicate with clients, whether you are launching your first email campaign, aiming to improve your Google search results, or seeking to enhance your social media presence. There is a solution for every budget and company requirement, from free email marketing platforms to SEO solutions that help you understand what your clients are looking for. 


We have compiled this blog to help you with the 20 best free and affordable digital marketing tools for small businesses. We will discuss everything from creating content and managing social media to analytics and customer relationship management. Discover our digital marketing services to learn how Pixako UAE helps small businesses achieve smart rankings.


What are Digital Marketing Tools?


Digital marketing tools are designed to help you get the word out about your business online. Specifically, these marketing tools enable tasks, such as writing content and analyzing customers, to be completed faster, easier, and more effectively. In a nutshell, these tools act as your virtual team and provide marketing ideas for small businesses. They handle tasks that need to be done repeatedly, provide audience data, and help you in creating campaigns that appear professional and would typically require a marketing department. 


Furthermore, these tools help small business internet marketers handle complex marketing tasks, such as sending targeted emails, scheduling posts on social networks, and tracking website visitors. Ultimately, digital marketing strategies for small businesses are both valuable and beautiful. How? Because one platform can make images, plan social media posts, and track how people connect. This multi-functionality helps you maximize your resources while maintaining a professional online presence.


Read more: How to market your business in Dubai with 14 proven strategies


How Do Digital Marketing Tools Help Small Businesses?


Many small businesses face unique challenges in terms of digital competitiveness. Thus, it can be challenging to maintain consistent marketing when you have a limited budget, a small team, and limited time. However, you can now access a valuable solution that provides data-driven insights into consumer behavior, enabling you to connect effectively with your target audience. 


The tools, such as analytics, help you determine which content is most effective, when your audience is most engaged, and which marketing strategy is producing the best results in terms of sales.  Whereas, email marketing can help you encourage existing clients while also generating new leads. Meanwhile, social media schedulers maintain your brand in front of people. SEO tools make website content better for search engines. One of the best aspects is that it saves money.


Read more: 12 advertising strategies for small businesses in Dubai | 2025 Guide.


List of 20 Free and Affordable Digital Marketing Tools For Small Businesses


1. Email Marketing Tools


Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to follow up with prospects, establish relationships, and generate sales without incurring significant expenses. 


ToolsFeatures and Price
Mailchimp• Broadcasting
• Customized-coded email templates.
• Personalized onboarding.
• Advanced segmentation and reporting.
• Enhanced automations.
• Analytics and reporting.

Free plan: Up to 500 contacts.
Paid plans: Start at $13/month.
ConvertKit• Email automation and sequences.
• Landing page and form builder.
• Tag-based subscriber management.
• Integrations with e-commerce platforms.
• Visual automation builder.

Free plan: Up to 1,000 subscribers.
Paid plans: Start at $15/month.
Moosend• Email campaign templates.
• Advanced segmentation.
• Real-time analytics.
• Marketing automation.
• A/B testing.

Free trial: 30 days.
Paid plans start at $ 9 per month.
Drip• E-commerce-focused email marketing.
• Personalized email campaigns.
• Multi-channel automation (email, SMS).
• Revenue tracking.
• Pre-built workflows.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $39/month (up to 2,500 contacts).
Brevo• Email and SMS marketing.
• Transactional email capabilities.
• Drag-and-drop editor.
• CRM integration.
• Real-time reporting.

Free plan: Up to 300 emails/day.
Paid plans: Start at $25/month.
Mailerlite• Email campaign builder.
• Landing page and website builder.
• Automation workflows.
• Subscriber tagging.
• A/B testing.

Free plan: Up to 1,000 subscribers.
Paid plans start at $ 9 per month.

2. Social Media Marketing Tools


These affordable tools are ideal for companies seeking to leverage social media marketing on a budget. As these can help you interact with your clients, build brand awareness, and drive more traffic to your websites. Among the tools are:


ToolsFeatures and Price
Buffer• Social media post scheduling.
• Analytics and reporting.
• Team collaboration tools.
• Multi-platform management.
• Link shortening and tracking.

Free plan: 3 social channels, 10 posts per channel.
Paid plans: Start at $6/ 6/month per channel.
Hootsuite• Social media scheduling and monitoring.
• Content calendar.
• Social listening tools.
• Analytics and performance marketing tools.
• Team collaboration features.

Free plan: Limited features (1 user, two social accounts).
Paid plans: Start at $99/month.
Later• Instagram-first scheduling tool.
• Visual content calendar.
• Hashtag suggestions.
• Analytics for Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
• Link-in-bio feature.

Free plan: 1 social set, 10 posts per platform.
Paid plans: Start at $18/month.
Canva• Drag-and-drop graphic design.
• Pre-designed templates for social media.
• Stock photos, videos, and elements.
• Brand kit for consistent visuals.
• Animation and video editing.

Free plan: Basic design tools and templates are included.
Paid plans: Start at $12.99/month (Pro).

3. SEO Tools


SEO tools can help your small company with affordable SEO solutions for SMEs, as well as software for beginners. It attracts more people to see your website on search engines, which brings in more traffic and makes your brand more well-known. Some critical tools include: 


ToolsFeatures and Price
Ahrefs• Backlink analysis.
• Keyword research.
• Competitor analysis.
• Site audit tool.
• Rank tracking.

No free plan (offers free Webmaster Tools for basic use).Paid plans: Start at $99/month.
Semrush• Keyword research and tracking.
• Competitor analysis.
• Content optimization tools.
• Pay-per-click campaign management.
• SEO audit and recommendations.

Free plan: Limited features.
Paid plans: Start at $129.95/month.
Google Search Console• Monitor website performance in search results.
• Identify indexing issues.
• Keyword and query tracking.
• Submit sitemaps.
• Mobile usability testing.

Free to use.
Surfer SEO• Content optimization for SEO.
• Keyword research and clustering.
• SERP analysis.
• Content editor with real-time suggestions.
• Audit existing content for improvements.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $19/month.
AIOSEO • On-page SEO optimization.
• XML sitemap generation.
• Schema markup support.
• SEO audit checklist.
• WooCommerce SEO features.

Free plan: Basic features.
Paid plans: Start at $49.60/year.
MonsterInsights • Google Analytics integration for WordPress.
• Real-time traffic stats.
• E-commerce tracking.
• Customizable reports.
• Page-level insights.

Free plan: Basic features.
Paid plans: Start at $99.50/year.

4. Content Marketing Tools 


These tools help to create, enhance, and share high-quality content that captures the target audience’s attention and maintains their interest.


ToolsFeatures and Price
HubSpot• Content management system (CMS).
• Blog and landing page creation.
• SEO recommendations.
• Analytics and reporting.
• Marketing automation.

Free plan: Basic CRM and marketing tools.
Paid plans: Start at $50/month (Marketing Hub Starter).
BuzzSumo• Content discovery and trending topics.
• Competitor content analysis.
• Influencer identification.
• Content performance tracking.
• Alerts for specific keywords or topics.

Free plan: Limited searches per month.
Paid plans: Start at $119/month.
Grammarly• Grammar and spelling checks.
• Style and tone suggestions.
• Plagiarism detection.
• Browser and app integrations.
• Writing insights and goals.

Free plan: Basic grammar and spelling checks.
Paid plans: Start at $12/month (Premium).
Surfer• SEO-focused content editor.
• Keyword density recommendations.
• SERP analysis for content ideas.
• Content audit tools.
• Real-time optimization suggestions.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $19/month.

5. Lead Generation Tools


Lead generation systems help gather information about potential clients, enabling them to develop their email lists and sales funnels.


ToolsFeatures and Price
OptinMonster• Pop-up and form builder.
• Exit-intent technology.
• A/B testing for forms.
• Page-level targeting.
• Integration with email and CRM tools.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $9/ 9/month.
Typeform• Interactive form and survey builder.
• Conditional logic for personalized forms.
• Customizable templates.
• Analytics and reporting.
• Integrations with other tools.

Free plan: 10 responses/month.
Paid plans: Start at $25/month.
Unbounce• Landing page builder.
• Drag-and-drop editor.
• A/B testing for pages.
• Conversion tracking.
• Pop-ups and sticky bars.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $99/month.
WPForms • Drag-and-drop form builder for WordPress.
• Pre-built form templates.
• Conditional logic for forms.
• Payment integrations (PayPal, Stripe).
• Spam protection.

Free plan: Basic form builder.
Paid plans: Start at $49.50/year.

6. Conversion Optimization Tools


You can enhance user experiences and website conversion rates by utilizing these conversion tools. As these will help you gain a deeper understanding of customer behavior and effectively convert them. Some of the affordable tools are:


ToolsFeatures and Price
Hotjar• Surveys.
• Provides heatmaps.
• Interviews.
• Recording.
• Feedback.

Free plan: Basic heatmaps and recordings.
Paid plans: Start at $32/month.
Crazy Egg• Heatmaps and scroll maps.
• A/B testing for website elements.
• User session recordings.
• Click tracking.
• Visual reports.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $24/month.
Google Optimize• A/B testing for website elements.
• Personalization features.
• Integration with Google Analytics.
• Multivariate testing.
• Experiment reporting.

Free to use (discontinued in September 2023, but alternatives like Optimize 360 are available).

7. Affiliate Marketing Tools


You can use affiliate marketing solutions to generate sales and expand your reach through partnerships without incurring upfront costs.


ToolsFeatures and Price
Refersion• Affiliate program management.
• Real-time tracking and reporting.
• Customizable commission structures.
• Affiliate recruitment tools.
• Integration with e-commerce platforms.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $99/month.
Tapfiliate• Affiliate tracking and management.
• Customizable affiliate dashboards.
• Multi-language support.
• Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other platforms.
• Performance analytics.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $89/month.

8. Marketing Automation Tools


The use of automation tools frees up your time by automating tasks that need to be done repeatedly. These product marketing automation softwares nurture prospects and experience a 451% increase in qualified leads. The affordable tool options include: 


ToolsFeatures and Price
ActiveCampaign• Email marketing automation.
• CRM integration.
• Customer journey mapping.
• SMS marketing.
• Advanced segmentation.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $29/month.
Autopilot• Visual marketing automation builder.
• Multi-channel automation ( e.g., email, SMS).
• Lead nurturing workflows.
• Analytics and reporting.
• Integration with CRM tools.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $49/month.
Omnisend • E-commerce-focused automation.
• Email and SMS marketing.
• Pre-built automation workflows.
• Product recommendations.
• Campaign performance tracking.

Free plan: Up to 500 emails/month.
Paid plans: Start at $16/month.
Sender• Email and SMS marketing.
• Drag-and-drop email editor.
• Automation workflows.
• Real-time analytics.
• Affordable pricing for small businesses.

Free plan: Up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails/month.
Paid plans: Start at $8/ 8/month.
Mailerlite Automation• Email automation workflows.
• Subscriber tagging and segmentation.
• Landing page and form builder.
• A/B testing.
• Analytics and reporting.

Free plan: Up to 1,000 subscribers.
Paid plans start at $9 per month.

9. Analytics Tools


Analytics tools help you make informed decisions based on data by providing you with information about the performance of your website and marketing efforts.


ToolsFeatures and Price
Google Analytics• Real-time website traffic tracking.
• Audience demographics and behavior insights.
• Conversion tracking.
• E-commerce performance analysis.
• Customizable dashboards.

Free to use.
Mixpanel• User behavior tracking for apps and websites.
• Funnel analysis.
• Retention tracking.
• A/B testing for features.
• Real-time analytics.

Free plan: Up to 100K monthly tracked users.
Paid plans: Start at $25/month.
Databox• Customizable dashboards.
• Integration with multiple data sources.
• Real-time performance tracking.
• Mobile app for on-the-go insights.
• Pre-built templates for reports.

Free plan: Basic dashboards.
Paid plans: Start at $72/month.

10. CRM Tools


You can track sales, maintain client relationships, and keep customers using customer relationship management solutions. Among the reasonably priced tool choices are:


ToolsFeatures and Price
HubSpot CRM• Contact and deal management.
• Email tracking and templates.
• Sales pipeline management.
• Marketing automation.
• Reporting and analytics.

Free plan: Basic CRM features.
Paid plans: Start at $50/month (Starter).
Zoho CRM• Lead and contact management.
• Workflow automation.
• Sales forecasting.
• Multi-channel strategic communication.
• Customizable dashboards.

Free plan: Up to 3 users.
Paid plans: Start at $14/month per user.
Salesforce• Advanced CRM features for sales and marketing.
• AI-powered insights with Einstein Analytics.
• Workflow automation.
• App marketplace for integrations.
• Customizable reports.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $25/month per user.
Pipedrive • Sales pipeline management.
• Email integration and tracking.
• Activity reminders.
• Customizable pipelines.
• Reporting and analytics.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $14.90/month per user.

11. WordPress-Specific Tools 


These tools make it easy for your small companies to create and modify WordPress websites without needing to know how to code.


ToolsFeatures and Price
SeedProd• Drag-and-drop page builder.
• Pre-built landing page templates.
• Coming soon and maintenance mode pages.
• Integration with email marketing tools.
• Mobile-responsive designs.

Free plan: Basic features.
Paid plans: Start at $39.50/year.
Beaver Builder• Drag-and-drop WordPress page builder.
• Pre-designed templates for quick setup.
• Front-end editing for real-time changes.
• Mobile-friendly and SEO-optimized designs.
• Integration with WordPress themes and plugins.

Free plan: Limited features.
Paid plans: Start at $99/year.
Divi• Visual page builder for WordPress.
• Pre-made layouts and templates.
• Advanced design customization options.
• Built-in A/B testing.
• Responsive editing for mobile optimization.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $89/year.

12. Contest & Giveaway Tools


You can attract interest in your products and services by hosting contests and giveaways, thereby building a following.


ToolsFeatures and Price
RafflePress• Drag-and-drop giveaway builder.
• Pre-built templates for contests.
• Social media integration for entry methods.
• Fraud protection for fair contests.
• Real-time analytics to track performance.

Free plan: Basic features.
Paid plans: Start at $39.50/year.

13. Live Chat & Support Tools


Live chat and support technology options help your small business effectively and timely deal with customers, which in turn makes them happier and leads to increased sales.


ToolsFeatures and Price
LiveChat• Real-time chat with customers.
• Chat customization options.
• Ticketing system for support.
• Integration with CRM and email tools.
• Analytics and reporting.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $20/month per agent.
ChatBot• AI-powered chatbot builder.
• Pre-designed conversation templates.
• Multi-channel support (website, Facebook, etc.).
• Integration with LiveChat and other tools.
• Analytics to track chatbot performance.

No free plan.
Paid plans: Start at $52/month.

14. Graphic Designing Tools


You can create professional-looking graphics for your websites, social media, and commercials without hiring a designer by using free and affordable graphic design tools.


ToolsFeatures and Price
VistaCreate• Drag-and-drop graphic design editor.
• Pre-designed templates for social media, ads, and more.
• Access to stock photos, videos, and animations.
• Brand kit for consistent visuals.
• Animation and video editing features.

Free plan: Basic design tools.
Paid plans: Start at $10/month.
SnappaCanva• Easy-to-use graphic design tool.
• Pre-made templates for social media and ads.
• Free stock photo library.
• Customizable dimensions for designs.
• Collaboration features for teams.

Free plan: Limited monthly downloads.
Paid plans: Start at $10/month.

15. Video Marketing Tools


Video marketing tools make it easier for your small businesses to create engaging videos, which is crucial for effective social media and internet marketing.


ToolsFeatures and Price
Lumen5• AI-powered video creation.
• Convert blog posts into videos.
• Pre-designed templates for social media.
• Access to stock footage and music.
• Customizable text overlays and animations.

Free plan: Limited features.
Paid plans: Start at $19/month.
Animoto• Drag-and-drop video editor.
• Templates for marketing and social media videos.
• Add text, music, and transitions.
• Stock library with photos and videos.
• Custom branding options.

Free plan: Watermarked videos.
Paid plans: Start at $8/ 8/month.

16. Project & Task Management Tools


You can stay organised, track your progress effectively, and collaborate efficiently with your team by utilising project management solutions.


ToolsFeatures and Price
Trello• Kanban boards for task management.
• Customizable workflows and task cards.
• File attachments and comments for collaboration.
• Integration with other tools like Slack and Google Drive.
• Mobile app for on-the-go task management.

Free plan: Basic boards and features are included.
Paid plans: Start at $5/ 5/ 5/month per user.
Asana• Task and project management dashboards.
• Timeline and calendar views.
• Team collaboration and communication tools.
• Workflow automation.
• Integration with over 100 apps and tools.

Free plan: Basic task management.
Paid plans: Start at $10.99/month per user.

17. Content Planning & Ideation


Content planning tools help identify popular themes and create content that resonates with their audience.


ToolsFeatures and Price
AnswerThePublic• Visual keyword and topic maps.
• Discover questions and phrases people search for.
• Exportable data for content planning.
• Identify trending topics in your niche.
• Free and paid versions for different needs.

Free plan: Limited daily search queries.
Paid plans: Start at $9/ 9/month.
Google Trends• Analyze search trends over time.
• Compare keyword popularity.
• Identify seasonal trends.
• Regional and global search data.

Free to use with real-time insights.
Free to use.

18. Landing Page Builders 


From the landing page builder sales tools, you can make websites for campaigns, events, and lead generation that convert well without needing to know how to code.


ToolsFeatures and Price
Carrd• Affordable and straightforward one-page website builder.
• Pre-designed templates for landing pages.
• Mobile-responsive designs.
• Integration with email marketing tools.
• Custom domains and analytics.

Free plan: Basic features.
Paid plans start at $9 per year.
Mailerlite Landing Pages• Drag-and-drop landing page builder.
• Pre-designed templates for lead generation.
• Integration with email automation workflows.
• A/B testing for landing pages.
• Mobile-friendly designs.

Free plan: Up to 1,000 subscribers.
Paid plans: Start at $9/ 9/month.

19. Link-in-Bio & Micro Landing Page Tools


These tools help you maximise your social network presence by consolidating multiple connections in one place, which directs visitors to other relevant sites.


ToolsFeatures and Price
Linktree• Create a customizable link-in-bio page
• .Add multiple links to social media profiles.
• Analytics to track clicks and engagement.
• Integration with e-commerce and email tools.

Free and premium plans are available.
Free plan: Basic features.
Taplink • Advanced link-in-bio tool with design options.
• Add videos, forms, and payment buttons.
• Analytics to track performance.
• Integration with social media platforms.
• Mobile-friendly and easy to use.

Free plan: Basic features.
Paid plans start at $ 2 per month.

20. Stock Photos & Creative Resources


Stock pictures and creative resource solutions can provide your small business with high-quality images and typefaces that you can use to enhance the marketing materials.


ToolsFeatures and Price
Unsplash• Free high-resolution stock photos.
• Diverse categories and themes.
• Royalty-free for personal and commercial use.
• Searchable library with curated collections.
• Easy download and integration with design tools.

Free to use.
Pexels• Free stock photos and videos.
• High-quality visuals for personal and commercial use.
• Searchable library with trending collections.
• Integration with tools like Canva.
• Regularly updated with new content.

Free to use.
Fontjoy • Font pairing generator for design projects.
• Explore and test font combinations.
• Free to use with no downloads required.
• Intuitive and straightforward interface.
• Ideal for branding and typography projects.

Free to use.

Conclusion


In short, small companies need affordable digital marketing tools to be competitive in the online marketing space. The best free and affordable digital marketing tools for small businesses grow your business, capture people’s interest, and achieve your goals. They range from email marketing and graphic design to marketing automation, SEO, and more. With the right tools, you can optimize your marketing efforts as a small business owner and save both time and money.


Because each of the mentioned technologies has unique qualities that are beneficial for specific marketing activities, small businesses can significantly benefit from using them. These products offer affordability for small businesses with limited budgets, as they offer a range of free and low-cost pricing options. You can maximize your marketing efforts, save time, and achieve professional results without incurring excessive costs by using the right tools.


How Pixako UAE Helps Small Businesses with the Right Digital Tools


Pixako UAE is the best digital marketing agency for small businesses because we understand that choosing the right marketing tools is just half the battle; how you utilize them is the other half. That’s what we do with our digital marketing toolbox. We help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the UAE select the best digital solutions and then assist them in utilizing them effectively. Our team combines technologies to automate email campaigns, build landing pages, track customer behavior, and boost SEO.


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Frequently Asked Questions


Which tool is best for small businesses?


Project management tools, such as Trello, and accounting software, like QuickBooks, are among the most effective tools for small businesses. They streamline operations and enhance efficiency.


What is the best free app for small businesses?


Google Workspace is the best free app for small businesses because it provides everything you need to communicate, collaborate, and organize documents all in one place.


Is Canva a digital marketing tool?


Yes, Canva is a digital marketing tool as it makes it easy for you to create captivating visuals that stand out for social media, advertisements, and other marketing materials.


How to promote business through digital marketing?


You can promote your business through digital marketing tools, including social media, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and content marketing.


What is the best digital marketing for beginners?


The best digital marketing for beginners is social media marketing, which is typically the ideal option because it is easy to use and allows you to reach a large audience.

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Nasir Saeed

Nasir Saeed

CEO of Pixako Technologies ( Pvt. ) Ltd

Pixako Technologies is your ultimate partner for driving high-intent traffic to your website with a 100% hands-off solution. We understand that managing content strategies, writing, editing, uploading, and tracking analytics can be overwhelming — that’s why we handle everything from start to finish, ensuring you can focus on growing your business.


Contact us today and experience the Pixako advantage!

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