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29 free tools to help you create marketing content for your small business

Apr 24, 2025

Creating compelling marketing content is challenging, especially for small business owners managing budgets and time constraints. Luckily for us, there are many free tools available that can help you design graphics, produce engaging videos, write and research content, and much more. Let’s walk through each category, explore the standout features, and discuss how these tools can elevate your marketing efforts.

 29 free marketing tools for your small business
29 free marketing tools for your small business

Graphic design tools

Canva

Why it’s great:

Canva is known for its extremely user-friendly interface and an extensive library of templates, which makes it simple for non-designers to create professional-looking content.

Best use cases:

  • Social media graphics: Quickly produce posts, stories, and ads that align with your brand aesthetics.

  • Presentations and marketing materials: Use easily customisable templates for flyers, posters, and company presentations.

  • Branding: Design logos, business cards, and other collateral to present a consistent brand message.

Adobe Express

Why it’s great:

Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) combines the power of Adobe’s creative engines in an accessible format. Its streamlined interface and AI-driven features—such as resizing for various platforms—make it ideal for quick, professional edits.

Best use cases:

  • Digital campaigns: Generate engaging social media posts and short videos quickly.

  • Dynamic content creation: Use built-in generative AI tools to create unique visuals or modify existing assets.

  • Collaborative projects: Work with team members to produce cohesive digital assets.

Piktochart

Why it’s great:

Piktochart specialises in transforming complex data into engaging visuals. Its emphasis on infographics makes it a strong choice for businesses that rely on data storytelling.

Best use cases:

  • Reports & Dashboards: Create visually striking data presentations for reports or investor decks.

  • Infographics: Convey statistical information in an easy-to-digest format ideal for blog posts and social media.

  • Educational content: Simplify internal training materials or customer explanations with clear, graphic communication.

Venngage

Why it’s great:

Venngage provides an intuitive platform for designing infographics and data visualisations that capture attention and explain complex ideas.

Best use cases:

  • Content marketing: Enhance blog posts or eBooks with custom infographics that illustrate key concepts.

  • Presentations: Develop compelling visual presentations that turn raw data into engaging narratives.

  • Social media: Create shareable visuals that help boost your brand’s credibility and reach.

Fotor

Why it’s great:

Fotor is a robust photo editing suite offering essential editing features such as retouching, filters, and effects—all in one easy-to-use platform.

Best use cases:

  • Image enhancement: Quickly touch up product photos for eCommerce or promotional posts.

  • Creative effects: Add artistic effects to social media images, creating visually distinctive content.

  • Batch processing: Edit multiple photos simultaneously, saving time for busy marketers.

Pablo by Buffer

Why it’s great:

Pablo is designed for speed and simplicity. Developed by Buffer, this tool enables you to craft great-looking images for social media without advanced design skills.

Best use cases:

  • Quick social media posts: Generate eye-catching images designed to work perfectly on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

  • Brand consistency: Use pre-designed layouts to maintain a consistent look across all posts.

  • Time efficiency: Perfect for small business owners with a packed schedule who still need quality visuals.


Free video creation tools

CapCut

Why it’s great:

CapCut is a popular free video editing app that packs a surprising range of features suitable for everyday video projects.

Best use cases:

  • Social media videos: Create short, snappy clips for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.

  • Basic editing: Trim, add transitions, and incorporate filters to enhance video content without a steep learning curve.

  • On-the-go editing: Ideal for businesses needing to edit videos quickly from a mobile device.

Descript

Why it’s great:

Descript is a versatile platform that goes beyond typical video editing. It offers combined audio and video editing features alongside smart transcription, making it an all-in-one content production tool.

Best use cases:

  • Podcast & video content: Seamlessly edit both audio and video tracks, streamlining the content creation process.

  • Transcription for accessibility: Generate written transcripts that improve accessibility and SEO.

  • Collaboration: Work with team members using its intuitive interface for reviewing and editing content.

Lumen5

Why it’s great:

Lumen5 automates much of the video creation process by turning blog posts, articles, or other written content into engaging videos using AI.

Best use cases:

  • Repurposing content: Easily transform existing written content into video format to reach different audience segments.

  • Brand storytelling: Combine text, images, and footage to tell your brand’s story in an engaging way.

  • Time savings: Reduce production time with automated editing features.

Animaker

Why it’s great:

Animaker offers a robust animation and video creation platform equipped with drag-and-drop simplicity and multiple pre-built templates.

Best use cases:

  • Explainer videos: Craft animated videos that simplify complex topics for your target audience.

  • Presentations: Create engaging animated infographics and presentations that stand out.

  • Logo animation: Develop unique animated logos to enhance brand identity.

iMovie

Why it’s great:

iMovie is Apple’s free, user-friendly video editor known for its intuitive timeline editing and seamless integration with iOS/macOS devices.

Best use cases:

  • Consumer-grade video editing: Perfect for those just starting out with video content.

  • Content tutorials: Easily produce and polish educational or promotional videos.

  • Integrated media library: Utilise built-in themes, transitions, and effects to enhance video projects.

HitFilm

Why it’s great:

HitFilm offers a free desktop video editing solution that’s packed with professional-grade features like composite shot enhancements and visual effects.

Best use cases:

  • Advanced editing needs: Ideal for business owners who want to experiment with more cinematic video styles.

  • Special effects: Create unique visual effects that set your content apart from standard video edits.

  • Creative storytelling: Use a wide range of editing tools to craft professional-level marketing videos.


Useful content research and writing tools

HubSpot’s blog topic generator

Why it’s great:

This tool helps break through creative blocks by generating fresh blog ideas based on keywords, making it a great resource for small business content planners.

Best use cases:

  • Idea generation: Kickstart your blog content strategy with engaging topic suggestions.

  • Content calendaring: Develop recurring themes or series that resonate with your audience.

  • Market research: Identify topics that align with current market trends and audience interests.

SEMrush

Why it’s great:

SEMrush is a powerhouse for SEO and keyword research that offers comprehensive insights into online visibility and search engine rankings.

Best use cases:

  • SEO strategy: Identify the best keywords to target for organic growth.

  • Competitive analysis: Gain insights into competitors’ strategies and uncover opportunities.

  • Content optimisation: Find related terms and topics to enrich your blog posts and improve search performance.

Google Trends

Why it’s great:

Google Trends provides real-time data on what people are searching for, helping you understand popular topics and emerging trends.

Best use cases:

  • Market insight: Analyse current search patterns to discover timely topics.

  • Seasonal trends: Plan your content calendar by aligning posts with rising seasonal trends.

  • Regional data: Optimise content based on geographic trends and interests.

AnswerThePublic

Why it’s great:

AnswerThePublic aggregates search query data to reveal what questions your audience is asking online. This is incredibly useful for tapping into user intent.

Best use cases:

  • Content ideation: Discover common questions and concerns that can become the basis of FAQs, blog posts, or videos.

  • User engagement: Tailor your content to directly address your audience’s needs.

  • Long-tail keywords: Enhance your SEO by incorporating natural language queries into your content.

Grammarly

Why it’s great:

Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that checks for grammar, spelling, and style errors. It provides real-time feedback to refine your writing.

Best use cases:

  • Error-free content: Ensure your content is polished and professional, leaving no room for typos or grammatical mistakes.

  • Tone and clarity: Adjust your writing to suit your audience and maintain a consistent brand voice.

  • Time efficiency: Save time on editing by using its automated suggestions.

Hemingway Editor

Why it’s great:

The Hemingway Editor simplifies your writing by identifying overly complex sentences and passive voice, helping you craft clear, straightforward content.

Best use cases:

  • Readability improvement: Optimise content to be more digestible for diverse audiences.

  • Editing efficiency: Quickly spot and revise convoluted sentences.

  • Content clarity: Ensure your marketing messages are concise and easy to understand.


Other super useful tools

Unsplash

Why it’s great:

Unsplash offers an extensive collection of high-quality, royalty-free stock photos that can elevate your visual content without any copyright hassles.

Best use cases:

  • Blog and social media posts: Enhance your content with professional imagery.

  • Website design: Use aesthetically pleasing photos to create a visually attractive site.

  • Branding: Maintain a consistent visual style by choosing images that resonate with your brand’s personality.

Depositphotos

Why it’s great:

Depositphotos provides a range of free and royalty-free images that allow you to find visuals that match your content needs.

Best use cases:

  • Marketing materials: Source high-quality images for ads, brochures, or presentations.

  • Digital content: Secure diverse imagery that can work across blogs, newsletters, and social channels.

  • Cost-efficient design: Avoid budget constraints by using free visuals that still deliver professional quality.

Font Awesome

Why it’s great:

Font Awesome is an extensive icon library that features scalable icons for web and mobile design.

Best use cases:

  • Website development: Easily integrate icons into your site’s design to improve navigation and user experience.

  • Marketing collateral: Enhance your presentations and infographics with attractive iconography.

  • Brand consistency: Use a unified set of icons across your digital assets to reinforce a cohesive brand identity.

Audacity

Why it’s great:

Audacity is a robust, free audio editing software that empowers small businesses to create and edit professional-level audio content.

Best use cases:

  • Podcast production: Edit, cut, and mix audio to produce high-quality podcasts.

  • Voiceovers for videos: Refine audio tracks used in video content.

  • Sound enhancements: Clean up audio recordings for webinars, presentations, or promotional videos.

Anchor.fm (Spotify)

Why it’s great:

Anchor.fm is a free platform that simplifies the podcasting process. It offers tools for recording, editing, and distributing your podcast across major platforms, including Spotify.

Best use cases:

  • Podcast launch: A hassle-free solution for small businesses looking to share industry insights or company news.

  • Content distribution: Reach a broader audience with minimal technical know-how.

  • Monetisation: Explore opportunities for sponsorships or listener support as your podcast grows.

SocialBee

Why it’s great:

SocialBee is designed for efficient social media scheduling and content recycling, making it easier to maintain an active presence across platforms.

Best use cases:

  • Content scheduling: Plan and schedule posts in advance to ensure consistency.

  • Audience engagement: Manage and track social interactions across multiple social channels.

  • Time management: Free up time by automating routine posting tasks.

Buffer

Why it’s great:

Buffer offers a straightforward interface for managing social media posts, tracking performance, and ensuring consistent posting without requiring complex management tools.

Best use cases:

  • Multi-platform management: Schedule and publish posts across various social media channels seamlessly.

  • Performance analytics: Monitor engagement, impressions, and other key metrics to refine your strategy.

  • Efficiency: Optimise your time with easy-to-use scheduling and collaboration features.

Notion

Why it’s great:

Notion is a versatile productivity tool that merges note-taking, task management, and content planning into one flexible workspace.

Best use cases:

  • Project Organisation: Keep content calendars, meeting notes, and creative briefs in one place.

  • Collaboration: Work with team members on marketing projects with shared databases and collaborative documents.

  • Idea incubation: Use its customisable pages to collect and refine ideas, integrating research and content drafts.

Brand24

Why it’s great:

Brand24 monitors online mentions of your brand and industry keywords, helping you stay informed about customer sentiment and trends.

Best use cases:

  • Reputation management: Quickly respond to mentions or feedback across social platforms and review sites.

  • Competitive analysis: Monitor the digital landscape to see how your brand compares and identify opportunities for improvement.

  • Crisis management: Stay ahead of negative press by tracking issues in real time.

ChatGPT

Why it’s great:

ChatGPT is an AI-powered content generation tool that can assist with idea generation, copywriting, and even drafting social media posts. Its conversational style allows you to brainstorm, edit, and refine your marketing messages in real time.

Best use cases:

  • Content ideation & drafting: Generate first drafts for blog posts or social media captions quickly.

  • Customer engagement: Use it to craft email responses or FAQs that feel personalised.

  • Editing assistance: Quickly reframe or polish language to ensure your tone is on point.

Savvy Site

Why it’s great:

While less well-known than some of the other tools on this list, Savvy Site focuses on providing insights into website performance and digital marketing optimization. It can help you understand industry benchmarks and site usability improvements.

Best use cases:

  • Website analytics: Gain actionable insights to improve your site’s design and user experience.

  • Digital strategy: Use data-driven advice to enhance your online presence and drive conversion rates.

  • Content optimisation: Identify aspects of your site that could benefit from targeted improvements, from visual elements to layout efficiency.


The digital landscape is rich with free tools designed to help small business owners overcome challenges in marketing content creation. Whether you’re enhancing your visual identity with graphic design tools, crafting compelling video narratives, researching trending topics, or streamlining workflow with productivity apps, there’s a solution that meets your needs—often at no cost. Experiment with these tools to find the perfect blend that aligns with your brand’s voice and goals.

Each of these tools has been chosen for its ease-of-use, robust feature set, and ability to help you craft professional content without a hefty price tag. Embrace these resources to free up time, save on costs, and produce high-quality marketing content that drives real engagement and business growth.

Happy creating!


Our list of 29 useful links!

Graphic Design Tools
Canva
– A user-friendly platform offering a vast array of templates for social media, presentations, and more.
🔗 https://www.canva.com
Adobe Express
– Formerly Adobe Spark, this tool provides streamlined graphic and video creation with AI-driven features.
🔗 https://www.adobe.com/express/
Piktochart
– Specializes in creating infographics, reports, and presentations with customizable themes.
🔗 https://piktochart.com
Venngage
– Offers intuitive design tools for infographics and data visualizations.
🔗 https://venngage.com
Fotor
– A robust photo editing suite with features like retouching, filters, and effects.
🔗 https://www.fotor.com
Pablo by Buffer
– Designed for quick and simple social media image creation.
🔗 https://pablo.buffer.com

Video Creation Tools
CapCut
– A free video editing app with a range of features suitable for everyday projects.
🔗 https://www.capcut.com
Descript
– Combines audio and video editing with smart transcription capabilities.
🔗 https://www.descript.com
Lumen5
– Transforms blog posts and articles into engaging videos using AI.
🔗 https://lumen5.com
Animaker
– An animation and video creation platform with drag-and-drop simplicity.
🔗 https://www.animaker.com
iMovie
– Apple’s free video editor known for its intuitive timeline editing.
🔗 https://www.apple.com/imovie/
HitFilm
– A desktop video editing solution with professional-grade features.
🔗 https://fxhome.com/product/hit...

Content Research and Writing Tools


HubSpot’s Blog Topic Generator
– Generates blog post ideas based on keywords.
🔗 https://www.hubspot.com/blog-t...
SEMrush
– Offers comprehensive insights into SEO and keyword research.
🔗 https://www.semrush.com
Google Trends
– Provides real-time data on popular search topics.
🔗 https://trends.google.com
AnswerThePublic
– Reveals common questions people are asking online.
🔗 https://answerthepublic.com
Grammarly
– An AI-powered writing assistant for grammar and spelling checks.
🔗 https://www.grammarly.com
Hemingway Editor
– Simplifies writing by highlighting complex sentences and passive voice.
🔗 https://hemingwayapp.com

Other Useful Tools


Unsplash
– A platform offering high-quality, royalty-free stock photos.
🔗 https://unsplash.com
Depositphotos
– Provides a range of free and royalty-free images.
🔗 https://depositphotos.com
Font Awesome
– An extensive icon library for web and mobile design.
🔗 https://fontawesome.com
Audacity
– A robust, free audio editing software.
🔗 https://www.audacityteam.org
Anchor.fm (Spotify)
– Simplifies podcasting with tools for recording, editing, and distribution.
🔗 https://anchor.fm
SocialBee
– Designed for efficient social media scheduling and content recycling.
🔗 https://socialbee.io
Buffer
– Manages social media posts and tracks performance with a straightforward interface.
🔗 https://buffer.com
Notion
– A versatile productivity tool for note-taking, task management, and content planning.
🔗 https://www.notion.so
Brand24
– Monitors online mentions of your brand and industry keywords.
🔗 https://brand24.com
ChatGPT
– An AI-powered tool for content generation and idea brainstorming.
🔗 https://chat.openai.com
Savvy Site
– Provides insights into website performance and digital marketing optimization.
🔗 https://savvy.site