Cloud computing oppens new opportunities for freelancers. One of them is free online file synchronization and storage. Nowadays you can sync your PC files and manage your documents on the go. Share files with your employer or other freelancers. Make an online backup or roll back to previous file version. All these actions are possible with modern online file sharing applications.

Here are the top eleven online storage and file sync services that are suitable for freelancing document needs:

1. JustCloud

JustCloud

JustCloud specializes in simple cloud backup by using only 3 steps – choose your files, back them up and then access them from anywhere. This simple approach, combined with top level features, ensure that you will never lose data again, and you will always have access to the files you need.

JustCloud is fully compatible with mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android and also implements top level security features so you can rest assured that your data is safe. Enjoy 2 weeks of free cloud storage space and a host of market-leading features before upgrading for unlimited storage space and even more features.

2. Dropbox

Dropbox

Dropbox is a leading folder sync tool. Dropbox gives 2GB free online file storage, which may be increased up to 8GB. Install Dropbox software on PC, Mac, Linux, or mobile devices. Put files you want to store in your Dropbox folder, share a folder with someone, or sync files with other device. I think Dropbox is the easiest file sync software I’ve tried. It’s simple to setup and easy to work with.

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Usually two words “freelancer” and “time” go together. Freelancers can’t juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and that’s why we need to allocate time carefully. Time is an essential source of freelancer financial success.

There are lots of web apps that help track time and create reports. If you use one of the tools on a daily basis, you can turn your work into a structured schedule, get more spare time for fun, and improve your productivity. Here’s is an overview of 10 top free apps for time management for freelancers. Continue Reading

Mozilla Firefox is a real treasure for freelancers worldwide. Why? It’s an advanced, fast and secure web browser.

In the last 7 years the open source browser has proved – it’s more than a web surfer. Mozilla Firefox is translated into over 70 languages, enriched with dozens of extensions, and beautified by many persona designs.

Firefox may be modified according to your needs on the fly. With a couple of useful add-ons the browser turns into your developer, designer, or SEO fellow-worker. Today, we continue our top Firefox extensions topic with a roundup of excellent free Firefox addons. These extensions will improve your productivity and level up your freelancing performance. Continue Reading

Chrome Web Store

Google has recently launched Chrome Web Store – a dedicated marketplace with various applications for the browser. The marketplace idea is simple: install an app once and you will always have it at your fingertips on Chrome’s start screen. So you can save time and use your favorite tool immediately.

As Chrome is in vogue among freelancers, the new Web Store collection is worth checking out. There are many entertainments tools, online games, utilities and productivity solutions. The last category of getting things done apps deserves freelancers’ attention. Chrome has free web applications like to-do lists, calendars, note takers to help you work faster, easier and more efficient. Let’s browse the top 10 productivity leaders in Chrome’s Web Store. Continue Reading

Almost everyone uses social networks for personal or business purposes. Communication via social media is taken for granted. Even employers check freelancer’s reputation with the help of social means.

Today we’ll explore top apps for better social media management. However, we will go beyond solutions like Hootsuite as it is a well-known brand on the social media apps market. The tools in this roundup are easy, useful, and affordable for freelance social media experts and are rising stars you should get your hands on.

Bizo Switchboard

Bizo Switchboard

Bizo Switchboard is more than a just a free Twitter link shortener. It helps you get the most out of your tweets and promote your website, blog or your freelance services. As you publish a URL, Bizo Switchboard shortens it and makes a unique bar, which pops up to anyone who clicks on your link in the tweet.

The bar contains your Twitter account name, your message and “Follow” button. Switchboard bar can be customized to meet your website color scheme. Besides, Bizo Switchboard shows statistics such as link impressions and click through rates. Continue Reading

Facebook is a good place to communicate with friends and get new job offers. Freelancers should not miss an employment opportunity on Facebook. The social network app section is a real treasure box with multiple handy applications.

These are some of the best Facebook applications that help freelances boost their productivity, enhance their business pages, show off their portfolio and attract new contacts. Since many freelancers work with social media as experts, account managers and analysts, the list below has both apps for personal profiles and Facebook pages.

Welcome Page

Welcome

A welcome page has become a must-have feature for every Facebook business page. It’s a space to say “Hi” to new fans and encourage people to click the “Like” button. There used to be an authentic Static FBML app developed by the Facebook team for welcome page creation. But it does not exist any longer, so a freelancer should choose an alternative application for welcome pages such as: iFrame, iwipa, TabPress, Wildfire, Welcome by Word of Social, etc.

The setup process is simple: switch to your page mode, install an app, add content, images, links and publish the new welcome page. Most of these welcome apps are either free or require a small fee for a logo-free welcome tab. Continue Reading

A freelance blogger is a jack-of-all-trades. This person has writing, design and coding skills, all used to create inspiring content. Besides, blogging requires a lot of responsibility, perseverance and diligence dealing with web media on a daily basis.

There are plenty of tools that facilitate blogging and allow freelancers to demonstrate outstanding results in all spheres: design, writing and web performance. Here is a round-up of top apps that will help freelance bloggers be more efficient, as well as create with greater effectiveness. These tools will improve how you work with the blogs you own and your clients as well.

Thinglink

Thinglink

Thinglink is a web app that makes images interactive and helps engage blog readers. As you slide your mouse over an image, Thinglink shows pop-up messages with additional information – image source, wiki, videos or related web pages. Thus, a blogger supplies images with useful hints and also boosts audience interest in blog images.

Besides, your readers can share or embed favorite images with your custom pop-ups. Thinglink works with the main blog platforms like WordPress, Tumblr, Blogger, etc. All you need to do is install a plug-in or deploy a little code before the body tag and start tagging your photos. Continue Reading

Every freelancer works with tons of documents daily. We receive detailed business proposals, technical requirements, data sheets, specifications, portfolios, etc. The majority of these documents are PDF files. The popularity of the PDF format is easy to understand: it is readable on various devices, has pure content structure, and has limited editing options.

It’s clear why the PDF format has become a standard document type. But at the same time PDF file type advantages turn into its disadvantages – PDF files are hard to customize and annotate. However, there are several helpful PDF tools that edit, convert and create new PDF files easily.

Let’s t look at 10 affordable PDF Makers of four sorts: converters, printers, readers and creators.

PDF Converters

Free PDF to Word Doc Converter

Free PDF to Word Doc Converter

HelloPDF or Free PDF to Word Doc Converter is perfect freeware for PDF to Word format conversion. Select a PDF file, click the Convert button and you get a completely editable Word file. The resulting Word file quality of this little free software is close to pricey document converters. Free PDF to Word Doc Converter is definitely helpful freeware that should be installed on a freelancer’s PC. Continue Reading

A typical freelancer is an idea generating engine. New ideas spring up all the time. Suddenly, you may realize you have a perfect solution to a problem or get inspiration on the go.

To record your precious ideas there are handy note taking apps. These tools usually contain features like notes and web clippings. They instantly save content with small text overview. Thus, note making software helps to organize thoughts and boost freelancing productivity.

Let’s look at the top 10 notebook apps that can help bring order to your creative world. Many of these are open source, multi-platform, or cloud based apps.

1. A.nnotate

A.nnotate

A.nnotate is a web service that allows making text notes, adding sticky notes to documents like PDFs or images. It enables you to create snapshots of favorite websites. Besides, you can share your notes with your fellow workers. Thanks to A.nnotate web nature, you have freedom to make notes from PC or your mobile device. Initially, you set a free account; later on you may switch to a paid version.

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Honest freelancers keep their word to get work done on time. They value their reputation and their strong work ethic pays dividends. An enthusiastic customer recommendation about a freelancer’s performance can bring a number of new offers and better income.

It’s important to have several positive reviews in your profile. However, an experienced employer goes beyond these words and digs into more information about you. To keep tabs on your reputation online here are some simple, free tools that get the job done:

1. Google Search

Google

Don’t be surprised. Google you name. You may find work reviews you had no clue about. Check Google blogs and discussions tabs to see all posts. Besides, set Google Alerts to your name and get email notifications as soon as a new article with your name springs up. Thus, you keep track of your web reputation.

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Good communication means a lot for freelancers. When you work on a project with several team members, you need good collaboration apps. Nowadays there are plenty of online document processing apps that make group work on documents much easier.

Let’s explore the top 5 online document editors: Google Docs, Microsoft Office 365, Central Desktop, TeamLab, Zoho. Since all apps are unique and have significant distinctions, I will take into consideration some popular characteristics such as: sign-up process simplicity, document sharing, and free account availability.

1. Google Docs

Google Docs

Google Docs - Documents

Google Docs - Spreadsheets

Known as a web docs app initiator, Google Docs brings innovations each year. There are various types of documents that you create and edit online: text files, spreadsheets, and presentations. You can upload and export documents.

The document editing process is similar to a familiar desktop, supporting hot keys, drag-and-drop, cell merging, and image insertion. What I like about Google Docs most of all, is its auto-save feature. There’s no need to click the “Save” button, all changes are saved automatically.

• Sign-up: The sign-up process is smooth and simple. No extra software installation or account setting configuration needed.
• Docs Sharing: You share a doc with anyone and work together on it. Besides, Google Docs have public access, so you can provide a link to a doc for external users and they can view the file.
• Prices: Google Docs are free for personal use. As a part of Google Apps for Business, the annual plan for 1 account is $50 with an unlimited number of users.

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Successful freelancers know that time is money. Efficient task and time management are the key factors for freelancers. One freelancer may simultaneously lead several projects, need to communicate with a dozen of clients, and have numerous deadlines to hit. To turn freelance chaos into prioritized work order, there are many project management tools in the getting things done software market.

However, most project management tools are expensive or don’t meet freelance needs. Let’s face the truth: the majority of freelancers are budget-limited, work in small teams with multiple clients located worldwide, or are scattered all over the country. Thus, freelancers want cheap, ideally free, highly customizable project management solutions for efficient team-working.

Let me introduce 10 free, open source project management products that are likely to fit your freelance requirements:

1. Collabtive

Collabtive

Collabtive is a web-based open source project management suite. A quick look inside shows that Collabtive has all the basic features: milestones, task management, time tracking, calendar. Moreover, you can import Basecamp projects and get RSS updates. Laconic, clean interface can be enriched by paid plugins provided by the vendor.

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