Top 5 Special Software Deals for SMBs Facing COVID-19 Challenges

If you're like most businesses, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption to your operations. As a result, you’re probably looking for anything that will keep your business on track without breaking your dwindling budget.

Major upheavals in the business world often come with some opportunities if you're smart. Some software companies are offering special deals in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are the five best we've been able to find.

1. Salesforce (CRM software)

Salesforce launched their first Salesforce Care solution for healthcare systems earlier this month designed for healthcare providers who are dealing with a deluge of COVID-19 cases. Now, they're expanding additional free CRM software solutions to help companies in any industry who are now having to work remotely. They now offer solutions for employee and customer, philanthropy, small business, and broader ecosystems. You can learn more about Salesforce Care on their website, where you can complete forms to get more information on these solutions.

2. Thryv Adapt (Marketing software)

Marketing software company Thryv and others have teamed up to offer a "pay what you can afford" version of Thryv's cloud-based software. Called Thryv Adapt, it is aimed at businesses who must "rethink how they operate given recently imposed restrictions like social distancing, city- and state-wide shutdowns and shelter in place orders," according to a statement posted to their website. Thryv helps businesses use instant communications to stay in touch with clients and customers, continue getting paid, and provide unlimited appointment booking to customers. You can learn more about this software at thryv.com/adapt.

3. Freshworks (CRM software)

If your business has fewer than 50 employees, you can get two Freshworks CRM software tools for free for the next six months. And you won't get a watered down version -- Freshworks is offering unrestricted use of their Freshchat and Freshcaller customer engagement tools, which can help manage an influx of customer queries and allow you to move your employees to remote work. Freshchat allows you to keep in touch with your customers, while Freshcaller is a cloud telephony platform that can be set up in place of your desk phones that are no longer accessible. You can learn more about the free software deal on Freshworks’ website.

4. Mailchimp (Email marketing software)

Mailchimp says they are offering $10 million in email marketing software services to small business customers who want to continue using the platform but need financial support because of the pandemic. The program is available to customers with 25 or fewer employees in certain categories: restaurant and hospitality; brick and mortar retail; travel and leisure; entertainment; health, beauty, and wellness; and "other select Main Street businesses," the company said in a statement. Additionally, Mailchimps says it will invest up to $100 million "to help drive new and ongoing business for our small business customers through price discounts, product upgrades, add-ons, and more." You can learn more about Mailchimp's small business program on their website.

5. Hootsuite (Social media software)

If you've always wanted the professional features of Hootsuite but didn't want to pay the price, now's your chance. Hootsuite is offering the professional version of their social media management software for free until July 1 for organizations in certain industries (including restaurants, hotels, event venues, and so on). You will also have access to Hootsuite training videos to help you get better at social media as you manage the new remote reality. You'll still need to sign up with a credit card, but you won't be charged or be set up for auto-renewal. If you don't want to use a credit card, you can complete an application to get set up, although it may take some time to process it. Learn more about this free professional version on Hootsuite's website.

Take advantage of software deals now

These are just five of the deals out there, but plenty of other software developers are stepping up to help out small businesses like yours in this difficult time. If you’re struggling and want access to a certain software option, reach out to them today and ask if they have any options for helping out businesses like yours due to COVID-19. There’s a good chance they’re willing to offer some sort of extended trial or discount to get you on board.