Free Services to get your mobile/ web project started

Many emerging tech entrepreneurs often struggle with the various expenses associated with launching an online product. Nevertheless, there exists a multitude of services available that can be leveraged during the startup phase, with some of these tools proving valuable over the long haul.

In this post, we aim to highlight the cost-effective resources I’ve personally employed to kickstart projects and navigate through proof of concept (POC) phases. Comprehensive instructions on how to harness these tools are readily accessible online.

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS): A Year of Opportunity

AWS offers a free tier that extends for an entire year, providing an ample window to kickstart your revenue generation. Personally, I’ve successfully deployed numerous web applications on AWS Free Tier virtual machines (VMs) and utilized their Relational Database Service (RDS) for various clients. Beyond VMs, AWS presents a diverse range of products with complimentary usage for up to one year, including RDS—a valuable resource for database services. When devising your technical solution, don’t overlook these offerings. It’s worth noting that Google Cloud and Azure also offer substantial free tiers, making them worth exploring as well.

2. Google API: Unlocking the Power of Free Usage Tiers

Google provides access to a wide array of APIs, many of which offer generous free usage tiers. Among these offerings, you’ll discover a wealth of services, including renowned options like the Location and Maps APIs. For more details and to explore these APIs, you can visit the following link: https://developers.google.com/apis-explorer

3. OneSignal: Empowering Your Notifications for Free

Enter OneSignal, a powerful push notification service that offers a feature-rich admin interface. Even on their free plan, you gain access to unlimited mobile app push notifications and a generous allotment of 60,000 web push notifications. This service equips you with an effective means to engage your audience without breaking the bank.

4. Adobe XD: A Valuable UI/UX Design Companion

Adobe XD has proven to be an invaluable asset in my UI/UX design toolkit. It excels in creating interactive prototypes by seamlessly linking user interfaces, allowing you to experience the flow of clicks and page transitions with ease. I often recommend my designers to utilize Adobe XD, even when I’m outsourcing UI design, as it streamlines the process. While there are alternative solutions available, Adobe XD remains a top choice for its user-friendly features and functionality.

5. Trello: Your Versatile Task Management Board

Trello, with its card-based interface, is an indispensable tool for task organization. It has become my go-to platform for documenting, breaking down projects into manageable tasks, tracking progress, and reporting issues. The beauty of Trello lies in its flexibility; even the free version offers a high degree of customization. When collaborating with third-party developers, it’s a superior choice to traditional Excel sheets for efficiently monitoring project advancements and maintaining comprehensive progress records.

6. Bitbucket/GitHub: Streamlining Source Code Management

Efficient source code management is a must for developers, and currently, Git stands out as the undisputed champion in this domain. Both Bitbucket and GitHub provide robust platforms for managing your source code effectively.

7. Azure DevOps: Empowering In-House Development Teams

Azure DevOps stands out as an excellent toolkit, especially for organizations with in-house developers. It offers a wealth of valuable features, including unlimited free repositories, straightforward task organization boards, and a generous allowance of 20,000 free build minutes for your continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) needs. The importance of CI/CD cannot be understated, as it can significantly reduce the time developers spend on builds. Frequent builds also provide invaluable insights into project progression, making Azure DevOps an essential asset for any development team.

While there are undoubtedly numerous alternatives available to the tools mentioned above, it’s essential to note that this article is founded on our firsthand experiences and the tools that have served us well over the past several years. These insights are rooted in practical usage and are intended to provide valuable recommendations based on our own journey.