- By randy@shiftagency.com
Our Favorite Free Tools for Marketers & Designers
Marketers and designers don’t struggle with finding tools—they struggle with too many choices. Endless lists stifle and limit productivity, and it’s unclear which ones make sense for daily work. At Shift Agency, we built this shortlist of our favorite free tools for marketers & designers because they’re practical, reliable, and part of our process. You’ll see what each tool does, how it fits into your workflow, and where to start without wasting hours in trial and error.
Analytics That Show What Matters
You can’t guide a campaign without knowing what’s working. Instead of juggling dashboards, start with these three.
Google Analytics 4:
Tracks traffic, conversions, and user paths. At Shift, we rely on it to measure which pages pull visitors deeper into the site.
Google Search Console:
Identifies search queries, indexing problems, and site health. A weekly check can show which keywords are gaining traction.
Google PageSpeed Insights:
Runs speed and Core Web Vitals tests. We recommend testing both desktop and mobile at least once a month.
These three form a foundation marketers and designers can use to validate decisions without drowning in data.
Similarweb Free:
Shows competitor traffic and channel breakdowns. It helps validate whether your campaign ideas match where audiences already spend time.
Research Without the Rabbit Hole
Too often, keyword research turns into a maze. These four tools simplify the process and give you usable insights fast:
Ubersuggest:
Offers keyword and backlink data in one place. Free users get just enough for light research, which makes it a good first step.
Semrush Keyword Magic (Free Tier):
Delivers keyword expansions with search volume data. Even with daily limits, it’s powerful for testing new campaign ideas.
AnswerThePublic:
Generates questions and phrases typed into search engines. Use it to turn raw keywords into real topics.
TIP
Pick one keyword tool and one competitor insight tool for each campaign. That balance prevents research from stalling your momentum.
Design Tools That Speed Up Workflow
Design can’t be the bottleneck. These tools keep visuals professional without slowing production:
Our advice
Set up templates once and reuse them. That way, you can move faster without sacrificing quality.
Frame.io Free Plan:
This plan allows video teams to gather timestamped feedback. Clients save time, and revisions stay clear.
Unsplash / Pexels:
High-quality stock photos and video clips. We often use these for mockups and quick creative concepts.
Figma Free Plan:
Build reusable brand kits and templates so every campaign piece matches.
Canva Free:
Build reusable brand kits and templates so every campaign piece matches.
Productivity & Content Ops
Campaigns fall apart without structure. These tools keep projects, copy, and files under control:
Dropbox Free:
Reliable file sharing with clients, though storage caps at 2GB.
Airtable Free:
Organize campaigns with tables and calendars. We use it to track deliverables across design and marketing teams.
Notion Free:
Great for knowledge bases, SOPs, and shared planning.
Trello Free:
Simple boards for task management when teams don’t need complex systems.
Grammarly Free:
Polishes grammar, tone, and readability before publishing. Every blog draft at Shift goes through it.
Wakelet:
Curates links, research, and inspiration boards. It’s helpful for pitching campaign concepts.
Choose one project manager (Airtable, Notion, or Trello) and combine it with Grammarly for content and Dropbox for files. That’s a streamlined stack for most teams.
Social Sharing Without Subscription Creep
Publishing tools can feel like traps—great at first, then pricey. These free plans still deliver value:
Buffer Free:
Schedule up to 10 posts for three accounts. Ideal for small campaigns or testing channels.
VidIQ Free:
Offers YouTube keyword ideas and channel health checks. Use it to refine titles and descriptions before launch.
Keep expectations realistic. These free plans are starting points, not long-term replacements.
BonusTool: ChatGPT
Think of ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner. It’s useful for:
- Generating subject lines and ad variations
- Drafting blog outlines
- Summarizing research
We don’t recommend publishing unedited outputs. At Shift, we use ChatGPT to speed up idea generation, then refine everything with human editing to match tone and accuracy.
The 60-Minute Starter Kit
Here’s how to set yourself up in one focused hour:
Connect GA4 and GSC to your website
Run a PageSpeed Insights test and log results.
Generate three topic ideas with AnswerThePublic.
Build a branded Canva template.
Create a Trello board for your next campaign.
You’ll have an analytics baseline, research insights, design assets, and a project board ready.
Keep Your Toolkit Current
The list above covers our favorite free tools for marketers & designers today, but new resources are being developed constantly. At Shift Agency, we continuously test and integrate emerging tools into our workflows so our clients benefit from what’s most effective right now—not what worked last year. A streamlined toolkit only works if it stays current, so keep reviewing and updating yours.
If You Don't Use It Weekly, Drop It
The real danger isn’t missing out on tools—it’s hoarding them. If a tool doesn’t earn its place in your weekly routine, cut it. Simplicity is what keeps your marketing and design work moving.
At Shift Agency, we help teams cut through the clutter, clarify their process, and focus on results. If you’re ready to stop wasting time testing tools and start building systems that work