Do You Really Need an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)? A Solopreneur’s Guide to Hiring Without Breaking the Bank

Hiring is one of the hardest parts of running a small business. You’re juggling a hundred tasks at once, and suddenly you’re expected to post a job, sift through resumes, schedule interviews, and somehow figure out who’s actually a good fit.

Then you hear about applicant tracking systems, or ATS. They promise to organize applications, automate emails, and make hiring effortless. Sounds amazing, right?

Truth: Most solopreneurs don’t need an ATS.

ATS software shines for companies hiring constantly or managing hundreds of applicants. But if you’re hiring occasionally, the subscription fees ($50–$200/month for many tools) and the setup time usually outweigh the benefits. For most small businesses, an ATS is more stress than help.

Where to Post Jobs Without Spending a Fortune

You don’t need expensive software to find the right candidates. Start with free or low-cost options:

Indeed – Free postings are available; paid boosts if you need more visibility.
Google for Jobs – Post your job on your website with proper job schema and it shows up in search.
Local boards & Facebook Groups – Search niche or city-specific groups for targeted reach.
Industry-specific boards – Many professional associations have free or low-cost boards.

Pro tip: Post multiple times over a couple of weeks to maximize visibility.

Stay Organized Without an ATS

Even a small number of applicants can get messy fast. Keep things simple:

Spreadsheet – Track Name, Contact Info, Source, Notes, Status.
Google Forms / Typeform – Standardize applications to save time.
Email Folders / Labels – Keep candidate emails separate so nothing slips through the cracks.

“You don’t need a fancy dashboard to stay organized. A simple system that works for you is more than enough.”

Leverage Your Network

Referrals are fast, cheap, and often higher-quality than generic applicants.

Ask past colleagues, friends, or vendors if they know anyone.
Share your posting on LinkedIn - make it clear you’re looking for referrals.
Even casual mentions to clients or partners can bring unexpected candidates.

Stat: Referred candidates are 4x more likely to be hired and tend to stay longer.

Make Your Job Post Clear and Specific

Vague job posts bring unqualified applicants. Be upfront about:

Core responsibilities
Must-have skills
Hours, pay, location
Company culture

Example:

Instead of “Looking for a marketing assistant,” try:
“Looking for a part-time marketing assistant (10–15 hours/week) to manage social media, create graphics, and help with email campaigns. Must know Canva and Buffer. Remote-friendly. Ideal for someone organized, proactive, and excited about small business growth.”

Keep the Hiring Process Simple

You don’t need multiple rounds of interviews. A two-step process works well:

Phone/video screen (15–20 min) – Check fit, availability, and basic skills.
Quick task or trial project – See how they perform on real work.

Even reviewing 5–10 candidates this way gives enough insight without weeks of effort.

Cost-Saving Tools

You can handle 95% of hiring needs without an ATS:

Google Sheets – Track applicants
Google Forms – Standardized application intake
Email folders / labels – Organize candidate communication
Job boards – Free or low-cost options listed above

Estimated cost per hire: Free to <$50
Estimated time investment: 3–5 hours per hire if organized

Bottom Line

An ATS is a tool, not a requirement. Solopreneurs and small business owners can hire effectively by:

Posting strategically
Keeping applicant tracking simple
Leveraging their network
Writing clear job descriptions
Maintaining a short, practical process

Hiring doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With some planning, organization, and a bit of strategy, even a one-person team can find great candidates, save time, and grow the business.