Freelancers these days often work entirely with online clients and are looking to use free applications online in order to backup their work and make it easier to co-ordinate and collaborate.

Here are some of my favorite cloud apps for freelancing with a short explanation as to why I prefer it over other apps.

Google Docs

If you want to share a file with your coworkers or client, Google Docs is one of the best collaboration tools around where you can share files in popular formats.  It lets you email documents, spreadsheets, forms or presentations easily.

Windows Live SkyDrive

Worried of losing another data?  Fret Not! This powerful online storage tool boasts of 25 GB free storage space for all users with a Windows Live ID.  All you have to do is sign in, drag and drop files, and protect your folders with passwords.  Like Google Docs, you can share files too.

Meebo

Lost? If you like to connect instantly with your clients in just one place, this free tool makes it easy for you.  Instant messaging is now simpler, where you can see all your contacts from your Yahoo, Windows live, Facebook to Aim – so long as you have an internet connection without any firewall issues.  You can grab a toolbar for sharing live updates and chat.

DimDim

This free Web conferencing tool lets you chat, talk, broadcast, share your desktop, show slides, collaborate or do a conference call – without any download.  You can broadcast using your Web cam.  You can even mash up with stuff from Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.

Gmail

When it comes to faster and easier way to store and send your data, Google’s Gmail is the email of choice in productivity apps.  It’s easier to track messages sent and received without losing another message.