Time-Saving Types of App Every Small Business Owner Should Use
This great informative article was written by our guest contributor, Chelsea Lamb!
Chelsea can be contacted at info@businesspop.net
Technology has been a game-changer for small business owners and other entrepreneurs. This is nothing new, of course: technological innovation has always influenced business development and vice versa. But one thing that has altered the entire terrain of business today is the ready availability of apps and other tools that allow small business owners to be more efficient and productive while also getting more free time to themselves. Plackett Enterprises LLC presents some of the apps you ought to be using in your business, to make the most of your time and keep processes running smoothly.
Communication apps.
Communication, both internally and externally, is key for the success of your business. So don’t rely on outmoded methods to keep your teams connected, or to keep customers up to date. Look into apps like Slack, Skype, and Zoom, that can facilitate rapid and efficient communication, especially if you’re collaborating with remote workers. You can also use Google docs for easy and free collaboration with multiple parties if you’re all working on the same project or need to access the same information.
Accounting and finance apps.
Trying to keep up with your business accounts the old-fashioned way is an exercise in frustration. And it can suck up nearly all your time. So, save yourself some time and some headaches by utilizing apps that will help keep up with the financial side of your business for you. Look for apps like QuickBooks or Xero that can be used easily on different devices and be tailored to your company’s needs. This can make an enormous difference not only in time management: apps will help you avoid making costly errors that could get your company into trouble.
Time tracking apps.
Tracking your and your employees’ hours is important for a variety of reasons, including managing payroll and tracking project efficiency. While it’s important to respect your employees’ privacy and autonomy, and not use tracking apps to violate that, nevertheless, your team members will probably prefer to have access to these tools, as an alternative to the nuisance of trying to track and log their own time. It will save time and annoyance for everyone.
Payment management apps.
Whether you are running an online store or not, so much payment happens online these days, you can’t afford not to have apps to help manage payments, whether someone is buying from you, or you are buying from someone else. A good payment managing app will also help you with your budgeting, accounting, and payroll. It can also help you manage lists of vendors or clients.
Cybersecurity apps.
Cybersecurity is a hot topic for entrepreneurs and pretty much everyone else these days. So if you want your small business to be trusted, and taken seriously, you need to invest in it. Cybersecurity applications like Wireshark or Nmap will help you monitor suspicious activity and audit your system’s security. You can also use an app like LastPass when you need to manage passwords safely and securely.
Mobile scanning apps.
Copying, recording, sending, and saving information happens all the time in business. And it takes up a lot of time, as well. You can streamline these processes and also keep data organized if you make a habit of using a mobile scanning app that will allow you to scan documents or images with your device, then send them or store them as needed. Adobe Scan, Genius Scan, and Microsoft Office Lens are all great choices for a small business owner.
The more you tap into technology for your business practices, the more comfortable you will get with it. And hopefully, you will find your company running more smoothly, with less stress for yourself.
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