There’s no doubt that technology is here to stay. However, if your business isn’t utilizing the right apps and tools to improve workflow efficiency, now is the ideal time to consider adding a few new platforms.
But not all SaaS options are alike. This is why it is so important to break down the various types to see how they contribute to your overall business performance and how it solves a specific problem.
Project Management Software
One of the most critical investments you can make into your business is project management software. Why? This type of program acts as the hub for all things related to your most important client projects.
Team members can see various deadlines and due dates for each part of the process. They can also break down larger tasks and delegate them to individual departments, employees, and much more. There are also places to leave notes, link files, and generally keep everything together in a nice, neat package.
Best of all, project management software is ideal for numerous industries. It doesn’t matter if your team is designing a commercial building or creating a website, this type of application is important.
Accounting Software
When it comes to running a successful business, you’ll need quality accounting software. After all, you need to know where your sales are at and how that relates to things like payroll, taxes, and more. This is the easiest way to always know where your company stands financially and is key to the decisions that your organization makes.
While Quickbooks is one of the more popular accounting software options, there are many different ones out there that relate to the specific size of your business and your exact needs. Generally, your accountant or financial team should be able to recommend their favorite.
Communication Software
Whether your team is in-house or everyone works remotely, having solid communication software is incredibly important. Examples of quality communication software include Slack, Skype, and Zoom.
Typically, this type of software is meant for in-house discussions and collaboration, but not always. You might use communication apps and tools for keeping in touch with clients on specific projects, hosting virtual meetings, and more.
Additionally, communication software should be used in conjunction with other applications to ease the workflow process. For example, you might set up a system where notes from communication channels trigger actions in your project management software or recordings after a video call is automatically added to a cloud drive for future reference.
Time Tracking Software
Companies with teams of employees should consider investing in some form of time tracking software. However, even solopreneurs can find benefits in using an app with time management features.
While many people think this is just for keeping track of employee work hours, time tracking software is a good way to determine if the billable hours for a project match up to what it actually takes for completion. It also allows you to determine efficiency and find areas in your workflow that might need adjustment for future project quotes.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
Both enterprise and small businesses need a special type of program called customer relationship management (CRM) software. This software makes it easier for sales teams to keep track of customer information, such as contact details and notes on the account as a whole.
CRM software is also ideal for customer service teams, as it offers details into when someone from your company last spoke to that client and what they’ve previously purchased or ordered.
Website Software
If your business has a digital presence, then you’ll need website software. Most people don’t think of this as specific software, per se. But it does technically fall under the realm of the different applications your company needs to thrive.
In general, WordPress is a good option for a basic business website. However, there are hundreds of other options out there for you to use based on your needs. For example, Shopify and BigCommerce are two large website platforms specifically for companies in the eCommerce niche.
Graphic Design Software
Even if you don’t have a dedicated graphic designer on staff, you’ll still want to have some form of editing software. This allows you to quickly create marketing material, social media graphics, or edit images on the go.
Two options are Adobe Photoshop and Canva. While the first has a steep learning curve, the second is a much better alternative for beginners. Of course, if you outsource this process in your business, you might not even need this type of app. But it is always handy for your team to be able to make small changes without having to wait for a design to come back from an outside source.
Marketing Software
Getting the word out about your business is a whole lot easier when you have some form of marketing software. This category generally encompasses a ton of different aspects, ranging from everything from social media marketing to search engine optimization (SEO).
A few examples of handy marketing tools include Google Analytics for tracking your web presence, Moz Pro for viewing data about sales and conversions, and Hootsuite for scheduling social media posts.
Wrap Up: Types of Business Software Your Company Needs
Choosing the right software for your business is crucial to your success. Whether it is project management software or a way for team members to communicate, using the right programs can dramatically increase efficiency and make it easier to reach goals.
By taking the time to analyze how your company currently utilizes these eight types of software, you can determine which areas you need to make an investment in right away and which ones you’re already using. After you’ve added new software to the areas in which you’re currently lacking, you should start to see an improvement in workflow this year.
