If you’re an entrepreneur just getting started, or a small business owner looking to work online, there are solutions for you that don’t hurt your bottom line because they offer a FREE version. Great prices for your bottom line!
I am referencing apps in major areas of business of which many of them I have used in some fashion within my own business. I have found these all to be user friendly, productive and valuable.
Accounting & Finance: Wave Accounting
Accounting app that helps you manage your business finances from any place you can get online. For an entrepreneur or freelancer, it also allows you to separate and track your personal finances, too, so you can handle all of your financial management from one location. You’ll find invoices, expense tracking, reports, and more. It has its limits, of course. It doesn’t track timesheets and some of the other features you’ll find in a paid app, but for those getting started, it might be the perfect choice for you. As for you small business owners that need a more robust accounting software package with payroll features or a POS system, I recommend QuickBooks.
Taking Online Payments: SQUARE
Just about everyone has seen brick-and-mortar small businesses, from coffee shops to street fair artisans, using card readers with their mobile devices. There are several card-readers out there, but the one that started it all is still your best bet. Square makes it easy for small businesses to accept credit cards without breaking the bank, and the interface of the mobile and online app are very user friendly. And it is NOT just for iPhone users.
File Storage: Dropbox
A storage in the cloud, sure, but it also helps when you have a team that is repeatedly accessing and sharing files. Share your Dropbox folders and make it easier to keep everyone quite literally on the same page. Post documents publicly and share files with clients who have the link. Get started with a free account, and upgrade if necessary.
Booking: Appointlet
Not every business has clients that need to schedule appointments, but if you do and you aren’t ready to pay for extensive appointment booking software, you might want to give Appointlet a try. It integrates with your Google Calendar and allows clients to book appointments online themselves. The free account is limited to one type of service and one staff member, but it might work for what you need.
Marketing: MailChimp
An email marketing and list manager. If you are not currently using email as a form of communication with your customers than you are missing a huge potential revenue stream. MailChimp offers templates for easy email design, they allow you to share them on social networks, and you can track your results to see what campaign made you the most money. This newsletter that you are reading now is designed in MailChimp.
Social Media Management: HootSuite
A social media management tool that allows you to schedule multiple posts for all your social media feeds. This tool will allow you to never forget to post again and will take your social media marketing to the next level.
Customer Support: Survey Monkey
An online survey and questionnaire tool that allows you to create market research surveys, customer satisfaction surveys, event planning surveys and online polls.
What are some of your favorite business apps?