We live in a world where technology has taken over our day-to-day lives. Most business owners have smart phones or tablets and never leave home without them. Mobile devices have definitely changed the way we communicate socially as well as professionally. Chances are if you’re a small business owner you constantly search for ways to be more organized, productive and keep up with all of the many aspects of running a business. Just think about a few of your challenges pertaining to business operations, productivity or time management. Thankfully, there’s probably an app for whatever it is. Let’s explore the top apps for business owners which are segmented into 4 categories: calendar, productivity, finance and networking.
Listed below are a few recommendations for free or nearly free apps in each category.
1. Business Calendar
Finding it hard to keep up with all of things on your daily to-do list? If so, there’s an app for that.
Remember the Milk is an app that organizes your project and deadlines with loads of features and to-do lists. The best part about this app is that it organizes all of your tasks based on the deadlines you set. Remember the Milk is a free app available on Android and iOS.
Asana is a great app to help small business owners keep up with staff projects and teamwork. Asana’s main function is to provide a shared task list among your staff or specific team working on a project. The mobile app allows you to view what your co-workers have assigned to you while you’re on vacation or out of the office. Also, the app lets you keep up with your to-do list and even attach files from Dropbox. One of the best features of this app is that it syncs in real-time with the web-based version
2. Business Productivity
If you find it hard to simply get things done, you might be suffering from productivity paralysis. Stop wasting time being ineffective and get back on track. You can’t afford to lose precious time being unproductive. There’s an app for that.
Evernote is a note taking, free app that is full of amazing features. Evernote is available on: Android, Blackberry, iOS, Mac OS X, Windows, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8.
CloudOn allows you to run Microsoft Office on the iPad and Android tablets. CloudOn is free and available on: Android and iOS. This app supports a lot of the advanced features of Microsoft office capabilities and it also works with a touch interface.
3. Business Finance
Of course it’s sometimes difficult as a small business owner to track customers and expenses, that is, unless you have a system or an app for that. Here are the top two finance apps that will help you keep your invoices and payments in order. If you’re someone who loses receipts or doesn’t track expenses well, you’ll love these finance apps that help to keep you accountable.
Square is a free app that basically turns your phone or tablet into a cash register so you can process payments on the go. Square is free and is available on Android and iOS. With Square you’re able to accept credit cards and it charge a low 2.75% per swipe fee.
Expensify is a free app that is available on Android, Blackberry, iOS and Windows Phone. This app is great for any business travel as well as helping you to log expense reports and capture receipt images.
4. Business Networking
If you’ve ever vowed to yourself that one day you were going to get all of those business cards out of that shoebox one day, then you owe it to yourself to change the way you connect with new contacts. If you’re one of those entrepreneurs who never follows up with great leads or potential clients you meet via networking, mainly because you lose the business cards…there’s an app for that.
LinkedIn has a mobile app that is free and available on Android, Blackberry, iOS and windows phone. If you’re one of those people who log into LinkedIn daily, you’ll love this app because it supports every aspect of LinkedIn that you get using a laptop. You won’t miss anything Using LinkedIn’s mobile app. You’ll get to follow experts in your industry and keep up with your favorite groups.
FullContact is a app that allows you to get started for free then allows you to choose a payment plan. It is available on iOS and Android which gives users the ability to photograph business cards and convert them into address book contacts as well as SalesForce.
Finally if you’re just not sure about all of these apps and you’re wondering what to try first, I highly recommend GetApp. GetApp claims to be the #1 independent Cloud Apps Marketplace that helps businesses to discover, compare, review and purchase the best B2B apps. GetApp comprehensive directory, interactive search tools, side-by-side comparison tables, user reviews and app evaluation content and resources, to help them find the best apps that fit their needs.
Whatever your business needs are, chances are there’s an app for that. If you are looking for a specific solution to a specific business challenge you’re having, if there isn’t already an app for it, I’d be willing to guess that some tech savvy Silicon Valley start-up will be creating it soon.
Now over to you…what’s your two cents? What apps have you utilized that have helped you in your business?
Here’s your assignment: Determine the ways in which using an app will help you become more effective in business. Then give yourself a deadline for when you will begin using the app.
Copyright © 2015 Quality Media Consultant Group LLC
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Lori A. Manns is an award-winning, marketing, sales coach and business strategist who works with small business owners to help them elevate their brand, get more clients and grow revenue. Lori A. Manns is CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group and founder of the Trailblazer Business Academy™ where advancing entrepreneurs go to learn business growth strategies the soulful way. Lori is also the creator of Sponsorship Sales Secrets System;™ that shows you how to get more sponsors and sales for your business, guaranteed. To purchase consulting services on marketing, advertising or sales and, learn how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit the start here page on www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.
I switched to a Windows phone a year ago because I wanted the great Nokia camera phone (for business photos I regularly take and post). I didn’t think that it would be that bad in terms of losing some apps, as I don’t use that many. But it actually put a wrench in my business transactions. It’s impossible to find a low-cost credit swiping app for Windows phones. Androids and iPhones get all the attention of apps, while Windows really lags behind. What a disappointment.
Yes Frances, unfortunately some of the best apps are made for I phone/Apple products or Android.
Lori – thank you for this info. I am going to check out Asana. Sounds like it might be just what I need.