By James Wignall
Want to supercharge your business in 2018? It’s crucial to stay up to date with the latest technology, to ensure your small business becomes more successful. Having the right tools at your fingertips can make sure you consistently beat your goals.
Numerous online tools may promise to increase your productivity. But, you need to make the right choice for your business, helping you work smarter, not harder. Let us save you the time and hassle. Here is a list of five of our favorite productivity tools to take your small business to the next level.
1. Basecamp
Basecamp excels in everything a small business owner would need. Software that’s user-friendly, simple to use with advanced functionality doesn’t come along too often. Not surprising, as it’s stood the test of time. Basecamp is still going strong even after ten years.
The dashboard allows you to see a snapshot to view all your projects. You can highlight the most important ones to track, drawing your attention to a few high priority projects. A calendar tab can display deadlines and other important events like vacation reminders.
Basecamp is ideal if you have a multi-faceted project with tasks shared by a large team. The task management features allow you to easily organize the chaos. A task can be added in a few clicks. You can assign tasks to a team member, and set a deadline. Notes can be added, and files uploaded for the task. Templates can be made for recurring projects, which can be re-used, saving you time. Completed projects can also be archived.
Basecamp supports over 20 apps, which add useful functionality, like generating reports or syncing with Outlook.
Basecamp works on both Android and iPhone devices, and provides a free, no obligation, 30-day trial, with no credit card required. There’s a no-fuss pricing plan, $99 per month, for unlimited users and unlimited projects.
2. Evernote
Evernote boasts a wide range of functionality designed to improve your efficiency in taking notes. This means you have the ability to organize your projects in a more intuitive way.
You can take notes in multiple formats, such as text, audio, videos, images, and a whole lot of other file types. Notes can be used to write, and keep all your important ideas in one central place. To-do lists can be used to mark off tasks, as and when they are completed. You could even use it to manage projects.
With Evernote, losing your important business notes will now be a thing of the past. Why? This app can easily sync across multiple devices. So, even if you lose your mobile device, your important notes will still be on your laptop.
Platforms supported include iOS and Android.
Evernote is free for basic usage. For more advanced features, the premium account is $5 per user per month.
3. Xero
If you need accounting software, look no further. Xero is a market leading financial collaboration app. This web-based software is designed to meet the requirements of most small- and medium-sized businesses.
Xero is friendly and usable. With an accounting system that works in line with your business’s rules and priorities. Budget management can be completed in a way to match your goals and long-term missions.
With powerful accounting features, you can see your financial transactions at a glance. From a simple screen, you can see real time cash flow, design new invoices, invoice your clients, view multi-currency transactions, and perform stock control. Integration with third party apps are another useful addition, to help manage your inventory, payments, invoicing, time tracking, payroll, CRM, etc.
After 30 days, the paid plans begin at $9 per month.
4. GoodHire
As a small business owner, it’s crucial to hire only the most talented and competent candidates that are qualified for the job. GoodHire’s platform transforms labor intensive background checks into an efficient, automated process. This award-winning software simplifies background checks.
It’s suitable for all businesses who simply need to take the hassle out of hiring quality staff. Modern technology delivers blazingly fast and accurate employment screening. Other features include: credit score checks, international checks, peer-to-peer screening, personal background checks, drug screening.
Although the software is lightweight, it’s built to be fully optimal on both mobile and browser-based devices. As such, it can easily be incorporated into your current systems.
Basic background screening checks are priced at $29.99.
5. HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is one of the top
Navigation of the user interface is easy and intuitive. You’re able to monitor customer communication through various channels (for example, email, phone calls and meetings).
Surprisingly, HubSpot’s main features and integrations are all offered at no cost. So, you can start capturing and tracking customers from your website, for free. This includes: lead flows and analytics, contact management/activity, company insights as well as a large variety of integrations with third party products.
HubSpot has different pricing plans for advanced features. For example, the $42 per month Starter Plan includes: meetings, content creation, messages, and email marketing.
Productivity tools like these are vital for busy small business owners. Check out the best office productivity tools, technology tools, collaboration tools, social media tools, and online business tools, too!