The best software is one that makes your routine tasks simpler and easy to carry out, thus making your business run efficiently and freeing up time to focus on the bigger picture. It is important to have a good idea about what kind of software is out there to help you figure out exactly what it is you need for your business. Here are our top picks for the best bits of basic software that no independently run business should be without.
Accounting Software
When you first start out then you are probably managing your finances via an excel spreadsheet, but this can quickly get out of hand and is not suitable for a growing business. It is tempting to bargain hunt in order to budget properly but when it comes to accounting, paid services are usually much more reliable than the free options. For example, freshbooks vs wave – you are going to get far more from FreshBooks including better customer support and more payment options for your clients. The old saying “you get what you pay for” really applies when it comes to essential business software or services.
Microsoft 365
No matter what other rivals have cropped up over time, Microsoft has remained the best office software suite on the market. With Microsoft 365 you also get access to a cloud version that you can use on the go, and you do not have to worry about losing any important documents because it is all stored securely and automatically onto the cloud. Microsoft is the market leader for a reason.
Communication
In the age of the internet, with companies increasingly moving their operations online, you will need a reliable communication channel to keep in touch with any colleagues or collaborators. Slack is our pick for small businesses where workers can chat one on one, in groups or via channels based on particular topics e.g. sales, products, admin etc. The main reason for Slack topping the list is because it has such a responsive interface, a host of integrations, plug-ins, and shortcuts to keep the conversation flowing. You can easily transfer files, share projects, and host video calls.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is essential for anyone using the internet, but it is especially important for businesses in order to protect themselves from hackers and viruses that could prove to be disastrous for your company. Larger businesses will likely have an IT department or will use a third-party company for their internet security but if you do not have the funding for this then you should at the very least invest in some quality antivirus software like Avast. Avast Business Antivirus Pro gives you antivirus, firewall, email protection, anti-spam as well as the ability to sandbox applications for complete security.
And Finally: Marketing
Hubspot is a perfect platform for small businesses to help manage their marketing efforts. It provides various tools for content management, social media advertising and sales and marketing – it can help improve communications with your customers and fellow team members, track your goals and targets as well as offering options for split testing.