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Expert Answers to Biz Questions
Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.
Best Software for Small Businesses
No one ever said running or starting a business was easy, but no one said that a few helpful tools couldn’t help ease the building process! The digital age has graced the business world with thousands of software platforms that have made everything from bookkeeping to hiring smoother and more comprehensive. You no longer need to depend on pencil and paper to keep records and important notes—though you may be at the helm of your grandfather's business, that doesn’t mean you need to run business with his old fashioned methods.
In fact, one of the most common problems small business owners run into today is not knowing which software is the best for them. Since there are so many on the market, choosing what’s best for you can take a great deal of research and consideration. The first step to perfect software selection is understanding your business unique needs and what particular services will lighten your load. We’re here to give you the rundown on the best software in the biz.
Point of Sales
If you’re the owner of a restaurant or boutique shop, the most essential piece to doing business is being able to complete transactions. More commonly now than ever before, patrons prefer to pay for purchases with their credit or debit cards—which means your business should be well equipped with a point of sales system that can handle card transactions smoothly and swiftly.
Our favorite: Square
We chose Square as our favorite small business point of sales system for two easy reasons: ease of use and comprehensibility. Signing up for Square includes a free magstripe reader that makes accepting cards on a phone or tablet painless. In addition to accepting cards, cash, checks, and gift cards, Square also services digital and printed receipts, processes refunds, taxes, tips and discounts, and puts real-time inventory management into your hands.
Runner ups:
- TouchBistro - Geared toward the restaurant industry, offers faster table turnover with expedited service.
- Shopify - Great option for online sellers who also want a versatile POS system that can also be taken into the real world with mobile ecommerce.
Scheduling
Whether you’re scheduling appointments for clients to come in or organizing employee schedules, having an app for that will make your life much easier than any old fashioned method in the book. Schedule optimization makes timing more straightforward for business and customer alike.
Our favorite: Housecall Pro
Housecall Pro is the handyman’s answer to a call for modernized business administration. Not only can contractors schedule and dispatch, but they can also perform online booking, offer Instapay, and process payments and invoices. This subscription based program is the job management software for plumbers, HVAC technicians, and exterminators that will change the face of their business.
Runner ups:
- Genbook - A smart online scheduling and booking software perfect for services providers across the beauty, health, and art industries.
- Appointy - Great for tours, rides, classes, appointments, workshops and more. Schedule online and attract new clientele completely free of cost.
Accounting
Keeping track of budget is no small feat, and may take a few heads to properly assess throughout the year. Whether you’ve got an accountant on staff or are braving the finance yourself, having intelligent software that can handle all of your bookkeeping will make money management simpler.
Our favorite: Quickbooks Online
Quickbooks Online is one of the most popular accounting solutions businesses rely on for tracking income, organizing receipts, running basic reports and much more. Intuit offers three tiers of membership that work for business of all sizes and momentums. If there is one thing you never want to mess with as a small business owner, it’s revenue. Keeping a keen eye on finances helps to keep your ship afloat and promotes future success.
Runner ups:
- Xero - Offers over 700 tools including fast bank reconciliation, inventory management, and payroll.
- Wave - An excellent tool for managing credit card payments, payroll, accounting, and invoices.
The digital age has been chock full of surprises, and for entrepreneurs, most of those surprises work in your favor. Suit your business PC up with the best software to transform your business management from mediocre to top-performing. Fortunately most of these software systems come as subscription services, so if one doesn’t work out, cancellation is a breeze and finding a more tailored service won’t be far from reach!
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