Software is the easiest way to optimize business operations. What are the essential apps needed by small businesses in 2023?
Nowadays, it is possible for anyone to start their own small business. It is all about having a good idea and a solid plan; and a big part of that plan should be figuring out what type of software one needs for their business. While each business will have slightly different needs, there are definitely certain types of apps that every business should be using. We discussed this with TechQuarters, a London-based managed IT services company that has been working with small businesses since 2010. When we asked them about the kinds of apps that SMBs need, this is what they told us.
Productivity / Content Creation
There is a whole category of apps that are dedicated to general business productivity. Typically this revolves around the creation of specific types of business content – e.g. spreadsheets, pitch decks, reports, proposals, contracts, etc. This type of content is crucial to how businesses operate, therefore ensuring they can create it is a high priority for businesses. The most common apps used for this type of content creation are what’s known as office suites. The most well-known office suite by far is Microsoft 365 – which is highly regarded for its rich array of features and seamless integration. Microsoft 365 includes the apps Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheets), and PowerPoint (presentations).
Communications
It goes without saying that communication is what makes business work. Teams in a business need to be able to communicate with one another in order to collaborate. Sales staff in a business need to be able to communication customers and partners. According to TechQuarters, as a trust IT support provider London based small businesses have been working with for years, more efficient communications is one of the biggest priorities among their clients. An example of a good app for business communication is Microsoft Teams – as it combines chat, video calls and meetings, and internet telephony. For emailing, Microsoft Outlook and Gmail are both highly regarded for business use.
Task and Project Management
Whether an individual is naturally good with organisation or not, task and project management can have many benefits. When it comes to projects and teamwork in business, it is crucial to have proper task and project management solutions in place. A good example of a project management software would be Microsoft Project, or Monday.com. As for task management, apps like ClickUp, Microsoft Planner, and Microsoft To Do can all have great benefits. This type of software helps people to visualise their workloads, which has many reported benefits.
Accounting
This is a major category of apps that small businesses should focus on. This is because, no matter what kind of business an organisation is, they will need to manage their accounts (it’s the law, after all). TechQuarters have been providing IT support for Accountants for many years, and so know a lot about the different options for accounting software. Some of the notable options for accounting software include Xero, FreshBooks, and NetSuite – all of which are more than suitable for small businesses looking to make their bookkeeping easier.
Custom Solutions
In terms of apps that are necessary for small businesses, there is a certain degree to which each business will be different. Therefore, it is important not to overlook the option of developing custom solutions. A few years ago, this would have felt like an unavailable option for many small businesses. However, nowadays there are lots of options for smaller organisations who do not necessarily have experience with developing apps. Platforms for low-code and no-code development make it possible for anyone to build a bespoke solution.
