The 5 Best Apps for Your Small Business
As a small business owner, there’s a heavy reliance on mobile devices for routine upkeep and day-to-day communication with your team. Since there’s an overwhelming number of applications, it can be challenging to determine which ones are worth your while. You must take time to invest in applications, though, considering they significantly aid in overall productivity. Your mobile phone or tablet can become a powerhouse of organization and efficiency with the right apps.
Our team of IT professionals decided to do some homework on figuring out the five best applications for small businesses. It’s important to note that not all of these picks might be compatible with your preferred mobile device.
What are the Top 5 Apps?
1. Microsoft 365
There are several office software platforms to choose from, but Microsoft 365 remains one of the leading suites for small to medium-sized businesses despite fierce competition on features and price. It’s crazy to think back to the days when Microsoft Office was something you bought as a software package that had to be installed on your PC. While that’s technically still an option, there are now app versions for Android and iOS. This shift allows you to utilize it on both Android and Apple devices.
Microsoft 365 includes the three big office software apps you’ll need: Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. OneDrive is also available as an online backup, which is worth using even if you already utilize a cloud provider. Keeping your data safe is extremely important, and there’s no harm in having numerous backup options.
Microsoft 365 includes other software applications, such as Outlook (the online version), and for PC use, there’s Publisher and Access. Microsoft Teams is also a part of the bundle, although you can download and use it as a standalone product.
2. Dashlane: Password Manager
In technical terms, Dashlane is a cross-platform password manager that’s subscription-based. Pretty much what this means is that Dashlane helps users create safe and secure passwords and then takes those passwords and stores them away in a “password vault.” Don’t worry; you can easily retrieve all of these passwords using what they refer to as a “master password,” which grants you access to your database of usernames and passwords. In this vault, you can keep:
- Passwords
- Personal Information
- Secure Notes
- IDs
- Payments
- Receipts
While it’s possible to access and edit the password manager database within the app, the software typically works in the background while browsing the internet. For example, every time you log into a webpage, instead of typing in your email and trying to remember the password, the Dashlane app pops up. It reveals any logins within the database that are available to use. You can even have Dashlane automatically log you into known websites depending on your preferences. If you’ve never used a password manager before, we highly suggest you start; and Dashlane is at the top of the list and something our team can personally vouch for.
3. Reflexion Total Control
Reflexion is a hosted email security service that filters through and blocks unwanted emails before reaching the corporate network. It also helps to identify address-sharing sources of spam and provides tools for preserving your email address’s integrity.
With Reflexion’s automatic inbound email queuing, you can be assured that your email is protected in the event of a disaster. The outbound email filtering feature protects the user’s reputation and avoids disruptions from IP address blacklisting. Reflexion’s defense is also configurable, providing the versatility businesses require to address their wide range of end-user requirements.
4. QuickBooks
Intuit QuickBooks Online is arguably the best online accounting application for small to medium-sized businesses. Features include solid reporting, customizable invoices, numerous currencies, inventory capabilities, and many integrations. QuickBooks offers four pricing plans: Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced. Along with these plans, there are also additional services that you should know about:
- Payroll
- QuickBooks Payments
- A Custom Invoice Template
- Tax E-Filling
- QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping
QuickBooks has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need to better their overall productivity and streamline the business.
5. Webroot
Webroot is a privately held cybersecurity software company that provides internet security to consumers and businesses. Webroot offers three antivirus software packages at competitive prices with similar plans of other vendors.
Offering solid protection at a low price keeps a light touch on your system’s resources. It performs exceptionally well regarding malware protection, reversing ransomware damage, and spotting phishing attacks. Being that it’s swift and lightweight, it’s an ideal companion in defending against threats. You won’t find many other products on the market quite like Webroot.
The Bottom Line
Any options on this list can aid in optimizing your day-to-day processes. That said, it’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive. There are plenty of apps on the market, but these are the five that we’ve found to be extremely helpful and easy to maneuver. Remember to review user reviews before making a purchase when searching for applications. Also, ensure the application has the required features considering most purchases are non-refundable. The best way is to try out free versions to ensure the app is useful. We’re always happy to provide assistance if you have more questions on how to streamline business and boost your productivity. Schedule a free IT consultation to see how we can best help your business.
