We all have a ton of apps on our smartphones. But how many of those apps are actually worth using? From following the latest news on social media to planning your day, we all have different ways of using our mobile devices. In fact, mobile devices can be one of the main tools for entrepreneurs, businesses and small companies.
In today’s article I want to share with you some things that will help you move from being a consumer to being an owner.
Networking and building relationships become easier with LinkedIn. The app allows you to search for people based on their qualifications, industry, job and location, among other things. You’re able to connect and stay in touch with connections, which means you have better opportunities at business deals.
The app also provides the platform to share ideas, build a personal brand and showcase the work you have done in the past. Plus, you can stay updated with related industry trends and other important news.
FreshBooks
As an entrepreneur, you want accounting software that lets you manage your books from anywhere in the easiest way. FreshBooks is a cloud-based platform that’s built and designed for small business owners, not accountants. It syncs to all your mobile and desktop apps so you can view your current financials and have access to files at any time.
You can send invoices, check the status of payments and respond to client feedback right in the mobile app. Plus, it lets you track your time and take photos of receipts to add them to your expenses. Tracking your cash flow has never been easier.
Content creation
Videoshop – Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you know how video content rules social media, content marketing and advertising now. The surge of TikTok made this trend even more evident. But in order to stand out from the crowd, your video must be top notch and in tune with your brand. Instead of hiring freelancers because you know zero about editing, we suggest you try Videoshop. It’s intuitive to use and offers plenty of features: adding subtitles, music or sound effects, merging clips, trimming footage etc.
Frase – You can argue creativity is most important when it comes to content creation, but SEO experts would rightfully smirk. All your genius ideas about content will go down the drain if not backed up by SEO. This is when Frase jumps to rescue. This AI-driven app reduces research from hours to seconds without making you sell your kidney to pay like other SEO tools do. It will help you create content that your audience is actually interested in.
Loom – The best way you can explain how something works to your clients is through video. Step-by-step infographics can be helpful but also intimidating. But a video cuts the chase. Hence the reason Loom found its place on this best entrepreneur apps list. Simply download the app or add the Chrome extension and start recording your screen. The best thing about it is that the video automatically uploads on the cloud from where you can quickly share it.
Populr – With Populr, a user-friendly one-page website creator, you no longer have a valid excuse for not having a website in 2021. The business world has been shook by the notorious virus and anyone who failed to move online and create a website voluntarily signed their death penalty. Thanks to Populr and their drag and drop editor, everyone who knows how to move the mouse, including your Grandpa, can create beautiful landing pages. And that’s just the beginning of it, the app has a range of other features to provide a full package experience.
Unfold – To cut through the noise on social media you have to have catchy content that will amuse the viewer. For this purpose, Unfold developed a story maker and Instagram template editor that beats their competition with the user-friendly interface and huge collection of ready-to-use templates. It helps you create stories that resonate with your brand and intention in mind, while saving you on time and nerves.
Self-improvement entrepreneur apps
Blinkist – An entrepreneur’s life is often hectic, and finding the time to read a book can be hard. But this doesn’t give you the excuse to not upgrade your business knowledge. Having that in mind, the developers of Blinkist made sure their content (audiobooks and podcasts) is easy to digest. Hence, a typical listen is somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes. They have a huge library and a plethora of topics to choose from. So the next time you go jogging or are stuck in traffic, turn on your Blinkist app and soak up the knowledge.
Instapaper – Although last year their biggest rival, Pocket, appeared on this list, this time we decided Instapaper deserves the spot. Why? Because it’s the simplest read-it-later app to use and it’s cheaper. On the other hand, it’s packed with features and functionalities that are more in pace with the needs of the modern entrepreneur. The best thing about it is that it’s integrated with Kindle.
Uloo – Accountability is of utmost importance when it comes to accomplishing goals. Well, Uloo gives you exactly that. You can join small groups or choose 1:1 coaching – whichever is your cup of tea. This is an app that doesn’t help you set goals, but pushes you to achieve them when you lose focus or motivation. If you struggle to keep up with your objectives in business, this is the app for you.
Loona – Sleeping only 5 hours a night is not something to brag about. Whoever self-proclaimed business guru told you that entrepreneurs must hustle day and night in order to succeed, he was wrong. Quality sleep is what keeps your mind and body going. And Loona will make sure you get it. Every night! It will set you in the mood for sleeping even when you can’t disconnect your brain after a long, busy day.
Forks Over Knives – Now that you have improved your sleep, it’s time to pay attention to the food you put into your mouth. Food is basically fuel to your body. So if you can be mindful of what kind of fuel goes into your car, you can be mindful of your body as well. You don’t want it to break down in the middle of your entrepreneurial journey. Forks Over Knives will plan your meals and teach you how to prepare them. Depending on your goal (lose fat, more energy etc.) this app will offer you the best meal plan for you.
Sales
Copper – Fully integrated with all Google tools, this is a robust CRM that does wonders for sales prospecting and decision making. Moreover, it gives you the freedom of easily managing the relationships across your business, whether it’s marketing, sales or finance. All in all, a pretty seamless interface that comes at a fair price.
Lemlist – If you shiver every time someone mentions cold emailing, and want to curl up in a corner and cry, this is the perfect app for you. It will save you a lot of time and tissues. Although the overall design is easy and simple, that doesn’t mean it’s basic when it comes to functionality. What users love most about it is that it offers so many personalisation tools that help them build warmer relationships with their prospects.
leadr – This is an app for entrepreneurs who have already understood that networking is the key to business growth. Just like an abracadabra, a single touch and you capture event leads anytime, anywhere. No more, papers, lost contact info or misspelled names. Plus, it’s GDPR compliant.
Hunter – “Hunter lets you find email addresses in seconds and connect with the people that matter for your business.” – this is how they describe themselves, and we have nothing to add to it. As simple as that. Just enter a domain name and you have a list of verified email addresses for the company in question.
Privy – Is growing your email list a big concern for you? Privy’s users swear that the catchy pop-ups and Spin to Win displays grow their email capture and campaign conversions to new heights. Despite the pool of benefits and features they offer, their pricing is still an affordable one.
Productivity
Asana – This is one of those productivity apps for entrepreneurs that make it to every list. Every remote team should have it. It makes task management and collaboration a piece of cake. Unlike other project management platforms, their interface is clean, sleek and intuitive.
Superhuman – Often named as the best email service out there, Superhuman is an invites-only app that isn’t much pocket-friendly. So why is it on the list? We told you, it’s the best. Speed is what differentiates it from the competition. Many of the users say that the on-boarding process made them feel like they’re getting a bespoke product.
Toggl – Here’s an interesting Reddit convo to grasp the idea of time-tracking for you, and why you should use Toggl:
User A: “I bill per project, so don’t waste time tracking hours.”
User B: “But how much did that project cost you? What was your profit? Even if you don’t cut yourself a check, you need to know labor. It will help you better quote projects in the future. And it’s hard to instill the habit when workload is heavier. Now is always the right time to start tracking time. #HillIDieOn”
LastPass – There’s not much to say here. We all know the struggle of remembering passwords. This app puts an end to it. Once you save a password, it’s easily accessible on every device.
Wunderlist – Forgive me Father for I’ve sinned. I forgot to finish a task that’s due tomorrow, and now my boss will kill me. Jokes aside, if you’re half as much forgetful as I am, this app will change your life. All your to-do lists, errands and more in one place. Oh, and the reminders… Don’t get me started. Eureka!
Content creation
Canva – You need to create social media content, a doc, web-design, infographic, promo poster or something else? This is a tool to help you with all of it. Tons of ready-to-do templates, all customisable. It unlocks every part of your creativity. Although, it’s fair to say the free version is kind of limiting.
Unsplash – Want to find royalty free pictures that don’t have an outdated, 90s like vibe? This is the right place. An awesome resource of high-quality stock photos from renowned photographers and editors.
Dribbble – When you’re short on design inspiration or need a designer for your idea, head to Dribbble. Design professionals hang out here, showcasing their portfolios.
Manypixels – A pool of royalty-free illustrations with modern, minimalist aesthetics to make your projects come to life. What’s special about this illustration gallery is that you can easily make each illustration in the colour you need. Every week there are new releases.
Easilly – You know that infographics are the thing now, right? Well, with this tool you can turn any boring data into mind-blowing infographic. It helps you present your information in a way that holds the reader’s attention.
Self-improvement
Headspace – If you’re tired of being disappointed by meditation and mindfulness apps, then it’s time to download Headspace. Their mission is to make the world a healthier and happier place, and I have to agree they are succeeding in it. Some may drag them for the membership fees, but trust me, it’s worth every penny. Your head will flow in a much calmer space.
Noisli – An app to help you block unnecessary noises that clutter your mind. Moreover, it works as a Prozac, without the side effects. Set up your favourite sounds, and boost your focus and productivity levels.
Pocket – Saw a good article, story, video, page or something else but don’t have the time to look at it right away? It’s easy. Save it for later with Pocket. As their slogan says “Put knowledge in your pocket”. What’s best, is that it works offline.
Audible – With our busy lives and everything going on, it’s easy to say we don’t have time to read books. However, this app makes all these excuses sound lame. Audible holds thousands of reading materials, podcasts and other resources in their library. Expand your business knowledge on the go.
Medium – Speaking of expanding your mind’s capacity, Medium could add a great deal to it. It’s a vault of world-class publications and topics you love, minus the ads and Kardashian news. Sounds perfect? Well, it is.
Remote communication
Due to the pandemic going on right now in the world, many businesses have switched to remote working. Obviously, communication is of utmost importance so we’ve witnessed the rise of Zoom – a cloud-based video conferencing service.
However, like so many other apps nowadays, they too didn’t stand immune to accusations of privacy and security breaches. Having that in mind, we’ve handpicked three budget-friendly Zoom alternatives you can use for business.
Jitsi Meet – Speaking of security, this app allows end-to-end encryption. Besides that, it’s free, you don’t need to create an account, and it works perfectly on desktop, Android and iOS. Oh, and all video calls are password protected and top-notch quality. Plus, there can be as many participants as your internet bandwidth can support i.e. no limits.
Google Hangouts – If you are a smaller team, Classic Hangouts will serve you perfectly. It’s free and its interface is intuitive so you don’t feel like you’re driving a space shuttle. And if you’re like 90% of the humans on the internet, you already have a Gmail account which is enough to join a Hangouts meeting.
Element a.k.a. Riot – It looks like users love this app despite the fact that it just got out of Beta testing and literally yesterday was renamed. What they praise the most is their user-friendly interface which even your Baby-boomer staff can master. Moreover, it’s free and end-to-end encrypted. Need we say more?
Goal management
Goals are an essential part of business and our personal lives. Without goals, we don’t have clarity on what needs to be achieved and can easily find ourselves investing time in activities that are irrelevant. In business, setting and managing goals as part of your wider performance management aims is a key part of how employees are managed and a business optimises itself for success. There are a number of goal setting frameworks to choose from that include Balanced Scorecard, Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), SMART and simple KPIs. When you’re small these can be managed in simple documents like spreadsheets, but at scale these don’t work and you need goal management software.
ZOKRI is OKR software that allows you to move from your mission and strategy to setting aligned annual and quarterly goals for the company, teams and individuals. Key processes like check-ins are managed which stops issues like set-and-forget. KPI tracking and target setting can all be done in the app as well with integrations like Google Analytics , Sheets and Jira coming as standard. There’s even a free plan for up to 10 users.
Conclusion
Developing a business is fun and exciting, however it can also be challenging and time consuming. It is common for entrepreneurs, particularly those working on their first business, to waste many hours of the day trying to work out how they can be as productive as possible.