Small Business software needs are always changing and growing. Whether you’re a new business owner starting out, or an experienced one looking to update your system, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends. That’s where small business software reviews help – by providing an overview of what is available and how it can be used in your business. This way, you can make the best decisions for your business, without being overwhelmed.
This guide will cover topics such as All-In One Small Business Software, What Types Of Software are Helpful For Large Businesses, and 6 Types Of Business Software.
What Is the Best Financial Software for a Small Business
1. Best accounting software: Xero
A cloud-based accounting program geared exclusively toward small businesses is called Xero. It offers capabilities for accountants to assist make sure their clients have sound balance sheets as well as tools for businesses to track financial performance and cash flow in real-time. Financial KPI tracking and performance comparisons between actual and chosen time periods are both possible with customizable financial reports. Businesses can quickly take online payments in many currencies from services like Stripe and PayPal as well as credit cards. Additionally, Xero makes it simple to prepare and distribute invoices, as well as to remind clients to make payments automatically when their bills are past due.
2. Best eCommerce software: Shopify
Although there are several excellent eCommerce systems available, Shopify is the best since it offers a hosted, all-in-one solution that makes it easier for small businesses to launch an online store rapidly. Users may utilize marketing tools like meta titles and descriptions, construct custom URLs, and easily enhance promotions across social media networks like as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Users can also sell products globally with local language support. Additionally, Shopify provides a huge selection of plugins to make processes like inventory management simpler.
3. Best project management software: Trello
Trello is a task management and collaboration application that supports a variety of projects, including data entry, marketing campaigns, content creation, customer assistance, and sales tracking. It’s vital to note that, while these types of papers can be attached, it works for the majority of projects except for budgeting and invoicing. It’s a handy and simple application for smaller organizations that tracks tasks effortlessly using due dates, card cover images, users, a task commenting function, labels, priorities, and more. Additionally, each project management pipeline can accept attachments like files, photos, or documents.
4. Best time tracking software: Toggl
For very small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who just need a simple time tracker, Toggl might be the best bet. While there are many great software solutions out there that include extensive features such as expense management, mileage tracking, employee monitoring, and more, many small businesses don’t need all of those features (and don’t want to pay for them). With Toggl, it’s all about ease of use because employees can instantly track time across hundreds of third-party apps, computers, and devices — just hit Start and the timer gets going. Toggl is free with paid tiers that start at $9/month for add-ons such as invoicing features.
5. Best online payment software: PayPal
Two of the most popular online payment platforms are PayPal and Stripe. Despite the fact that they have many similarities, including a processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 for online payments, PayPal is a superior choice for startups and small enterprises. PayPal is a better alternative for small business owners since it is simpler to set up and use, while Stripe gives more customization choices to suit larger enterprises. One of the most extensively used systems in the eCommerce sector, PayPal enables millions of customers and merchants to send and receive payments using bank accounts and credit cards. Customers can finish purchases using PayPal, PayPal credits, or Venmo by adding the PayPal button to the payment page.
6. Best email marketing software: MailChimp
Because MailChimp is adaptable, reasonably priced, and allows customers to add features and capabilities as business needs evolve, we believe small businesses can’t go wrong with it. In actuality, businesses with fewer than 2,000 users can use it for free. This is a big benefit for small businesses or entrepreneurs who wish to cut costs as much as they can while expanding their enterprises. However, even the higher tier plans are affordable, with the Essentials and Standard plans coming in at just $9.99 and $14.99 monthly, respectively. (Take note that the real rate changes depending on the subscription count.) However, MailChimp includes a wide range of tools, including behavioral targeting, A/B testing, customized templates, complex segmentation, and more, that place targeted marketing and other marketing strategies front and center.
7. Best collaboration tools: Slack
The Swiss Army Knife of team collaboration tools is Slack. It makes it possible for team members to connect on any desktop or mobile device, which is especially helpful for smaller organizations that do not have a single workplace (or whose employees work remotely due to COVID-19 measures). A variety of capabilities, including voice and video calling, are available on Slack. Additionally, it is simple to interface with other business tools like MailChimp and Google Drive, enabling effective information sharing between all of these platforms. Additionally, Slack makes it simple to upload and exchange documents including Word docs, JPEGs, MOVs, PDFs, and Google Drive files. Slack is actually used by some firms instead of email because it’s simpler.
8. Best document management software: G-Suite
Google’s free cloud computing, collaboration, and productivity package is called G-Suite. Because it offers a one-stop shop for all document management requirements, it is perfect for small enterprises and independent contractors. Users can quickly and simply create and share documents (Google Docs), spreadsheets (Google Sheets), and presentations inside the collection of separate apps (Google Slides). Team members can design an email account to make it appear more professional, access email, hold video meetings, and encrypt data. Documents, including large files, may be effortlessly uploaded and shared with anybody inside or outside the company thanks to G-15GB Suite’s of free cloud storage space. Owners of the documents specify how users can access each file and provide them the option to “see only,” “edit file,” or “completely access and edit.”
9. Best human resources/payroll software: Gusto
Many smaller businesses use both full-time workers and temporary or contract workers. They therefore require a payroll management system that can handle both W-2 and 1099 employees. Because it can handle payroll processing and payroll tax obligations for all types of workers, Gusto is perfect for these kinds of circumstances. Gusto makes it simple to add new employees and identify their job classification. Even better, because both categories of workers are regarded as employees, the expense of maintaining payroll for a full- or part-time employee is the same as that for a freelancer or contractor. In addition, Gusto charges monthly fees as opposed to other payroll firms’ per-payroll pricing models. This implies businesses can process payroll as often as necessary.
10. Best customer relationship management (CRM) software: Act!
built primarily to satisfy the requirements of small and medium-sized organizations. We are aware that many CRM tools are created with the robust requirements of enterprise businesses in mind, but our mission is to assist smaller businesses in gaining access to these benefits at a reasonable price point, without additional CRM integration fees, hidden costs, or expensive and pointless features. Key advantages consist of:
- Tiered plans to meet every need: Choose from one of three plans that offer basic to advanced CRM and email marketing that includes thousands of emails per month. With clear features and pricing, customers can choose the plan that’s right for them and scale as business needs change.
- Powerful built-in tools: Take advantage of relationship and task management capabilities across all three plans. Every plan includes a library of email templates, campaign management and reporting features, opportunity tracking, our companion mobile app, cloud storage, and more.
- Advanced automation: In our higher-tiered plans, customers benefit from powerful marketing automation tools, intuitive dashboards and analytics, team management features, app integrations, sales pipeline management, and more.
- Easy setup: Act! offers user-friendly onboarding processes that greatly simplify the experience for newcomers to CRM. Our dashboard is highly intuitive and fully customizable so businesses can adapt it to meet specific business needs, customer profiles, and market requirements.
- Cloud-based technology: Access business apps and data 24/7 from anywhere. The Act! mobile app makes it easy to stay engaged with customers without losing time or opportunities.
All-In One Small Business Software
1. Striven
Striven is a comprehensive software program that unifies accounting, CRM, project management, HR, operations, and other features into a single, user-friendly interface. The software tool Striven supports both front- and back-office staff and has a wide range of capabilities. The highly adaptable software from Striven is appropriate for a range of sectors, including real estate, manufacturing, professional services, and construction.
Highlights:
Full-stack, scalable, customizable business management suite
Natively integrated complete system
Detailed financial and productivity reports generated in seconds
Communication portals for customers, vendors, and subcontractors
Project, task, and time management w/ interactive calendars
Full CRM dashboard
Applicant tracking system
Inventory management
Customizable dashboards for each employee
Employee biographies and a company newsfeed for remote culture building
2. Acumatica
By offering remote access to accounting, CRM, financials, and other tools, business management software called Acumatica enables you and your entire organization to work from any location.
Highlights:
Project cost and budget tracking
Visibility of pre and post sale contracts
Advanced data analysis toolkit
3. Odoo
The integrated software suite from Odoo focuses on providing CRM and ERP functions that let companies in any sector manage numerous front and back office tasks.
Highlights:
POS transactions
Track employee timesheets
Custom invoice development
4. Visibility
Visibility is an all-in-one business management ERP with comprehensive scheduling and business analytics functions for large manufacturing companies.
Highlights:
Reporting and analysis capabilities
Engineering and product lifecycle management
Material and production planning
5. Tecsys
Highlights:
Scalable platform
Manage purchase-to-pay solutions
Multi-company financial reporting
6. Brahmin Solutions
A platform for operations management called Brahmin gives expanding businesses the tools they need to sell goods and services directly to customers and other enterprises.
Highlights:
Automated inventory management
Batch and expiry tracking
Manage multiple locations and warehouses
7. Netsuite
Financial management, order management, supply chain management, and other business intelligence operations are all handled by the Netsuite by Oracle software suite.
Highlights:
Procurement services
Intuitive budgeting and forecasting interface
Financial management dashboard powered by data
8. IFS
IFS is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that runs in the cloud and offers solutions for service management and enterprise asset management with a focus on automation and business intelligence analytics.
Highlights:
Mobile apps that are also offline-capable
Remote assistance panel
Process automation
10. ACS Embrace
Embrace is a complete ERP software package that supports supply chain, inventory, and financial management.
Highlights:
Work in progress (WIP) tracking
Forecasting software
11. Holded
Highlights:
Control payment deadlines
Automatic bank reconciliation
Customize sales funnels and processes
12. The Blue Box
The Blue Box is a cloud-based business management tool with capabilities for sales, inventory, procurement, and marketing that can be customized to fit your company’s needs.
Highlights:
Multi-warehouse capable
Task management interface
Financial accounting module
13. Ramco
Ramco is an all-in-one enterprise resource planning system for business management that aims to link a company’s previously unconnected divisions.
Highlights:
Real-time maintenance operations overview
Facility management services
Contract workforce management
14. Ellucian
Ellucian is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) information system that is designed to help academic institutions manage student and faculty information to increase operational effectiveness.
Highlights:
KPI driven interface
Document management capabilities
Spend management tools
15. Unit4
Professional services, nonprofit, and educational markets are among those served by Unit4, an all-in-one ERP software package.
Highlights:
Process automation
Project management dashboard
Industry-specific reporting
6 Types Of Business Software
1. Remote desktop software
Consider making a purchase of remote desktop software if you want to grow your company. This kind of software can provide a variety of advantages that can help to improve productivity, efficiency, and security in your company. Users can access files and apps with the help of remote desktop software from any location. For firms with staff who travel or work remotely, this can be very advantageous. Businesses can offer remote access to employees to increase flexibility and productivity in the workplace by enabling them to work from any location at any time. This can aid in boosting workplace productivity and profitability. Additionally, companies can save their costs for IT support by utilizing remote desktop software. This is so that remote technicians may swiftly and easily troubleshoot technological problems without having to physically visit the company’s facilities by using the software. Additionally, adopting remote desktop software allows firms to raise security levels in the workplace. This is possible because employers can keep an eye on and regulate employee computer usage. Finally, remote desktop applications can enhance workplace cooperation. This is due to the fact that staff members can collaborate on projects and share files in real-time. Consider purchasing remote desktop software if you’re looking for a means to grow your company. Using this kind of software can have a lot of advantages.
2. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
Businesses can manage their customer interactions with the use of CRM software. Contact management, sales automation, and marketing automation are a few examples of characteristics that it might have. Businesses can track client interactions, manage customer data, and automate processes like customer follow-up by employing CRM software. CRM software can also assist firms in enhancing their sales and marketing plans. You can use it to track your progress toward sales objectives and find sales opportunities. CRM software can ultimately help companies increase their bottom line by enhancing their customer interactions.
Trying to decide which CRM software program is best for your company can be overwhelming because there are so many of them available. Conduct research to identify which CRM program will best support your goals.
3. Accounting Software
The majority of firms use accounting software to monitor their accounts. This kind of software can be a huge asset to maintaining the efficiency and organization of your company. It’s critical to pick accounting software that meets your unique requirements because there are numerous varieties accessible. The following list of six accounting software categories will help your company:
- QuickBooks: QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting software programs on the market. It offers a variety of features that can be extremely helpful for small businesses, including invoicing, tracking expenses, and managing inventory.
- Wave Accounting: Wave Accounting is a great option for small businesses that need simple, easy-to-use accounting software. It offers many of the same features as QuickBooks, but it is free to use.
- Xero: Xero is another popular accounting software program that offers a variety of features for small businesses. It includes invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation.
- FreshBooks: FreshBooks is an invoicing and accounting software program that is ideal for small businesses. It offers a variety of features, including online payments, time tracking, and project management.
- Sage 50c: Sage 50c is an advanced accounting software program that offers a variety of features for small businesses, including financial reporting and analysis, inventory management, and payroll processing.
- Microsoft Dynamics GP: Microsoft Dynamics GP is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software program that offers a variety of features for small businesses, including financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), and supply chain management.
The use of accounting software can significantly enhance your company. It’s critical to pick accounting software that meets your unique requirements because there are numerous varieties accessible. Small businesses should consider QuickBooks, Wave Accounting, Xero, FreshBooks, Sage 50c, and Microsoft Dynamics GP as excellent solutions.
4. Project Management Software
Business organizations use project management software to plan, carry out, and monitor their projects. Businesses can benefit from its assistance with activities like work management, resource allocation, and project scheduling. Using project management software to complete projects on time and under budget can help your organization grow. You can collaborate with team members and maintain consensus with project management tools.
Choosing the best project management software for your company might be difficult because there are so many options available. However, don’t worry; we are here to assist. We’ll collaborate with you to identify the project management tools that will enable you to accomplish your unique business objectives.
5. Human Resources (HR) Software
Software of the human resources (HR) variety can help you grow your company. You may manage your employee data, monitor employee performance, and build and maintain a database of potential prospects for future recruiting with the use of this kind of software. The administration of payroll and benefits can also be automated with the use of HR software. Many of the procedures involved in managing your human resources can be streamlined by adopting HR software, which can help you save time and money.
6. Business Intelligence (BI) Software
Business intelligence (BI) software is a class of application that gives firms access to accurate and timely information so they may make better decisions.
Tools for data mining, reporting, OLAP (online analytical processing), and dashboards are frequently included in BI software. Organizations can use these technologies to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), spot trends, and identify problem areas.
While some firms might decide to create their own BI solutions, there are several commercially available packages that can enable organizations to immediately start using a robust BI solution. It can be difficult to choose the best BI software for your company, but there are certain important variables to take into account, such as usability, scalability, and cost.
A range of software is available for businesses to employ to enhance their operations. Software that can assist organizations in various ways includes customer relationship management (CRM) software, accounting software, project management software, remote desktop software, human resources (HR) software, and business intelligence (BI) software. It’s crucial to take your unique requirements and objectives into account when selecting software for your company. However, there is probably a sort of software that can assist you optimize your operations, regardless of the kind of business you run.
What Types Of Software are Helpful For Large Businesses
Time Tracking Software
Another urgent need for large enterprises to effectively manage their time is time tracking software. By documenting the time spent on each work, a time tracking program can help you manage your time effectively.
No of the size of the firm, time may be its most valuable asset. The use of effective time-tracking software enables improved time management and can inform you of the areas that demand more time and focus as well as those where more time is being used when less time is actually needed.
Software for recording your time, such as Proofhub, Evernote, Boomerang, Timely, Connecteam, etc allow you to
- Automatically record time spent on task
- Record time per project
- Schedule jobs
- Keep your projects on track
- Have hourly rates
- Record time and performance of employees
- Let’s you know where improvement is needed
Communication Software
We are all aware that today’s consumers expect quick response times and trustworthy services. Interconnecting information is more possible than ever thanks to current technologies.
An effective and efficient communication system is required to accomplish this goal, both for internal corporate communications and for external customer communication.
Every company, large or small, needs effective communication software to increase efficiency. Companies can communicate globally using communication tools like Skype, Hootsuite, Google Hangouts, Teams, Zoom, and Slack.
- Conduct video or audio meetings
- Hold conferences
- Interact and coordinate more effectively.
- Interact with customers and employees more effectively no matter where they are located.
- Make the employees highly organized and efficient
Zoom software is considered to be the most popular among all the other programs because of its ease of use and reliability. This has lately been proven during the pandemic when a great number of cities and areas across the world were under lockdown.
Project and Training Management
A reliable project management tool can be a valuable asset for your business. Using project management software, you may partition a large project while also keeping an eye on the overall picture. Using a project management software, you can segment the project into task groups to:
- Make your business operations efficient
- Improve management
- Bring organization into the matters.
- Know where resources are being invested
- Provide you with an organized plan
Project management software like Basecamp, Trello, Odoo allows a company to
- Coordinate on projects
- Share documents
- Share tasks
- Give deadlines and cross them when the task is completed
- Manage timesheets online
- Log and share finance reports
- Tracing and tracking supply chain
Training Management
Employee training is cost-effectively streamlined using training management software. It gives users
- Accurate training data
- Worker’s information
- Efficient training timetables
- Efficient training processes
- Input and track the performance record of employees
Accounting and Auditing Software
Choosing the best accounting software is essential for your company because it’s a key component of it. You can select from a variety of accounting software packages that can assist you in meeting various needs.
You must first comprehend the various needs of your business before selecting any accounting and auditing software, as this will help you make the greatest use of your time and money.
Accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, Connecteam, and FreshBooks can assist you in
- carrying out accounting functions
- Effective management of project accounting
- Effective timesheet management
- Gathering real-time reports
Moreover, cloud technology in some of the accounting software like Xero allows you to access files from anywhere you are.
Tax Software
Companies can navigate the intricate tax systems of any nation with the help of tax software. You can use it to compute and pay taxes.
Bookkeeping Software
Efficient bookkeeping programs are the backbone of an effective business of any size. It is important to have all the bookkeeping information at hand for making decisions on delicate business matters. Bookkeeping software assists the companies in understanding complex accounting data which in turn streamlines the business.
Payment Transaction Software
Automating your financial transactions can be an enormous advantage to your business which streamlines the overall workflow making the payment procedures much easier. Automation of the financial exchanges reduces huge amounts of workload and makes the refunding procedures much easier.
Auditing Software
Maintaining precision in your accounts and maintaining surveillance is crucial for the smooth running of your business. Software like Audit Master allows you to have
- Complete performance feedback
- Opportunity to work both on short and long-term solutions.
- Actions for amendments
- Past results saved for later use
- Assigned jobs for workers
- Performance track of employees
- Reminders of deadlines
Customer Service Software
Providing support to prestigious clients can be challenging since they have many different channels they can use to ask questions, make requests, and report problems.
Customer loyalty has improved thanks to the use of programs like intercom and Drift, which have significantly simplified and eased numerous corporate activities. They give a company the chance to have instant chats with customers in order to respond to their questions in real time and keep tabs on their customers’ travels.
Additionally, it helps businesses identify the most devoted clients while building customer profiles. Another fantastic tool for enhancing customer service and gaining customers’ loyalty is Mailchimp.
It helps businesses send clients automatic emails, invitations, and reminders. Additionally, it aids in any company’s digital marketing efforts
Customer Relationship Management Software
Perhaps the most ideal approach to manage customer relationships is the use of customer relationship management software.
Marketing Software
Utilizing software tools can help you coordinate and improve your work process, allowing you to operate in a very organized manner. This is perhaps the biggest benefit.
You can stay connected with the aid of deals, marketing, and general PR software, which results in more noteworthy proficiency and a better capacity to acquire and assess your advertising data. Additionally, this program can assist you with logistics by optimizing freight costs to satisfy consumer needs.
It greatly helps to have the option to make rapid and major updates to your business advertisement to be able to employ advertising software to review your business transformation data. You may do this using programs like Marketo, InfusionSoft, Aweber, Mailchimp, Tweetdeck, etc.
- Handle online campaigns including social media
- Generate reports
- Handle landing pages
- Manage sales and marketing campaigns
Quality Management Software
Another kind of software that can be quite helpful for big enterprises is quality management software. Large business operators must have effective software to conduct searches and filter information since they must manage vast amounts of data. One such example is the HQMS program. It benefits a company.
- Improve the quality of administration
- Improve communication network
- Filter information
- Conduct searches
- Assign individual and group tasks
The software can also prevent accidental record closure or cancellation as doing so requires electronic approvals. Representatives and customers can only access the parts of the framework that you have given them access to.
Conclusion
The use of small business software can help increase profits and improve business operations. By focusing on the specific needs of small businesses, you can get the most out of this type of software. Additionally, using smaller business software to improve efficiency and profitability can bolster your bottom line. With these basics in mind, it’s easy to see why small businesses are an important part of any business; they offer a wider variety of programs that can be used to improve businesses.