You may love your job, but you probably also hate the accounting involved in it. Keeping track of everything and billing clients for servi...
You may love your job, but you probably also hate the accounting involved in it. Keeping track of everything and billing clients for services can be a lot of work. Fortunately, technology has made it much easier to streamline processes while also making them more efficient. And as a result, small businesses can save time and money with the right software. Billing software makes keeping track of time spent on projects and invoicing clients easy. There are many different types of business software available, each designed to streamline some aspect of your company’s workflow and operations. When it comes to choosing which one you need, there is no one-size-fits-all solution; it really comes down to asking yourself a few key questions about what you’re trying to accomplish with your company and how technology can help you get there faster.
What Are Your Company’s Goals?
To be honest, you should always be asking yourself this question. But it’s especially important when choosing new business software. After all, it’s likely that any new solution you introduce will come with its own set of requirements and expectations. You have to make sure you have the time and resources to support it. And goal-setting doesn’t just apply to business. It’s also an excellent way to manage internal team expectations. How does your team currently bill clients? If you can, it’s a good idea to get them involved in the selection process. Not only will it give them a sense of ownership in the new system, but it can also reveal some good insights into how each person works. Let them know that, as part of the selection process, they should think about how they could make the most of the software.
Which Tasks Are The Biggest Priority?
You might say to yourself: “I want as many features as possible,” but that’s not necessarily a smart approach. Software companies often offer a wide variety of solutions with different price points and functionality. But how do you really know which one is the best fit for your business? After all, while you may want the biggest and most robust solution available, the budget may not allow it. To avoid an impulsive decision, take note of the big pain points you’re experiencing. For example, maybe you’re not billing clients quickly enough, or maybe you’re not getting paid on time. Whatever the biggest issue is, that’s the one you should look to address first.
Be Clear On Your Company’s Unique Needs
Every business is different, and as a result, it may require software with specific features that others don’t. A solution that works great at one company may not be a good fit at all for you. When you’re shopping around for software, find out what each solution can do and then think about what you specifically need it for. For example, let’s say you’re a construction company and you get paid for projects by milestones. You probably need software that can track those milestones. But not all solutions do that.
How Much Will It Cost?
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can start getting into the nitty-gritty details. But before you do that, there’s another important factor to consider: cost. Once you’ve narrowed down the field, you’ll want to get a sense for what each option will cost. You can usually find this information in the company’s marketing materials, or you can ask a representative directly.
How User-Friendly Is It?
Once you’ve narrowed down the field, it’s time to look more closely at the different solutions. How user-friendly is each one? It’s important to keep in mind that you might want to use more than one piece of software to run your business. For example, you may want to use a payroll solution to manage payroll and a separate accounting solution to keep track of finances. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the software you select is compatible with your phone, computer, and operating system. And it’s also important to note that a user-friendly solution doesn’t always mean an intuitive user experience.
Are There Any Downsides Or Hidden Costs?
Once you’re almost ready to make a decision, it’s a good idea to do a quick reality check. You don’t want to sign up for a solution that’s not a good fit. It’s also important to make sure there aren’t any hidden costs. A good way to start is to ask yourself a few basic questions: - How much does it cost? - How much do you have to pay per person? - What other costs might be associated with it?
Bottom Line
When it comes down to it, the perfect solution for your business will depend on your specific needs and goals. But no matter which solution you choose, it’s critical to make sure the software is a good fit for your company. A poorly implemented solution could cause more problems than it solves. Sure, it might be tempting to go for the biggest and most robust solution out there. But if you can’t afford it or if it’s too complicated to implement properly, you’ll only be setting yourself up for failure.
