Using apps will help you keep your business on track whether you’re in the office or on the go.
These days, business is done less at a desk in a corner office and more on-the-go. Just because you aren’t in the bullpen doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with your workload. How is this possible? Well, as the saying goes, “There’s an app for that.”
The smartphone you take with you everywhere has more computer power than NASA’s Orion spaceship. It’s the perfect tool to help you keep track of your schedule, communicate with staff, clients and customers, manage your business’ finances and more. Here is our list of the best mobile apps for today’s business owner.
Organization
1. Boxmeup
Keep your business life organized with Boxmeup. This free Android app can track your packages and scan labels to pull up a manifest. It even prints QR labels that you can scan later to bring up a list of items in a particular container as well as search your packages to find a specific item. If you don’t have an Android phone but still want to use the service, it is also available via its mobile website.
2. Dropbox
With Dropbox, you can access all your files right from your phone. This service works across multiple devices and is also available for iPhone and Android, allowing you to store documents, files, photos and video as well as share them. The app is free, and the basic level gives you 2 GB of space for no charge, while the business level is unlimited. You can even try it free for 30 days to see if you like it before committing.
3. Evernote
Manage all aspects of your business with Evernote. With it, you can save notes, documents, photos, clips from the web, pretty much anything you can upload. Because your files are saved to the cloud, you can access them from any device with a connection to the internet. Other features include to-do lists, tagging for easy searching and file sharing. The app and basic services are available for free for both iPhone and Android; Evernote Business offers the ability to collaborate as a team for a monthly fee.
4. Trello
See everything about your project in one glance with Trello. You can set up board for each task where cards can be added by you as well as your team members. It’s a great feeling to see progress as it updates in real time. You can upload files from your computer and other cloud services. Other features include checklists, labels, due dates and notifications to make sure you don’t miss important updates. The app is free for iPhone and Android.
5. Wunderlist
While Wunderlist may look like just a to-do list, it is actually quite handy. It allows you to create as many task lists as you want, and when you share them, they sync up so everyone can see what has been accomplished. The app is free for iPhone and Android, or you can pay a monthly fee for Wunderlist for Business that lets you delegate tasks, break lists into subtasks, set deadlines, add notes and send reminders.
6. WPS Office
If you are an Android user, you can hold the power of a complete office suite of software with WPS Office. It lets you create documents that are compatible with Microsoft Office, syncs with some cloud services and the app was named as one of the best apps of 2015 by Google. It is free for Android.
7. My Minutes
Control the amount of time you spend on your phone with My Minutes. It lets you set limits on how much time you spend on a phone call, surfing the web or checking Facebook. Set your goal and the app will alert you when your time is up. This app is $2.99 for iPhone.
8. RescueTime
With all the distractions life throws at you, create a work-life balance with RescueTime. It will show you where you spend your time broken down by application and website, let you set goals and hold you accountable. The app is free for Android, or you can pay for a monthly service that adds features like blocking sites, tracking your activity offline and sending notifications. See a full review on TimeDoctor.com.
Marketing
9. Hootsuite
Follow all your social media accounts in one place and schedule posts for hours or days ahead of time with Hootsuite. Simplify your social media marketing by linking all your accounts to one app that will let you post immediately or pick the date and time you want it to go live. The app is free for iPhone and Android, and the basic service will allow you to link up to three accounts, while the Pro or Business levels allow up to 50 accounts along with additional features.
10. Facebook Ads Manager
You probably already have Facebook’s mobile app on your phone for either personal or professional use, but if you’re running an add campaign on the site, look into Facebook Ads Manager. With it, you can create ads, edit existing ads, track their performance and edit budgets and schedules. The app is free for iPhone and Android.
11. Facebook Messenger
With more and more customer communication happening via Facebook, it’s a good idea to have Facebook Messenger as well. As we mentioned in a previous blog post, it allows you to send order confirmations or shipping updates to customers and encourage them to reach out to your business if they have a question or an issue. The app is free for iPhone and Android.
12. MailChimp
Using apps will help you keep your business on track whether you’re in the office or on the go.
Manage your e-newsletter account with MailChimp. This email marketing service has more than 9 million users sending 600 messages every day. You can create newsletters, manage mailing lists and view progress reports. The app is free for iPhone and Android and integrates with others you might use like Facebook, Twitter, Shopify and SurveyMonkey. The cost of the service depends on how many subscribers you have, but is free if you send less than 12,000 emails per month to fewer than 2,000 subscribers.
13. Pocket Analytics
You can see all the analytics of your many sites and accounts in one place with Pocket Analytics. It uses charts to show you the statistics from websites like Google Analytics and Facebook Analytics on one dashboard, allowing you to keep track of where your business stands on various platforms. The app is $8.99 for iPhone.
14. QuickTapSurvey
To collect customer feedback, hold a contest, conduct research or assess your business, check out QuickTapSurvey. You can collect responses on iPhone or Android, manage your survey remotely and enter data more easily with custom keyboards. Plus, you can work offline as the data is stored in the app itself. This app is free for iPhone and Android devices.
Communication
15. Skype
It can be hard getting everyone you need in one room at the same time for a meeting, so hold your appointments virtually with Skype. This works great for telecommuting and keeping in touch face-to-face, so to speak, even when you’re out of the office. This app is free for iPhone and Android as are group video calls.
If you like the concept of Skype, but have between 25 and 250 people you need to include, try Skype for Business. For $2 per user per month, you can hold group audio and video meetings with everyone on their favorite device. And they don’t need a Skype for Business account, just a phone or a connection to the internet.
16. Slack
Organize your team’s communications with Slack. You can have virtual conversations with your colleagues using public channels or private groups and share files with each other. It eliminates using email for internal communication. The app is free for iPhone and Android. It offers free services for teams of all sizes as well as paid plans with more features and controls.
Finances
17. Expensify
Do you hate building expense reports? Take the hassle out of this task with Expensify. Keep track of all your receipts while on a business trip, link a credit card so charges are placed on a report for you automatically or take pictures of your receipts using your phone and it will find the relevant information for you. The app is free for iPhone and Android, but the service costs a monthly fee.
18. Freshbooks
Make your invoicing and accounting easy and fast with FreshBooks. You can create invoices with your company’s logo quickly then send the bill via email with a single click. It also accepts credit cards on your invoices, lets you know when your invoices are viewed, creates estimates and quotes, and sends recurring invoices to your clients. The app is free for iPhone and Android, but the service costs a monthly fee. You can try it free for 30 days.
19. Gusto
Marketing your business can be done in the palm of your hand with services that come with apps for your smartphone
Believe it or not, you can control your employees’ payroll and benefits with your mobile device thanks to Gusto, a web-based payroll processor that uses the cloud. Formerly known as Zenpayroll, Gusto can calculate state and Federal payroll taxes, keep track of sick and vacation time and allow you to have access to that information at your fingertips. It integrates with FreshBooks, Xero and Quickbooks. The app is free for iPhone, but the service costs a monthly fee. It offers a two month free trial.
20. Wave
Cut down on your paperwork and the headaches it creates with Wave. This app let you manage your accounting, payroll and invoices at no charge. You can create invoices quickly and easily, receive notifications when they are viewed, paid or late, process credit cards and scan receipts. The app is free for iPhone.
21. Quickbooks
The beauty of Quickbooks is that it works for any kind of business. With the mobile app, you can manage your accounting for taxes, inventory and billable tracking, use it for payroll and even profitability analyses. This app is available for free for iPhone and Android, but services cost a monthly fee. You can try it free for 30 days.
If you want to go even more virtual you can use Quickbooks Online. Depending on the plan that works best for you, you can track income and expenses, create estimates and invoices, sync bank accounts and apps, manage and pay bills, create instant sale and profit reports, track inventory and prepare and print 1099s. This app is available for free for iPhone and Android.
The app also offers Quickbooks Gopayment that, like Square and PayPal Here, allows you to accept credit card payments using your smartphone. This app is available for free for iPhone and Android.
Payment
22. PayPal
Get paid for your goods and services with PayPal. This convenient service allows you to accept credit and debit cards using your mobile device as a sort of portable register using PayPal Here. You can also link your business’ credit card and bank account for seamless transactions. The app is free for iPhone and Android.
23. Square
Make taking payments a snap with Square. It is a point-of-sale device that connects to your smartphone or tablet that accepts credit card payments without the need for an internet connection. You can also email or text receipts to customers, and it allows them to leave a tip. The app is free for iPhone and Android and instead of being charged a monthly fee, you’ll pay a percentage for each transaction.
Travel
24. Hopper
If you travel for your business, use Hopper to find the lowest airfares to and from your destination. It was named the best travel app of 2015 by Apple because when you enter the dates you’re looking to fly, it will tell you if it’s a good time or buy or if waiting a bit will save you money. If the cost of a plane ticket is too high, you can even get alerts telling you when the price drops. The app is free for iPhone and Android.
These 24 apps should help simplify your business tasks. Which apps have you found most helpful in running, organizing and managing your business? Let us know in the comments below!
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