The 5 Best Pieces of Small Business Software to Keep Your Operation Running Smoothly


There’s no denying that managing a small business can be tough. You’ve got to deal with vendors, marketing, taxes... the list goes on and on. The right pieces of software can make life much easier, though, by automating certain processes and helping you keep track of others. Here are the five best pieces of small business software to help you manage your operations smoothly and successfully every step of the way.


Introduction

Running a small business is not easy. Between juggling a day-to-day operations, making sure the bills are paid, and trying to grow your customer base you're constantly on the go. The last thing you want is for there to be any downtime in your operation, which is why it's important to have the right software that will help keep things organized and running smoothly. With so many options out there these days it can be hard deciding which one you should use. This blog post is dedicated to five pieces of software which I think are most effective in the context of small businesses.


QuickBooks

One of the most popular pieces of small-business software is QuickBooks. It offers a range of features, including invoicing and accounting. What's more, it allows you to track your expenses. The downside: It costs around $100 per month and up. Intuit/TurboTax: Intuit is the maker of TurboTax, which includes tax preparation for businesses as well as individuals. The system can also be used by accountants, who can use it to help their clients prepare taxes. Its major drawback is that it only integrates with an accountant's system if they use Intuit too; if not, then you're stuck exporting data from one program into another. NetSuite


FreshBooks

If you want software that can be accessed on any device, has a free trial, and is easy enough for anyone to use, then FreshBooks is the answer. FreshBooks allows you to create estimates and invoices in minutes. They allow you to take payments online with Stripe or PayPal, as well as integrate with your bank account. This makes managing expenses a breeze. You can also set up online billing so your customers can pay their bills on their own time. If you need help with anything while using FreshBooks, they have an excellent customer service team that will answer all your questions promptly. They also have a blog which posts helpful tips for small business owners and entrepreneurs on how they can grow their businesses more efficiently.


Xero

*It's important to note that Xero does not work well with Quickbooks so make sure you plan accordingly if you're currently using Quickbooks as your accounting software.* Once you set up all your vendors, it will automatically sync with them and update all the necessary information. The dashboard is customizable, so you can organize everything by project or expense type. It also has a mobile app for on-the-go access. If you're looking for something more than just an accounting software, Xero also offers time tracking and invoicing features which are both incredibly user-friendly.


Wave

There are more features that I would love to mention about Wave but this post is already getting quite long! 

I hope this post has given you some insight into the best pieces of software for managing your small business. If any questions or concerns arise about these pieces of software or any other questions about starting a small business please feel free to email me at and I will be happy to answer them for you. If you found this blog helpful, please share it on Facebook!


Conclusion

If you're trying to choose the best software for your small business, there are a few things you'll want to consider. Firstly, what type of business do you have? Each product might be better suited for a particular industry, so it's important that you know if your company is a retailer, service provider or something else. Secondly, how much money are you willing or able to spend? There are free products available, but others might charge monthly or yearly fees. Finally, how often will you use the software? If it's only once in awhile when needed then free products may work just fine. But if it'll be used more frequently on a daily basis then some paid software might be more beneficial in the long-run.