4 Factors to consider when choosing a small business software
A guide on how to pick software that suits your business.
For many small and medium businesses there comes a time when certain tasks need to be automated. Repetitive functions have over the decade proven to be time consuming not to mention exhausting.
As a result, SMEs have turned their attention to software in order to eliminate errors and be more productive.
Equipped with a proficient software, businesses have the potential to positively alter the trajectory of their sales and improve products significantly. However, picking the right software from the thousands in the market today is a daunting task in itself.
Narrowing down to what your business needs can help speed up the process. Moreover, setting out a clear goal for what you intend to achieve with the software in the future is a step in the right direction.
Which types of software can SMEs implement in their businesses?
- Payroll software.
- Accounting software.
- Billing software.
- CRM software.
- Sales software.
Depending on the size and the needs of your business you can go for one or all of the above. Some businesses may require an Enterprise Resource Planning software (ERP) for smooth uninterrupted operations.
With an ERP instead of getting each software separately at higher prices, businesses can opt for a suite that comes with more than the aforementioned types of software.
What factors should you consider when choosing a small business software?
- Cost.
Understanding how much a piece of software costs is critical. But even more important is knowing how much that software will save you in the future.
The initial cost may seem cheap but it is advisable to always do the math while including other costs. Some pieces of software require updates periodically which are paid for.
On top of that, it’s essential to consider credit card fees. Once the benefits outweigh the costs, you can go ahead and purchase your desired software. - Learning curve.
Software that is easy for everyone to use is the best. It should take you a few hours and at most a day to figure out the basics.
There is absolutely no need to buy a piece of software that costs a lot and has a steep learning curve. That by itself undermines the whole point for acquiring the software in the first place.
Sometimes software companies update and change workflow. Do you again start from zero? … So try your best to pick easy software.
As a business owner it helps knowing how your employees adapt to new things. You can do this by making use of free trial versions to analyze how they adapt before making a purchase. - Customer support.
Most pieces of software in the market today are very reliable but sometimes things happen. In case of unforeseen events, a company that offers good customer support is among the best to consider.
If anything happens to the software, as a business you need access to lightning fast response and support. If it takes too much time to get feedback from a software company consider that a red flag.
Slow response will gradually affect productivity, sales and eventually your customer relationships. - Flexibility.
Last but certainly not least is flexibility. Although almost similar to learning curve above, they differ significantly.
Flexibility is about how easy it is to input data and extract information from the software. Beyond that, it also encompasses the ease with which entries can be corrected in case of a mistake.
A good software should be flexible enough so that businesses can easily correct errors. Another point to consider is portability. Transferring the software or using it in different devices should be seamless.
