Business Tools Start-Ups Need
Running a business is an immersive undertaking, but technology makes it much easier. There are lots of accessible online tools that can help things flow smoothly, cutting down your workload and boosting your profit margins.
Tasks that can be achieved using software include accounting, hiring, legal issues, analytics, customer care, project management, human resources, inventory, packaging, and delivery. You can even automate the construction of your website and online store. While all these services are ideal, the most crucial are communication, online advertising, and payment.
- A versatile communication platform
Your business needs a good way to keep in touch with suppliers, customers, partners, and business contacts. Ideally, it should be effective and affordable. Your communication system should facilitate multiple email addresses and have a good amount of storage. It also helps if it allows you to transfer large files and keep track of records.
G-suite, for example, is a Google-based platform that offers a wide range of communication features. It allows you to send emails and collaborate in real-time using Google Docs. You can store massive volumes of data on Google Drive, and use Google Calendars to synchronize meetings and follow up on projects. It also has video conferencing facilities.
- A good social media manager
Social media is a big part of any modern marketing effort. It helps to have accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. You can select your lead platform based on the nature of your business, and support your primary efforts with supplementary content. Ideally, you should have a full-time social media manager, but they still need help. Of course, if you don’t have the budget for a full-time social media manager, then it’s even more important to have resources to make the job a little easier.
You can make life easier for your team by automating, and Hootsuite is a good option. It combines Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and WordPress management onto a single platform. You can post up to a month in advance and schedule your updates to go live at a particular time. It also offers a rich analytics resource.
- An affordable payment processor
Giving your customers an easy way to pay is the best way to keep them coming back. Charge.com is an award winning payment processor that was named best in the industry for six years in a row. It has enough of a reputation to be recommended by security-conscious forms like Apple, NBCi, AOL, and Yahoo. Its military grade encryption is a necessity.
Other benefits of Charge.com include its PCI QIR compliance and affordable rates. It offers a free shopping cart, as well as a collection of free services. These include free application, free set-up, free programming, and free software.
Start-ups often make the mistake of starting big. You’re so eager to keep up with competitors that you spend way too much on your business image. While presentation is important, be sure to make smart financial decisions and only acquire the tools you really need.
For more information on business tools that every start-up needs, or to sign up for a merchant account, please call (888) 924-2743 or go to Charge.com.