Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. According to the SBA, there are more than 28 million small businesses in America, and they account for 54% of all jobs in the country.
That’s why it’s so important for small business owners to use every tool at their disposal to help them be successful.
Here are 6 tools that can help improve your business:
1. Social media
Utilizing social media can help you reach a wider audience and connect with potential and current customers. It’s also a great way to build relationships with other businesses, which can lead to referral business.
First, you need to decide which platforms are right for your business. If you’re a B2B company, LinkedIn may be the best platform for you. If you’re a B2C company, Facebook and Instagram may be better choices.
Once you’ve decided which platforms to use, create profiles and start posting engaging content. Be sure to post regularly and interact with other users to build relationships.
2. BYOC
Bringing your own carrier (BYOC) is a great way to save money on business expenses. Instead of paying for a separate business phone line, you can use your personal cell phone for business. Basically, Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC) is when a business uses an existing cell phone plan from a carrier like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile. There are a few things to consider before you switch to BYOC.
First, you’ll need to make sure your carrier offers coverage in the areas you do business. Second, you’ll need to decide if you want to use a separate phone for business or if you’ll use your personal phone.
If you decide to use your personal phone, be sure to set up clear boundaries between your personal and professional life. You may also want to consider getting a separate phone number for business.
3. Accounting software
One of the most important aspects of running a business is keeping track of your finances. Accounting software can help you stay organized and on top of your finances. QuickBooks and FreshBooks are two popular accounting software options for small businesses.
Both platforms offer a variety of features to help you manage your finances, including invoicing, tracking expenses, and creating financial reports. QuickBooks is a bit more comprehensive, while FreshBooks is geared more towards smaller businesses.
Additionally, both platforms offer a free trial, so you can try them out before you commit to a paid plan.
4. Customer relationship management (CRM) software
If you want to grow your business, you need to focus on building relationships with your customers. Customer relationship management (CRM) software can help you keep track of your customer interactions and follow up with leads.
Salesforce and HubSpot are two popular CRM software platforms. Salesforce offers a comprehensive suite of tools to help you manage your sales, marketing, and customer service.
HubSpot is a bit more focused on sales and marketing, but it also has some great features for customer service.
Also, both platforms offer a free trial, so you can test them out before you commit to a paid plan.
5. Project management software
If you’re working on projects with a team, project management software can help you stay organized and on track. Basecamp and Asana are two popular project management platforms.
Both platforms offer features like to-do lists, file sharing, and task assignments to help you manage your projects. Basecamp also offers a messaging feature so you can communicate with your team.
In order to use Asana, you’ll need to create a free account. However, Basecamp offers a free trial so you can try it out before you commit. Just remember, you’ll need to cancel your free trial before it expires if you don’t want to be charged.
6. Business intelligence (BI) software
Business intelligence (BI) software can help you make data-driven decisions about your business. Tableau and Microsoft Power BI are two popular BI platforms.
Both platforms offer features like data visualization, dashboards, and reports to help you see your data in new ways.
Tableau is a bit more focused on data visualization, while Power BI offers more features for creating reports and dashboards.
In addition, both platforms offer free trials, so you can test them out before you commit to a paid plan.
No matter what stage your business is in, these six tools can help you improve your bottom line. Utilizing these tools can help you become more efficient and productive, and ultimately help you grow your business. At the end of the day, it’s all about making the best choices for your business. In conclusion, pick what works for you and your business!