A 2022 study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that 94% of small business owners use tech to run their businesses better. Those who used six or more business management apps saw profits go up by 84%. Sales increased by 82%, and 74% had to hire more staff to meet demand.
Using small business productivity apps saves time and money. It also helps increase sales and keep customers coming back. This article will look at the top 10 apps for small business owners. These apps help boost productivity, streamline operations, and grow your company.
Key Takeaways
- 94% of small business owners find that using the right tech and tools helps them run their businesses more efficiently.
- 84% of owners who adopted six or more business management apps reported a higher increase in profits.
- 82% of small business owners saw an increase in sales by using multiple small business productivity apps.
- 74% of small business owners had to grow their team to keep up with growing demands after adopting various apps for small business owners.
- Incorporating the right essential apps for startups can save time, money, and contribute to increased sales and customer retention.
Best Point of Sale (POS) App
A reliable Point of Sale (POS) system is key for a successful small business. Square’s POS system is a top choice. It’s easy to use and works well in many industries like retail, restaurants, and services. The free app and card reader let you track sales and manage money easily, keeping costs down.
Key Features of a Good POS App
When picking the best best pos app for your business, look for these key features:
- Easy-to-use interface for smooth transactions
- Mobile-friendly for sales anywhere
- Clear and flexible pricing
- Works with other business tools like accounting and inventory
Top POS App Recommendations
Other great top pos app recommendations for small businesses are:
- Shopify Retail POS
- Clover POS
- Toast POS
These essential pos features and top apps can make your business run smoother. They also make checking out easy for your customers.
“Choosing the right POS system is crucial for small businesses to manage sales, inventory, and customer data effectively.”
Best Accounting App
For small businesses, managing finances and accounting is key. QuickBooks Online leads in this area with its top-notch accounting software. It offers income and expense tracking, invoicing, and detailed reporting. Plus, it’s well-known in the industry. The mobile app lets you manage finances from anywhere.
Core Accounting Features to Look For
When picking an accounting app for your small business, make sure it has these key features:
- Income and expense tracking
- Invoicing capabilities
- Comprehensive financial reporting
- Integration with other business tools
QuickBooks Online stands out by offering all these features. It’s a top pick for small businesses. With prices starting at $30 a month and a 50% discount for the first three months, it fits many budgets.
| Accounting App | Starting Price | Ratings | Free Trial | Promotions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | $30/month | 4.5/5 | 30 days | 50% off for 3 months |
| Xero | $15/month | 4.0/5 | 30 days | Monthly discount |
| Zoho Books | $0/month | 4.0/5 | 14 days | N/A |
| FreshBooks | $19/month | 4.5/5 | 30 days | 30% off for 4 months |
| Wave Accounting | $0/month | 4.0/5 | N/A | $8/month for receipt scanning |
The best accounting app for your small business depends on your needs and budget. QuickBooks Online is a top choice with its strong features, mobile access, and solid reputation.
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Best Payroll App
Managing payroll is key for small business owners. The right app can make a big difference. Gusto is a top choice, known for its great payroll services and HR tools. It has a special app called Gusto Wallet that lets employees see their paychecks and set savings goals on their phones.
Gusto offers full-service payroll in all 50 states and has online and phone support. It’s easy to use and helps avoid mistakes by doing tax calculations automatically. You can easily add new employees, manage benefits, and make sure payroll is done right and on time.
- Dedicated app for employees with features like paystub viewing and savings goals
- Handles full-service payroll across all 50 states
- Offers online and phone support for small businesses
- Automates tax calculations and other payroll tasks to save time
- Integrates HR tools for streamlined employee management
For small businesses, finding the best payroll app is important. Gusto is a great choice because it’s easy to use and has many features. It’s perfect for small business owners who want to make payroll easier and keep their team happy.
Best Invoicing App
In the world of small business, invoicing is key. Seven top apps stand out for their invoicing skills: HoneyBook, Square, Invoicely, PayPal, Stripe, FreshBooks, and Zoho.
Essential Invoicing Features
Top invoicing apps have features that make invoicing easy. They let you create professional invoices, accept many payment types, and work with accounting software. You can also track invoices and payments easily.
Features like automated payment reminders and mobile access make invoicing better. HoneyBook offers plans from $16 to $66 a month. It has invoices, payment tracking, automation, and priority support.
Invoicely has plans from free to $29.99 a month. It offers unlimited invoices, saved clients, and more team members.
PayPal is a big name in payments and has made a mark in invoicing too. It made over $27.5 billion in revenue in 2022. Its invoicing tools and wide recognition make it a great choice for small businesses.
Choosing the best invoicing app means looking at ease of use, pricing, and more. Small business owners can find the best invoicing app that fits their needs and budget.
Best Expense Tracking App
For small business owners, tracking expenses is key. Luckily, there are many apps to help with this. Xero, an accounting software, is great for tracking expenses, especially in the Established plan.
With Xero, you can easily track mileage, approve employee expenses, and document receipts with photos. Employees can use the Xero Me app to send in expenses from their phones. This makes tracking expenses smooth and easy.
Why Expense Tracking is Crucial
Tracking expenses right is vital for small businesses. It helps manage cash flow, file taxes accurately, and understand spending. Using a strong app like Xero lets business owners:
- Watch spending and find ways to save
- Make the reimbursement process for employees easier
- Follow tax rules with detailed records
- Understand their company’s financial health better
Choosing a top best expense tracking app makes managing expenses easier. It also gives valuable insights. This helps small businesses make smart financial choices and improve their operations.
| App | Pricing | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Xero | $15 – $78/month | Mileage tracking, receipt capture, employee expense approvals |
| QuickBooks Online | $30 – $200/month | Automated expense categorization, custom rules, bank reconciliation |
| FreshBooks | $19 – $60/month | Detailed expense reports, mileage tracking, time tracking |
“Effective expense tracking is the backbone of any successful small business. It provides the visibility and control needed to make informed financial decisions and ensure long-term sustainability.”
Other Notable Small Business Apps
While the top apps for point-of-sale, accounting, and invoicing are great for most small businesses, there are more apps worth looking at. For instance, Shopify Retail POS is perfect for retail businesses that sell mostly online. Toast POS is designed for restaurants, with features like ordering at the table.
Apps like Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and Wave are great for accounting and invoicing. They might be a better choice for some small businesses. For scheduling, tracking time, and HR tasks, When I Work and Homebase are very useful.
When picking other small business apps and industry-specific apps, it’s important to think about what your business really needs. Look for tools that make your work easier, increase productivity, and improve customer service. There are many powerful apps out there that can meet your specific needs.
Many small teams also find value in Google’s productivity tools. Gmail, Google Chat, Google Calendar, and Google Keep are great for communication, managing tasks, and working together. Project management tools like Trello, Asana, and ClickUp help small businesses stay organized and on track.
The goal is to check out the many other small business apps and industry-specific apps out there. Find the ones that fit your business best. Using the right mobile tools can make your operations smoother, increase productivity, and give your customers a great experience.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Apps
Choosing the right apps for your small business is key. Think about your budget and how much apps cost. Also, consider how well they can grow with your business.
Budget and Pricing
Look for a good balance between upfront and ongoing costs for app pricing. Think about how much value each app brings to your business. Consumer spending in app marketplaces reached $171 billion in 2023. So, it’s vital to spend wisely.
- Check if the pricing fits your business’s needs and future growth.
- Apps with free trials or freemium models are good for testing before paying.
- Know the average cost to make the app you want, which can be $50 to $250 per hour in the U.S.
Scalability and Growth Potential
Your business will grow, and the apps you pick should too. Find solutions that offer more plans or features as you expand. This way, your tech stays up to date with your business.
- See if the app can handle more users, data, and features as your business grows.
- Make sure the app works well with your current tools and systems for smooth workflow.
- Think about how long the app will last and the developer’s support and updates.
By looking at budget, pricing, and scalability, you can pick apps that help your small business grow and succeed.
best apps for small business
Small businesses need more than just basic apps like POS systems, accounting, and payroll. There are many apps that boost productivity and help with organization. These apps have features like Kanban boards, task automation, and team collaboration. They make workflows smoother and help businesses do more.
Trello: Flexible Project Management
Trello is a well-known app for managing projects with a Kanban style. It lets teams see their work, work together, and keep track of tasks. With its easy drag-and-drop interface, small businesses can set up boards, lists, and cards for projects. They can assign tasks and track progress.
There are over 200 integrations with apps like Asana, Salesforce, and Google Calendar to make Trello even better.
Asana: Streamlined Task Management
Asana is a strong tool for managing projects. It helps small businesses plan, organize, and track their work in one spot. Asana keeps teams focused, helps them work together well, and reach their goals.
It has over 200 native integrations. This means it works well with many other apps that small businesses use.
ClickUp: All-in-One Productivity Suite
ClickUp is an all-in-one platform for productivity. It includes project management, document collaboration, and task tracking in one place. Small businesses can use ClickUp to organize their work, automate tasks, and boost team productivity.
ClickUp works well with many business tools, from cloud storage to communication platforms.
“We’ve been using ClickUp for over a year, and it has completely transformed the way our small team collaborates and gets things done. The app’s intuitive interface and powerful features have been a game-changer for our business.”
– John Doe, Owner of ABC Consulting
Integration and Compatibility
Choosing the right apps for your small business means making sure they work well together. Look for apps that make it easy to link your Point of Sale (POS), accounting, payroll, and other key business tools. This creates a smooth, efficient way of working.
It’s also important that apps work on different devices and systems. This lets you and your team get to business data and tools from anywhere. You can use a desktop, tablet, or smartphone without any trouble.
| App | Integration Features | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| RingCentral Video Pro | Seamless integration with popular productivity tools like Google Suite, Microsoft 365, and Slack | Works across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, providing HD video meetings for up to 100 participants |
| Google Drive | Integrates with G Suite apps, Microsoft Office, and various third-party tools | Accessible on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices, with generous free storage for small businesses |
| Microsoft OneDrive | Tightly integrated with Microsoft 365, allowing easy file sharing and collaboration | Provides 1 TB of storage per user for businesses already using Microsoft 365 |
By focusing on app integration and compatibility, you can build a powerful, efficient system for your small business. This makes sure your team can easily get to important info. It helps streamline your work and boosts productivity.
“Seamless integration between our business apps has been a game-changer. It’s allowed us to work more efficiently and collaborate better as a team.”
– John Doe, Small Business Owner
Conclusion
Small business owners have a lot to handle, but the right apps can change everything. They help make things run smoother, increase productivity, and help you grow. By looking at what you need, how much you can spend, and how big you want to get, you can pick the best apps for your business.
These apps, from POS and accounting to project management and productivity tools, lay a solid base for small businesses to succeed. They make it easier to manage your work and keep up with the competition.
With more people working remotely or in hybrid setups, mobile apps for small businesses are more crucial than ever. People use their mobile devices for about 4 hours and 30 minutes a day. This means using mobile apps to connect with customers and stay ahead is key.
Use technology to automate tasks and save time. This lets you focus on what really matters: making money and growing your business. With the best apps for small businesses, you can make your operations smoother, work more efficiently, and set your company up for success in a fast-changing market.
FAQ
What are the top essential apps for small business owners?
Small business owners need apps like a reliable POS system, QuickBooks Online for accounting, Gusto for payroll, and Square Invoices for invoicing.
What are the key features to look for in a good POS app?
A good POS app should be easy to use, work well on mobile devices, have clear pricing, and connect with other business tools.
What are the top POS app recommendations for small businesses?
Great POS apps for small businesses include Square POS, Shopify Retail POS, Clover POS, and Toast POS.
What are the core accounting features to look for in a small business accounting app?
Look for accounting apps that track income and expenses, send invoices, provide detailed reports, and work with other business tools.
What are the key features to look for in a small business payroll app?
Good payroll apps for small businesses manage payroll in all 50 states and offer support online and over the phone.
What are the essential invoicing features small businesses should look for?
Essential invoicing features include making and sending professional invoices, taking different payments, linking with accounting software, and tracking invoice payments.
Why is expense tracking crucial for small businesses?
Tracking expenses helps small businesses manage cash flow, prepare taxes, and see where money goes.
What other notable small business apps are available?
Other great apps include Shopify Retail POS for retail and Toast POS for restaurants. Also, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and Wave are good for accounting and invoicing.
What key factors should small business owners consider when choosing apps?
When picking apps, think about the budget, how it can grow with your business, ease of use, how it works with other tools, and if it fits with what you already use.
What are some top productivity-boosting apps for small businesses?
Great apps for boosting productivity include Trello, Asana, and ClickUp. They offer Kanban boards, automate tasks, and help teams work together.
Why is app integration and compatibility important for small businesses?
Integration and compatibility are key for small businesses. They make sure all tools work well together, creating a smooth operation. They also allow teams to work remotely and stay flexible.