It can be frustrating to sign up for a pro plan with that or another solution, only to understand it doesn’t really work for your business. It’s such a waste of money and time.
Similarly, it’s not easy to pick one app to go with from a shortlisted few. When all choices seem alike, it’s hard to make the final call.
So, how do you deal with either of these problems?
By asking these 9 questions coming right up below. They will help you:
- Determine whether a given cloud solution will work for you
- Choose between multiple, similar platforms
- Avoid wasting time and money
Let’s take a look.
Does it Get the Job Done?
The point of business software is to help you solve problems. Whether it’s better deadline management or reducing no-show appointments, there’s a real issue that a given app has to solve.
If it doesn’t do that, you’ve got no future together.
Take a look at your KPIs – if the numbers don’t budge in your favour, the solution didn’t deliver promised results. Most likely, it’s not for you.
Do We Struggle Using It?
User-friendliness is key, especially for less tech-savvy teams. If you can, always choose an app that causes your team the smallest possible number of issues.
Observe how you and your employees handle working with that specific platform. If you frequently get stuck and give up, it’s time to look for another solution.
Does it Make Work Faster and Easier?
Being effective doesn’t mean being pleasant to use. There are apps that might seem helpful, but in reality, they will make your work harder. That’s definitely not an ideal scenario.
The goal behind getting business software solutions for your company is to help your work faster and easier so you can free up your schedule. Of course, getting used to the new cloud workspace can be time-consuming. But in the long run, your work should be done faster and easier than before.
If the opposite happens, search for an alternative.
Can I Afford it?
Pricing is one of the most important factors in choosing business software. That’s because some software solutions can get be quite costly.
On the one hand, the price of an app shouldn’t be the main deciding factor. It’s an investment. A good app can produce an impressive ROI – so don’t be afraid of more expensive platforms.
However, if you run a small business, every expense matters. That’s why you should remember that you don’t have to get the most expensive and premium subscription out there. You can still achieve great results at a smaller cost.
Do I See Myself/My Team Using This App Long-Term?
Sometimes the gut feeling matters more than you think. You will love some apps from the first use. Others, you will hate from the get-go.
Only you can judge it: do you see yourself using that one app long-term? Or does it seem like your adventure will be short-lived?
Am I Satisfied With the Customer Support?
Customer support can make or ruin your day at some point. It’s crucial that it’s top-notch. Especially when we’re dealing with complex or expensive solutions.
You probably won’t know what’s it like until you run into some issues. If you’ve got no experience of your own, you can always read the ratings of other customers. But remember that at the end of the day, excellent customer support is more valuable than a number of available features or low subscription costs.
Does it Overwhelm me With a Number of Features I Won’t Use?
Some solutions are complex because they solve complex problems. Others – because they’re bloated with features you’re unlikely to use. The second case can easily overwhelm you and your team, making it less likely that you’ll stick around.
If you’re in need of an app that will notify you about approaching deadlines, you’ve got no need for Gantt charts or workflow builders. Some features may be looking appealing and you might feel drawn to them because they seem useful.
Resist that need to chase the shiny. Stick to the simplest available solution that answers your current need. Think about expanding when you deal with problems at hand.
Is My and My Customer’s Data Safe Within the App?
There are certain types of business software – like accounting or customer management platforms – that store sensitive data. In these cases, security is one of the most important factors to consider.
It’s more than just being safe from hackers, however. Besides basic safety protocols, a secure solution will also cover your privacy concerns and ensure backups of information – because fails can happen both on your and the provider’s end.
Does it Make Communication and Planning Easier?
Any business app can make communication with your team easier. If not because it opens new channels for you, then because it presents data and information in a clearer way (or at least, it should).
Once you sign up with a chosen solution, regardless of its type and purpose:
- Data should be easily accessible
- Communication should be easier because all info is right at hand
- You should be able to analyse, read and present your findings more easily.
Optionally, if your solution serves such a purpose, it should also unify and merge several other communication channels. For example, by establishing one place to discuss an assignment (comment section under a task), you can stop sending multiple emails or phone messages, leaving notes on a colleague’s desk or messages in a team chat.
Take a closer look at whether the app you’re interested in is making communication easier. If info still gets lost along the way, you need to look for a different solution.
Over to You
There’s so much to think about when choosing software for your business – all the pros and cons, the dos and don’ts. Hopefully, you won’t skip these 9 questions – they’ll make it so much easier for you to understand which solution will work for you and your team.
Good luck!
