A while back, we discussed things you need to avoid when choosing software for your business. Equipped with this knowledge, you can dodge pitfalls that will chip at your revenue and frustrate your team. However, it’s equally important to know what’s essential in an app. These are specific things to look for when choosing business software which will make using it easy, efficient and profitable.
And that’s exactly our topic for today.
But before we dive in, make sure to check out additional guides on choosing business software and small business software resources.
#1: Features to Solve Your Everyday Problems
One of the main purposes of using business solutions is to solve problems that you face in your business every day.
That’s why “does this app actually help me?” is the most important question to answer when choosing business software.
If you can’t see, clearly and easily, that a given platform makes your work easier, it’s probably not worth spending money on. It’s simple as that: if you keep struggling with something despite using an app meant to solve that problem, then it’s clearly time to move on to another solution.
#2: Well-Designed Interface
There’s hardly anything appealing about a complex, poorly designed interface. Go for a solution that offers a neat and clean experience.
One of the things to look for when choosing business software is an interface which:
- is as intuitive as possible
- doesn’t confuse you
- doesn’t change frequently
- doesn’t cause problems for your non-tech-savvy employees
- allows you to quickly complete essential tasks
#3: Clear Pricing and Terms of Service
Pricing is one of the main factors to consider when choosing business software. Besides the cost of the app per user, it’s important that the terms of payment are clear and easy to understand. They should not change frequently or drastically, keeping a predictable rate.
Same with terms of service. Get familiar with what the solution developers oblige you to, and don’t hesitate to pull back if something raises your concerns.
#4: Reliable Support
Good customer support is essential. Sooner or later you might encounter an issue with an app or have a question about it, and that’s where the customer support shows up.
Be aware that for the majority of cloud solutions, in-person support isn’t available for free users. These have to resort to FAQ sections and online guides. However, if you’re paying for a premium plan, you’re entitled to professional and knowledgeable customer support that responds in a timely manner.
How to check if you can rely on your solution’s support before paying for it? Try checking in with online communities and review ratings on business directories.
#5: Stability
When thinking about the stability of an app, think about the number of bugs and errors that occurred, as well as the speed of loading and downtimes. In business software, stability is of extreme importance.
Here’s why: once you start using business software, you rely on it to complete your everyday tasks. Without it, your efforts are hindered and your productivity diminished.
Stability is one of the top things to look for when choosing business software. Look for an app with good uptime and free of bugs. These are major issues which, if occurring, are instantly brought up by its users.
#6: Community
Being a part of a user community comes with several benefits:
- You have where to ask questions about the app
- You can influence the solution’s future development
- You can instantly pick up issues and problems spotted by other users which wouldn’t be addressed by the developer
- You can find inspiration or tips on how to effectively and creatively use your solution
On top of it all, an active community is a good proof that the app is well and its developers openly seek to connect with its users.
#7: Rich Learning Materials
Believe us: you’ll hate it if you’re left to figure out your new app entirely on your own. That’s why the majority of platforms have a user onboarding process in place. However, you should look beyond that.
See how much you can learn about using the app simply by doing online research. See how rich are resources about your chosen solution.
Here’s what to look for:
- Rich FAQ and guide library on the website
- YouTube Channel with instructional videos
- Social posts with tips on using the app
- Community to reach out
- Webinars and trainings
#8: Security of Data
Different apps store different data and the privacy of information varies from one business to another. But one thing is for sure: business data must be secure. It’s not only your info, it’s also your client’s info.
It’s just not about potential privacy concerns, which are, of course, a huge part of the deal. But imagine if you lost a database of thousands of contacts just because of a one-time app crash.
Look for platforms with a proven track of security, such as encryption certificates, high-quality server locations and reliable ways of backing up your data. These are things you should be able to openly ask about – and easily get information from the app’s team.
#9: Active Improvements
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, right?
With business software, it doesn’t exactly work this way.
Avoid apps that are stagnant and stuck in their old ways, without frequent updates. Instead, go for apps that actively search for user feedback, have a detailed roadmap and continuously work on improving their product.
This way you’ll ensure your solution isn’t going anyway and it’s going to be improving its quality of service.
Things to Look For When Choosing Business Software – Final Thoughts
If you’re new to business software, choosing the right app may seem like a challenging task. That’s exactly why this list of things to look for when choosing business software will come in handy.
Make sure to go back to it before you make the final decision!
