If you’re running a small business, you already know how much time and work you’re putting into the daily grind. Anything and everything that can help save a little bit of time, effort and money is a welcome addition to most small business owners. When it comes to lending a helping hand in these areas, apps are leading the way. Any small business could benefit from the advantages that apps offer, and if you’re running your own small business, you will want to start by making use of these 10 essential apps immediately.
Google My Business
Local businesses need to be listed with Google My Business if they hope to be found in any localized Google search related to their field. Your profile allows Google to provide interested searchers with your contact information and a map of your location. Downloading the app means you’ll be able to check on your profile and read and respond to any new reviews you may have received.
Trello
Manage all of your ongoing projects easily through the Trello platform. You can create checklists to work through, ensuring nothing is missed, as well as collaborate online in order to work with others regardless of distance or time differences.
Scheduling social media updates lets you see what is on the horizon for the coming weeks, letting you plan out promotions and other business activities.
Customers often get their information from reviews of previous customers. Yelp is typically the go-to source for customer feedback, where many potential customers will source out information. Ignore this platform and you could be missing out on an opportunity to leverage your positive feedback and remedy the negative.
The Yelp app itself makes it quicker and easier to update your account and read and respond to reviews. If you receive a negative review, you’ll want to address it quickly and put out any fires before they grow. By having this app at your fingertips, you’ll be able to deal with these reviews in a time sensitive way.
Nowadays, customers just expect you to be on Facebook if nowhere else. It’s an easy way to connect with those who are interested in your business, keeping them updated on anything new that’s happening, whether it be products, promotions, events and so forth. Facebook postings are also easily sharable, so even if your direct contact person is not planning on becoming a customer, they could potentially share your information with others who will be.
Kanvas
Of course, you’re going to want to add images, videos, slideshows and other visuals to anywhere you’re presence is being made online. Kanvas allows you to create all of these for any platform, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more. The best part about this app is that you can do all of the creating right from your mobile device, so you can work anywhere you please.
AdWords
Any pay per click marketing campaigns are generally done through AdWords, where you can target your advertising for your business and only pay for that ad when someone clicks on it. Effective use of AdWords will result in equally effective ad campaigns, but it’s easy to let an AdWords account get out of control, so keep a close eye on it by having this app by your side.
LinkedIn
If you’re operating in the B2B realm, you’ll want to make your LinkedIn presence strong. Connect with prospects and be a part of conversations by having this app at your fingertips. It’s possible to find a good amount of prospective leads through LinkedIn and the more active you are the more likely you’ll see that return on the investment of your time.
Twitter
In just 140 characters, you can send out quick updates and messages to your following. Twitter is great for staying in front of your customer’s eyes, giving them a consistent flow of helpful information and passing along information from other sources they may be interested in. It’s far more likely that you’ll use it, and use it often, if you’ve got it downloaded in app form.
Fiverr
Sometimes work needs to be outsourced, whether it’s because you don’t have the skills to do it yourself or you just don’t have the time to complete it. Fiverr offers you the opportunity to have simple marketing tasks done at super affordable rates. Find a great freelancer on Fiverr means you’ll have an excellent professional to send work to whenever needed.
Perka
Incentive programs are widely used to encourage customer loyalty and repeat business. But punch cards that have to be carried around in a wallet are growing outdated. Perka allows you to create your own digital punch card that customers can use for free, from an app right on their phone, so they won’t have to remember to bringt their card with them or fumble through their wallet looking for it.
Save yourself time, reduce your workload and make everyday tasks much easier and more manageable to complete with the help of these 10 essential small business apps.
