Technology has become important for every business, and more than half of small businesses have an app now that helps them get work done. In 2022, the global app market reached 149.72 billion dollars and is expected to continue growing. There is quite literally an app for everything under the son today – from ordering groceries to managing housekeeping for a rental business. If you’re managing a business, you can even look up a readymade app than can simplify some of your work for you. Here’s how you can choose the right app for your business needs:
1. Analyze your workflow
Evaluate your current workflow and identify the parts which need improvement. This can help you discover problems with the existing organizational structure and operations and identify what’s hurting your workforce’s productivity. For instance, if you manage a vacation rental, your staff may encounter issues with cleaning and housekeeping. It is important to survey the business to learn which problems you need to resolve with an app.
2. Determine your purpose
You must elucidate which problems you’re looking to solve with this app so you can explore different options based on your business needs. Hence, consider finding answers to the following questions:
- How will this app help resolve these problems?
- Will this app make your workforce more productive?
- What sort of technology and features does this app have?
Sticking with the previous example, if you’re running a vacation rental and looking for a cleaning app, choose one that integrates well with your operations and helps you accomplish specific objectives. A housekeeping app should have these features:
- Integrates with your PMS
- Helps with scheduling and inspection
- Generate reports, e.g., invoice and payroll
3. Always research extensively
Make sure you research different features of the app you’re considering. An app should meet your current needs and offer room to add new features. You don’t want to start looking for apps the next year because the one you were using didn’t update. So, it’s essential to go through the following characteristics when selecting an app:
- Easy usability
- Seamless integration
- The vendor’s experience
- Affordability after installation
- Configuration and customization
4. Check online reviews
Reading online reviews on different websites helps you determine the truth behind the claims made by certain software programs. Almost every app-developing company maintains testimonials on its website through which you can evaluate that app’s usefulness and performance. However, it’s smarter to seek independent reviews from platforms like GetApp, Capterra, and Software Advice. These reviews will help you determine if a B2B app meets your requirements or if better alternatives are available.
Many apps also offer free demos, a feature you should check out before purchasing the app. A free demo will let you ensure your employees find the app workable.
5. Consider the cost
Choose an affordable app to integrate with your systems. While many free-of-cost apps will be available to tackle the problem your company is facing, it’s better to go with paid apps. These apps often offer better customer support, constant updates, and more features than cost-free versions. The cost, however, should not deter you from choosing the most suitable app option.
6. Collaborate with employees
It’s not good when you spend so much time choosing an app only to find out your employees hate it! Business owners need to communicate with their employees because, in the end, they are the ones who will use the thing. So, get their input when choosing an app for your business since they’ll be the ones using it more. Get feedback from your employees and let them collaborate with you in choosing a solution that works.
6. Compare different options
Create a pros-and-cons list for the apps under consideration and evaluate them based on how these apps target your business goals. A housekeeping app, for instance, should be designed for property management. Make a list of the features you require the app to perform, and then rate multiple options to see which one is most feasible.
8. Test that app
Never purchase an app without testing it first; ensure it works seamlessly with your business workflow. Almost every business app available online offers a trial version, a demo that lets you try it out for free. So, you can determine if that app is user-friendly and corresponds to what sort of software solution you are looking for. Get feedback from your staff and observe what they think of the trial version. It’s smarter to test different apps simultaneously for better comparison.
9. Train your team
Employees need to receive some training on how to use the app properly. Statistics show that one-third of employees receive no training from their employers. Not all vendors offer education and training services; you must hire outside experts or have in-house IT experts train your staff. Ensure the app has a manual and other video-based training guide. These guides will make it easier for your employees to understand how the app works.
10. Customize the app
Customize the application for seamless integration and utmost flexibility. Quality apps offer unique integration options and let you assimilate the product into your business culture. The goal here is to increase organizational efficiency and make your workforce more effective. Achieve this objective by making that business app work in conjunction with other apps. When apps don’t talk to each other, a productivity decline appears; customization, however, makes integration easier.
Conclusion
From the world’s largest corporations to a single-city small-sized business – all companies use some sort of software to remain functional. According to McKinsey, every company today is a software company; apps have become essential to business dealings. However, picking out the ideal app for your business can be tricky. You need to determine your purpose, assess the workflow, and communicate with your workforce to choose the best application out there after extensive research. Research reliable vendors, consider the app’s cost, and then test that app before buying the product.
