We live in a golden age of technology. No matter what you need, there is an app or service out there that can help. Or as we always hear,
There's an app for that!
Accordingly, there has never been a better time to streamline your organization and become more efficient than ever.
Below are 4 great app categories that can help take your business to the next level. I’ve listed a few of my favorites for each, but these lists are definitely not all-inclusive. There are tons of apps out there and new ones everyday. So be sure to do some research, and try a few out, in order to find the one that’s perfect for you.
Mileage tracker
If you use for vehicle for any business reasons, then come tax time it will benefit you to keep track of those miles driven.
There are a lot of options out there for this purpose. Even something as simple as notebook in your car or a spreadsheet can be a quick and easy way to record your business mileage on a personal car. Although those options are for those organized minds that won’t forget to log the miles as they happen.
For the busy and generally distracted business owner, the apps listed below allow you to create the settings so the app tracks all your mileage, then you just have to mark as personal or business when you have some time. It’s all about finding what works for you and your lifestyle.
My Favorites:
Mile IQ
TripLog
Mile Expense Log (iOS only)
Signatures
No matter what industry you work in, it’s likely that you or your customers will have to sign a document for somebody's records. Gone are the days of emailing a document, printing it out, signing it, scanning it, and then finally emailing it back. You can cut out more than half of those steps with one of these simple apps.
We’ve reached the point in our evolution where the average business doesn’t even need printers anymore, and nobody is sad to see them go. Besides the fact that they seem to fail just when you need them most, I think everyone can agree that printer cartridges are waaayy more expensive than any of us think they are worth. Especially when the ink dries up before you can even use it all.
Fortunately, these apps allow you to collect the signatures you need, as well as store the documents electronically so no more printers! Most services offer several pricing tiers so that you can find the right option that fits your needs.
My Favorites:
Hellosign
Docusign
Security
Security is so important for your business. Not only do you have to worry about the safety of your information, but also that of your clients.
Too often we hear on the news of large corporations with lax protocols that lead to massive data breaches. Letting thieves access your customers sensitive data causes your customers to lose trust in you, and when you lose their trust, you lose their business.
When it comes to security, it’s best to aim for too much rather than not enough. Implementing security measures after a breach is just closing the barn door after the horses got loose. That's why it's so important to be ahead of the curve on security.
There are lots and lots of security apps out there, but be sure to verify that the app is trustworthy. It is far too common for malware to be disguised as something to protect you, so do your homework before you make any commitments.
My Favorites:
McAfee
Norton
Avast
Password Management
Too many of us fall into the same password pitfalls. Either we use the same password for everything, or even worse, we know we won’t remember a unique one so a sticky note goes directly on the computer screen.
But there's a better way!
Rather than trying to remember all the passwords to the many sites we use every day, with password manager apps you can manage all the passwords is one location.
These apps allow you to record unique passwords for all your sites securely and easily. Most password managers also offer the option of a random password generator so you can finally stop using Password123 for everything.
My favorites:
Lastpass
Roboform
Keeper
There are so many ways to use technology to increase the efficiency of your organization. Take the time to track how you are spending your time for two weeks, then figure out how to reduce or automate the tasks that are repeated and simple.
Utilize the incredible advantages that technology provides to free up your time for more important work.
Spending too much time on your bookkeeping? I can help!