4 Business Apps and Software You Probably Don’t Need
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as having too many apps on hand. With computers and mobile devices, having several apps running at once can negatively impact performance and battery life. Not to mention that if you’re paying for all that software, you could be throwing money away. Why pay for something you don’t need?
Some software is redundant, so there is no need to pay for a subscription when you can access a free or cheaper alternative. For example, there’s absolutely no need to install a third-party email client on your home or office computers because there are so many free services available online — like Gmail. There are plenty of apps and services to enhance your experience as well.
Take Google’s new Inbox app, for instance. It organizes your email inbox and helps you stay up to date by moving your most important messages to the forefront. And this is just one way to improve your Gmail experience. Think of all the other apps and services that exist for other email providers. Better yet, most of them are free!
It all boils down to the fact that you could be wasting money on software you don’t need. There are so many ways to reap the benefits of using cloud computing services, and this post isn’t trying to persuade you to stop using business software altogether. Instead, we’re going to take a look at several apps and services in your arsenal that are likely redundant:
Software Your Business Doesn’t Need
The first thing worth mentioning is that you should avoid investing money or development hours into custom web software, especially for a new venture. This is just a bad idea.
There are plenty of cloud apps and services that can handle what you need, and it’s always best to start out small and grow. Try to find a cheaper or free alternative to begin with. If you’re still insistent on having a custom app, spring for something highly customizable like WordPress, which has thousands of plugins and add-ons available.
1. You Don’t Need a High-End CRM
This is especially true if you’re a new business.
You don’t need high-end CRM software like Salesforce, which often comes with a bloated price tag. There are plenty of alternatives that are just as powerful. Try something like CapsuleCRM, Pipelinedeals or Insightly.
In fact, some of the alternatives are more streamlined and have less bloat to sort through.
2. Remote Access Software
Before cloud services were a thing, remote access software made it possible to continue work from home or while you’re out in the field. It’s no longer necessary to log in to a central station like your work computer.
Instead, you can take advantage of a variety of cloud-based apps and services that store content through a remote access system. Simple services, like Google Drive, Box, and Dropbox, allow you to store files securely in the cloud and access them from anywhere, with any device.
This also alleviates the need to carry around external storage — like a USB drive — which could potentially cost you hundreds of dollars if it is misplaced.
[Tweet “Are you using any of these 4 #biz apps & software that are a waste of money?”]3. Notation Apps and Services
There’s no need to have third-party notation software installed. There are dozens — if not hundreds — of free apps available, including some that work cross-platform like Evernote.
Since a majority of us spend most of our time on mobile now, it’s a good idea to have something that also works on mobile devices anyway. Then you can leave notes for yourself when you’re in the office and reference them later while you’re out and about.
4. Customer Feedback Software
You also don’t need to pay for customer service or feedback software anymore. With social media platforms and online community services, you have access to everything you need for relatively cheap.
That includes phone-based or chat services.
Look into creating a platform in Buddypress — a WordPress plugin — that allows customers to interact with you through an online community. Or you can do it the old fashioned way and opt for an actual web forum where you can record and respond to customer feedback.
If you’d rather stick with tried-and-true customer service options, spring for a cloud-based service instead.
If you’re reading this list and one of the software services you use comes to mind but isn’t included here, share your thoughts on our Facebook page or in the Facebook Smart Hustle Community!