Many businesses today are transitioning to remote work.
Running a remote business, though, is far from easy. From accurately defining remote work policies, setting up workspaces to maintaining company culture, there’s so much that needs to be done.
However, while all these factors are essential for business growth, you also need to consider the software solutions to use for your remote business. The right software solutions can greatly increase your productivity as well as your business efficiency as a whole.
Moreover, in today’s fast-paced, technologically driven world, businesses need to embrace new forms of technology to ensure they meet their SMART objectives.
Here are seven essential software solutions your remote business needs:
One of the most important aspects of running a business is managing cash flows efficiently. That’s where accountancy software can help.
A high-quality accountancy software solution can also help you file taxes and ensure your compliance in an audit.
Modern accountancy software is designed to be easy to use with the type of powerful features you need. One of the most popular accountancy software solutions is QuickBooks. Many accountants these days use this online tool. Other options include, but are not limited to, Wave, Xero, and FreshBooks.
Tracking your business projects can seem doable if you have a few in hand.
However, you’ll find that as your business grows, so do the number of projects you have to manage. Therefore, you need to ensure you don’t compromise on quality even if you have a boatload of them to do.
Project management software is an ideal solution for this.
The following image can help you understand the importance of efficiency in project management:
Source: Knowledge Academy
As a remote business owner, you have to make sure you’re aware of every project activity, deadline, and any resources required for them. The best way to do this would be to invest in an efficient project management software solution.
Monday.com is one of the most popular paid solutions. It allows the user to track the performance of every project and have customized dashboards. It’s also seamlessly integrated with modern tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, among others.
An alternative to Monday, with lots of free features, is Trello. The other popular option you might consider is Asana. Asana also has a freemium version, though the UI is less intuitive than Trello.
Working remotely with employees means you need to ensure they’re completing their hours at work adequately. If you have employees you pay per hour, you naturally want to track their working hours.
A time tracking tool can be the answer to all your worries. You can use a schedule maker to keep track of employees’ log-in and log-out times at work. If an employee is reaching overtime, you’ll get notified about that too.
Good time tracker software underpins the growth of many successful remote businesses.
Your tracking software will allow your employees to file for time off work by themselves without going through lengthy processes. It also allows them to organize their work schedules and let other colleagues take over their shifts. Finally, it will give both you and your team members peace of mind.
It’s a win-win situation!
Attractive visuals play a pivotal role when it comes to your business’s official site.
For instance, if you’re in the e-commerce industry, you’ll find that users are more likely to buy products they see aesthetic images of. Moreover, high-quality graphic content will also make your social media posts have a greater impact on your target audience.
Graphic design is a necessity for businesses today and can prove to be the perfect tool:
Source: Graphicszoo
If you’re new to the world of graphic design, consider using beginner-friendly graphic design tools like Canva or Youzign. On the other hand, if you’re familiar with graphic design, Adobe Creative Cloud can be a viable option.
Customer relationship management (CRM) is undeniably one of the main focuses of any remote business.
One of the best ways to do this would be to use a CRM software solution. Imagine organizing your contacts in one place and being on board with all your customer interactions. That’s what CRM software can do for you.
You’ll also be made aware when a customer is purchasing your product. With the solution, you can even access your customers’ previous transactions.
Salesforce is a popular CRM software option. It offers features like lead management, workflow automation, among others.
Research has found collaboration is key to good workplace performance.
It makes sense to have a collaboration platform for your remote business. If you have cross-continent teams, a collaboration platform will help you keep in touch with your team and give them any updates related to projects.
You can also give your range of clients daily updates whenever needed via collaboration platforms. That will strengthen your relationship with them. If you’re unsure about which collaboration platform to use, consider using Slack.
You can also connect to services like Google Drive and Office 365 via Slack. There are plenty of alternatives to Slack. However, it is the current market leader.
Email marketing can benefit your remote business in several ways.
Thanks to email marketing, you can create personalized content for your target audience, build brand awareness and recognition, and boost leads through email lists. A study found 87 percent of marketers choose email marketing methods to distribute their business content.
An email marketing platform will help you connect with your customers. The good news is, there are many available in the market. Moosend, AWeber and GetResponse are highly recommended.
Additionally, consider using cold email software to increase the chances of landing in the customers' inboxes
Moreover, you’ll also be educating your customers about any updates or promotions related to your business, enticing them to buy your products and services more.
Transitioning to remote work presents numerous challenges for businesses, particularly in maintaining productivity and company culture. Amidst the complexities of defining remote work policies and setting up workspaces, the adoption of suitable software solutions becomes imperative.
For example, HR systems by SenseHR provide tailored solutions designed to address the unique needs of remote businesses, encompassing employee management, time tracking, and others. By integrating such software into your remote operations, you can effectively streamline workflows and enhance communication and collaboration among remote teams.
With modern HR software solutions, businesses can effectively navigate the challenges of remote work, fostering a strong and productive workforce.
The right software solutions can help your remote business flourish. However, while there may be countless options out there, you must do your research beforehand and evaluate your business needs so you can make the right decision.
There’s no doubt that high-quality, efficient software solutions are investments that won’t disappoint you. You’ll experience long-term benefits, and your remote business will be on its way to success.
