Exploding Your Business With Technology

Savvy business owners maintain an advantage over their competitors by utilizing technology to make their businesses more efficient, more convenient for their clients and more profitable. The right apps and software can help your company maximize its potential without prohibitive investments. Each of the following 10 outstanding programs will help your business run smoothly and grow quickly, by keeping you more organized, more visible and more accessible to potential customers.

Software

Microsoft Office Suite

The Microsoft Office Suite is the most widely used set of productivity programs for professionals. It includes applications such Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel for creating spreadsheets and managing data and Microsoft PowerPoint for the creation of slideshows and other presentations along with a number of other essential utilities for small business.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is an indispensable tool for simple and accurate accounting. Its user-friendly interface allows small business owners to perform every bookkeeping and payroll tasks without requiring a high level of technical knowledge. QuickBooks also allows users to print professional checks to pay employees or suppliers, making the program a total solution for the financial affairs of a small business.

Joomla

Joomla a popular open source software package that allows users to design and customize websites. It allows you to build and edit professional quality websites online, so you can update your page while traveling. The programs are tailored to small business owners, and the site components are module based, meaning you can plug in pre-made elements such as a HTML banner or Flash video. There is also a dedicated online community to provide tips and tricks for getting the most out of your new website.

Skype

Skype is a video conferencing software that allows you to contact clients or offsite staff face to face regardless of distance. You can place a standard or video call right from your computer to anyone with a Skype account for free, and a paid subscription adds a number of features such as voice mail for under $100 per year. Skype also provides a chat feature with collaborative tools such as file and desktop sharing, making it an excellent choice for any business owner looking for an effective way to maximize the productivity of their business.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

This innovative program allows you to dictate documents to your computer using a next-generation speech recognition program that accurately renders spoken word into text. Compose letters, emails and even record thoughts on the fly with this advanced speech recognition utility.

Apps

InDinero

InDinero is a convenient app that allows you to keep track of the cash flow and finances of your business. The app syncs up to your company accounts and credit cards to help you predict future cash flow patterns based on past trends.

Square

Square is an essential app for small businesses. It allows anyone with a smartphone or tablet to accept credit card payments without expensive dedicated equipments. Many potential customers may not prefer to conduct transactions with cash, and so accepting credit card payments as well as checks and cash is an excellent way to optimize your revenue stream.

Evernote

The Evernote app ensures users never forget a great idea by providing them with a place to jot down their thoughts. Evernote stores and organizes text, photo and voice notes, and also makes the notes available for sharing. It is an ideal app for a schedule-challenged business owner who may need multiple reminders to handle all the affairs of a given day.

Google Drive

Google’€™s Drive app enables users to port and edit files on a PC, tablet or smartphone. It is a full featured office suite as well as a cloud drive that allows you to store files via a web interface or virtual drive app and is accessible to all employees. It increases the efficiency of every device in your company by turning each of them into tools of production. Google Drive provides up to 5GB of free storage space, making it a great tool for a small business.

LocalVox

LocalVox is a potent web marketing app that allows small businesses to easily increase their visibility online. It includes features that allow users to publish company news, events and promotional announcements on an assortment of social media sites, local directories and other websites with the touch of a button. It also lets you quickly create and distribute marketing emails. The app automatically compiles search results for your business and integrates them with relevant Google Places listings for convenience, making LocalVox an outstanding method of boosting local business.

Having a comprehensive business strategy does not require immense financial backing or a slow, painstaking growth process. The right tools make any job much easier to perform. Take your small business to the next level with this collection of powerful programs and mobile apps.