As discussed in a post not long ago, more than 50% of America are now smartphone owners. This growing trend of on-the-go consumers makes it incredibly important for small businesses to continue to reach them. Not only is marketing towards these mobile customers critical, but so is making sure you can operate your own business on the go.
As this trend continues to grow, mobile phones play a larger role in our lives, so will their integration with the business. If you don’t have a smartphone, now might be the time. Personally, I waited quite a while before getting one, and now I both don’t know what I was thinking or how I can ever go back.
If you are a small business and smartphone owner, there are likely apps you regularly use to keep things going on the move. Mail, web browser, etc., are all pretty standard, but here are a few you might be missing out on. I have used each extensively, and without going overboard on how many to review, I found these to be essential.
These 4 applications make organizing your thoughts, finances, and marketing easier to deal with away from the computer or office.
1. Evernote (Free, iPhone / iPad / Android / Mac / PC)
Developed by Apple for integration with their operating systems, it has since come to Windows computers. Evernote is the quintessential note-taking and storing app. It allows you to keep every thought you have written down and saved properly.
You can create different folders, so your business and personal notes are kept separate and tags for easy identification. Newly added, the app now features reminders that can be added onto each note you take so you never forget to do exactly what you wrote down.
In fact, I’m writing this article with Evernote as we speak. It essentially saved me from getting the Microsoft Office Suite or just Word on its own. I think I like it better as a writing tool since it feels so much more casual, which is my approach to writing. Word reminds me of writing a paper for finals in college.
Formatting text is a breeze like you can work in other text editors. Sharing to social networks is also directly integrated. So if you put together something you’d like to share on your Twitter or Facebook page, you can do it directly from the app.
The computer version of the app also allows for seamless, easy synching of all your notes. This way, anything you wrote on your phone will be updated on your computer, and vice versa. Now you’ll never skip a beat or need to copy already written notes over.
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The bottom line is it makes things easier—something any small business owner could use. Many people use Post-It notes to control the constant stream of thoughts they have every day when managing a business. Evernote makes it convenient for you to store those in an organized fashion for the long haul.
2. Wunderlist ($Free, iPhone / iPad / Android / Mac / PC / Web)
This app is about as handy and no-frills as a to-do list app should be. I will be the first to say that an app that keeps track of things you need to do seems a bit frivolous. But after going some time without it and trying to use other apps like Evernote to do the trick, I find this much better.
All Wunderlist enables you to do is create a running to-do list of all your tasks. And it works quite perfectly for just this. You can make certain tasks a priority and keep them atop the list. Likewise, you can set reminders or due dates so that you won’t forget. The app will send you a push notification, ensuring you really remember to do that thing you wrote down last week so you wouldn’t forget for the third consecutive week straight.
I find that pretty handy with so much going on between life and business.
Naturally, you can add longer descriptions to tasks and include details if need be. You can even share lists directly or over email with others who might need some guidance. For example, making a to-do list for an intern or employee might be helpful if you’re away or forgot your computer.
It helps keep me on track and organized, which I try not to take for granted. To mark tasks as done, check their corresponding box, and off they go. It’s kind of gratifying, like crossing off something on paper you needed to do.
Once again, this app has the synching ability from smartphone to computer, so you’re always updated across the board. The great part I find is that it is designed to help you on the go, and it does that perfectly.
3. Mint (Free, iPhone / iPad / Android / Web)
Finances in a quandary? Any ideas where your spending is going? Can’t understand your bank’s outdated web dashboard? Then Mint is for you.
Mint is a simple and secure application that connects directly to your bank account to monitor its activity. It produces these nifty, straightforward charts and graphs at the end of each month or whenever you want, so you can visualize your business’ spending.
It really makes things crystal clear when it comes to tracking revenue and expenses. Sure your bank probably has a way of giving you reports and showing what’s coming and going, but nothing like this, I can assure you.
Mint is widely trusted among people and businesses to track their money, so it’s incredibly secure. You can even set up a pass lock before gaining access to the app. Just sign up, link your account with it, and Mint will start tracking the numbers.
With a much clearer view of how your money is being spent, you can fine-tune your budget and allocations to work better for your business. Expenses can be grouped into categories and allotted a monthly limit. Going over this will prompt an alert so you can keep a close eye on exactly what is happening with your money.
The app’s sleek design combined with insightful metrics make it a win-win for small business owners.
4. Facebook
A little more than six months ago and this app would not have been included in this list. It took the developers at Facebook far too long to get an app right. Not only was it’s designed clunky for years, but it didn’t encourage users to keep using Facebook on their phones.
I doubt they truly realized the importance of this fact until it was completely updated and turned into today’s app. Right around the time of this redesign, they saw a big boost in mobile users. Today a huge portion of their traffic comes from people using the app, and it’s pretty clear why.
Anyways, it would help if you were using the app for your business’ own page. Just how simple it is to post to your personal account from your phone, they have made it easy as ever to do for your own page.
Log in and add a post, picture, or video, and share away. The mobile-friendly nature of the app now encourages business owners to keep their audience in the loop no matter where they are.
Events, news, or spontaneous updates now have no trouble being shared immediately with your following from the app. No longer is it actually easier to wait until you are at a computer to tell the world. Now there should be no hesitation or delay if you want to get something posted.
You can view your page either as an Admin or as the public, so you know exactly how your page looks and what you can do to update it. There are many other helpful features added in that make the experience much easier and seamless to use now.
Plain and simple, if you manage or contribute to a Facebook page for your small business, get the app.
5. Bonus – Gmail (iPhone / iPad / Android / Web)
This one is added as an extra since not everyone uses Google’s email platform for their business. Personally, I have 3 Gmail accounts and keep tabs on them all on my smartphone, so this app is essential.
Even if you use Gmail for personal email, I would recommend trying this app out. They redesigned it completely not long ago, and it really excels. The design and layout are nearly flawless now, in my opinion. Plus, multiple account integration is a breeze.