Finding the best small business management software is important for streamlining operations, increasing productivity, and encouraging growth in today’s competitive business world. To keep track of everything that a small business does, from its inventory and sales to its relationships with customers and finances, it needs effective tools. Having the right software can make all the difference in how successful and long-lasting your business is.
The best small business management software has a lot of features that are designed to meet the specific needs and problems of small businesses. These platforms give business owners the tools they need to get things done quickly and wisely. They do this with dashboards that can be customized and interfaces that are easy to use. Businesses can streamline their operations and work better as a whole with tools like CRM that help them keep track of expenses, manage inventory, and send bills.
What are Small Business Management Software?
Entrepreneurs and small business owners can use small business management software to help them run their businesses more efficiently. It usually comes with tools for accounting, billing, payroll, managing inventory, customer relationship management (CRM), project management, and hiring people.
These software solutions simplify processes, keep data organized, keep an eye on finances, automate tasks, and make it easier for people in the organization to talk to each other. Small business management software helps businesses be more productive and make better decisions. It also lets them focus on growth and customer satisfaction more.
Best Small Business Management Software Comparison Table
Accounting, CRM, inventory, and project tracking are integrated into small business management software to simplify operations for entrepreneurs. These platforms automate repetitive tasks, boost productivity, and inform decision-making. They help small businesses scale and manage resources.
| Feature | Timely | Expedite | HubSpot CRM | Striven | Wrike |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Focus | Project management with time tracking | Work order management | Customer relationship management (CRM) | Goal setting and management | Project management with collaboration |
| Target Users | Freelancers, small businesses, agencies | Service-based businesses, field technicians | Sales teams, customer service teams | Individuals, teams | Marketing teams, creative agencies, project managers |
| Time Tracking | Robust time tracking with detailed reports | Basic time tracking | Limited time tracking | Time tracking with goal setting and progress tracking | Robust time tracking with customizable reports |
| Project Management | Basic project management features | Streamlined work order management with dispatch and scheduling | Limited project management features | Goal-based project management with task management | Advanced project management with Gantt charts and workload management |
Timely
Features:
- Automatic time tracking for tasks and projects.
- Calendar integration for scheduling and planning.
- Reporting and analytics on time usage.
- Mobile apps for on-the-go tracking.
The knowledge of how your company spends its time is fundamental, regardless of whether or not you bill for it. Timely has the ability to automatically record everything that your team works on, which makes the entire process of tracking time more efficient. While simultaneously improving the accuracy of reporting and invoicing, it significantly reduces the overhead associated with time management. Still, it is one of the best small business management software that you can consider.
Pros
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
- Advanced time tracking and scheduling features.
- Seamless integration with various project management and productivity tools.
Cons
- Limited reporting capabilities in the basic plan.
- Pricing might be a bit high for some users.
Expodite
Features:
- Task management and tracking.
- Collaboration features for teams.
- Customizable workflows and templates.
- Integration with popular productivity tools.
Expodite is an all-in-one, easy-to-use cloud-based order management system that was made to meet the specific needs of Indian exporters. Expodite streamlines the whole order management process with its many features and functions. This helps exporters run their businesses more efficiently and do well in the global market. Overall, it is one of the best small business management software that you can consider.
Pros
- Streamlined expense management and tracking.
- Real-time visibility into project costs and budgets.
- Customizable reporting and analytics features.
Cons
- Limited integration options with other software.
- Some users may find the interface less intuitive compared to other solutions.
HubSpot CRM
Features:
- Contact management and organization.
- Sales pipeline tracking and management.
- Email tracking and automation.
- Reporting and analytics on sales activities.
HubSpot is a CRM system that can be used by individuals, small businesses, and large companies. HubSpot is best known for their email marketing software, but they also offer a range of other tools for marketing, sales, customer service, and running your business, such as email workflows and a custom website builder, so you can run your whole business from one place. This is the best small business management software that you can consider.
Pros
- Free to use with robust features for managing contacts and sales pipelines.
- Easy integration with other HubSpot tools and third-party applications.
- Powerful marketing automation capabilities.
Cons
- Advanced features like marketing automation may require upgrading to paid plans.
- Limited customization options in the free version.
Striven
Features:
- Comprehensive ERP solution.
- Project management and task tracking.
- CRM functionality for customer management.
- Financial management and accounting tools.
The cloud-based ERP solution Striven works for businesses and groups of all sizes. Accounting, inventory, HR, project management, CRM, and more can be done with it. Striven offers a company hub, integrated calendar, social media-integrated internal newsfeed, dynamic feedback tools, external action triggers, dashboard customisation, resource navigator, custom reporting, and more. Overall, this is one of the best small business management software.
Pros
- Comprehensive suite for enterprise resource planning (ERP).
- Modular design allows for scalability and customization.
- Integration with various third-party applications for enhanced functionality.
Cons
- Implementation and onboarding process can be time-consuming.
- Higher pricing compared to some other ERP solutions.
Wrike
Features:
- Task and project management with Gantt charts.
- Collaboration and communication tools.
- Customizable workflows and automation.
- Integration with third-party apps and tools.
Wrike is a cloud-based project management tool for groups of 20 or more people that can be used by both large businesses and small businesses. It lets different teams work from home. This programme has Gantt charts, calendars, a workload view for managing resources, personalized dashboards, and updates that happen in real time. Setting things up is easy with folders, projects, and tasks, and tasks can be automatically assigned based on their status. Currently, this is one of the best small business management software.
Pros
- Flexible project management features suitable for various industries.
- Real-time collaboration and communication tools.
- Integration with popular business tools like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.
Cons
- Interface can be overwhelming for new users.
- Some advanced features may require higher-tier subscription plans.
Tips for Implementing Small Business Management Software Successfully
It takes careful planning and execution to successfully set up small business management software. Here are some tips to help you make sure the implementation goes well:
Set Clear Goals: Write down clear goals and objectives for putting the software into use. Know what you want to accomplish, whether it’s expanding your business, making things run more smoothly, or giving better customer service.
Bring in Key Stakeholders: Bring in key stakeholders from different teams or departments to help make decisions. Ask people who will be using the software on a regular basis what they think so you can better understand their needs and wants.
How to Choose the Right Software: Do some research and pick small business management software that fits your needs, your budget, and your needs for growth. Think about things like features, how easy it is to use, how well it integrates with other systems, and customer service.
Give Enough Training: Spend money on training programmes to make sure your employees know how to use the software correctly. Provide hands-on training, online guides, user manuals, and ongoing support to answer any questions or address any concerns.
Customise and Set Up: Make changes to the software so that it works with the way your business works. Settings, user permissions, and notifications can all be changed to fit your needs and preferences.
How Small Business Management Software Can Improve Efficiency
There are many different ways in which the utilisation of software for the management of a small business can significantly increase the productivity of the business. The following is a list of some of the most significant benefits:
Streamlined Operations: Small business management software usually combines different parts of running a business, like accounting, human resources, customer relationship management (CRM), inventory management, and project management. By putting these tasks in one place, companies can make their operations run more smoothly, cut down on waste, and avoid making mistakes when entering data by hand.
Automation of Tasks That Need to Be Done Over and Over: A lot of small business management software includes automation as a core feature. Automating tasks like email marketing, tracking inventory, processing payroll, and sending invoices can save time and make mistakes less likely. This lets workers focus on tasks that add more value and help the business grow.
Better communication and teamwork: A lot of small business management software has tools for working together that make it easier for team members to talk to each other and do work together. Instant messaging, shared calendars, task assignments, and the ability to share files and calendars all help teams stay organised and in touch, no matter where they are located.
Better management of customer relationships: CRM features are an important part of software for managing small businesses. Businesses can keep track of their interactions with customers, manage their sales leads, and look at customer data to find patterns and learn more about their tastes. Businesses can give better customer service and make them happier by keeping all of their customer information in one place.
Data insights can help you make better decisions: A lot of small business management software comes with reporting and analytics tools that help you understand how your business is doing. Businesses can make smart decisions and find ways to improve by looking at important metrics like sales revenue, inventory levels, customer acquisition costs, and employee productivity.
FAQs
PMOs benefit from Jira’s native Agile project management features like Scrum and Kanban boards, backlog management, sprint planning, and burndown charts.
Jira falls short in user experience and task management utility compared to Asana. Both products initially resemble each other.
