Running an online business is a learning experience. Especially as algorithm’s change and more competition enters the already competitive market. Using the right tools from the beginning will help you run your operations efficiently and effectively. Tools can help your recognize areas of your business that might need more attention. In short, with the proper tools you can make appropriate changes right away without failing. Let’s take a look at 5 tools that will help your internet startup become successful from the get-go.
Time Tracking
Tracking time for a startup company is very important. For a company to be successful they need to create a budget that details time spent on certain projects and how much time and money is needed to achieve a bigger goal. If a company can figure out how much time is being spent on certain projects from the beginning is should be easy to go back and revise the initial business plan or goals if needed. There are many cloud timesheet tracking programs available. For example, TrackMyPeople is an online timesheet that uses a personal wiget for users to track their time from their desktop. Time tracking applications will also help business owners manage the efficiently of their workers and figure out if they need to hire more people or should be outsourcing work that is sucking up time.
Internet and Phone Services
Any successful company in the digital age needs high speed internet and phone services. It’s important to have Smartphones so that you can answer customers wherever you are but it’s also important to have a land line. There are some great internet phone services available to make your startup easier. A Mobile Office Application allows users to place and receive calls on their cell phone using their landline phone number as long as it’s provided by Phone.com. There are also phone tools that allow you to track and manage phone calls so you don’t miss important leads and can create geo- targeted data.
eCommerce Solutions
If your internet startup sells anything online, an eCommerce system will be beneficial in order to manage transactions from PayPal or other online checkout applications. One eCommerce solution program is GoodBarry, now known as Adobe Business Catalyst, which will help you run your website, e-mail marketing and online store. Conversion rates are what increase your bottom line so for startup companies being in control of this will help your decipher information that can be important for analyzing keywords, competitors and other measures that can help with SEO.
Marketing
Internet marketing suites that integrate your website with your online marketing efforts will help you manage the reach of your social media platforms. Instead of just doing tasks, it’s important to take a step back and gauge how effective your efforts are. A few examples of companies that offer marketing suits are StartPR and HubSpot.
Feedback
As a startup company it’s imperative to gain valuable feedback about your product or services. RivalMap is an application that will get everyone in your company on the same page. By monitoring and sharing market news on this application you will gain knowledge about industry and competitors and be able to discuss information and get the valuable information you need.
Guest Post submitted by Paul Brooks who is a representative of Phone.com, an internet-based company specializing in home and business phone services, virtual office, virtual number, and enterprise.
This is a good overview of a few useful services for doing business on your own, but doesn’t it seem a bit lazy not to link to the specific tools you mentioned?
HAHA good point Thomas! This was a submitted guest post I scheduled 2 weeks ago. I usually just paste in what is provided to me, but links would certainly be helpful here. Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll add some in!