Apps can be quite useful for business. Let’s discuss some apps that might just make your business run a little smoother and your projects read a little clearer.
Technology is all around us and in some cases, in front of us all. day. long. Using technology to communicate with managers, co-workers, and customers can be convenient and rather helpful if you use the correct tools. These tools are often known as applications (apps); programs that can be added to your own personal technology to perform a function. Functions can be specific to entertainment, organization, business, education, or any other function you might need. I’ve compiled a list of apps and software that could be useful for small businesses, their operations, or their employees.
Project Management
Monday
Monday is a workflow wizard! Building blocks assist you in putting together the ideal workflow for your business and employees. Whatever you need to manage, Monday can organize it for you, from design and marketing to sales and HR. It works likes this: all employees can have access to the team iteration, essentially a digital dash board with all of your company’s projects listed with steps for each team as well as campaign timelines. Then, your teams can communicate with one another, send documents, update their progress, and mark when their part of the assignment is complete. This is just the basic set up of what Monday has to offer.
Monday is technically an OS or operating system, which means they offer other applications to make Monday even more convenient and workable for you! These apps target the core of the business with products such as Monday Marketer, Monday Sales CRM, and Monday Projects, among others. And if that wasn’t enough, you can integrate the tools you already use, such as Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Dropbox, and even Adobe Creative Cloud. This app is sounding ridiculously well thought out!
Get started with the Free Plan at monday.com/
Asana
Asana is very similar to Monday, but with a different layout and is the application I use for project management. Complex work can easily be organized into categories based on department and priority level. A full dashboard shared with all employees shows upcoming, in-progress, and finished projects. Employees are able to be tagged in assignments meant for them and by clicking on these assignments, can see the details of the project as well as priority levels and due dates. Members are also able to add comments, questions, and documents to these assignments.
Cross team work becomes much simpler to execute as Asana offers programs for marketing, operations, IT, products, and sales departments. Plus, Asana can be integrated with a variety of the tools you already use such as Gmail, Adobe Creative Cloud, Zoom, and many more. For this reason and the visual aspect of seeing projects across a timeline, I enjoy using Asana for project management.
Try Asana’s basic plan for free at asana.com
Social Media Marketing
Buffer
If you’re short a marketing team, you have too much on your plate. Social media management can be time consuming and if it’s not a priority, it often gets overlooked. This is where Buffer steps in. Buffer is a social media marketing tool. The greatest benefit of Buffer is it’s ability to schedule posts across various platforms. You can also customize posts to fit with the culture of each platform.
Buffer also offers analytics in which you receive performance data for each individual platform. This will help you to know if your posts are effective or need some work. In addition, you can also engage with followers through Buffer without having to leave the software. What I love about this app is that you won’t have to skip around to all of the social media sites to post, analyze, and engage; it is all contained in one app.
Use Buffer for free at buffer.com/
Canva
Canva is an awesome tool for graphic designers and not graphic designs. This application makes it incredibly easy to create, schedule, and post digital marketing material. Through this app you’ll have access to hundreds of design templates for whatever platform you want to market on. Start with a template or start from scratch, either way you can change fonts, colors, photos, design elements, and add your own if you’d like. Then post it directly from Canva to your social media platforms. Canva even has the ability to transform your design from a post to a story by switching up the dimensions of the design for you. You’ll also have access to a social media calendar in which you can schedule your posts, so you can set it and forget it.
The awesome advantage of Canva is that it is not meant only for social media marketing. You will also have the ability to create email marketing campaigns, planner pages, invitations, brochures, annual reports, and so much more. As a graphic designer, I love using Canva for our company’s social media posts; it assists me in keeping a consistent design across all platforms.
Try Canva for free at canva.com
Email Marketing
MailChimp
Although I placed MailChimp in the email marketing category, it has a lot of features to offer. MailChimp is a marketing plus commerce app which can help you get your business online with a custom domain and grow your business with marketing tools. As with Monday, you will be able to integrate the tools you already use with MailChimp to make it easier for you to maximize the app’s abilities.
The email marketing feature of MailChimp comes with it’s own features such as design, targeting tools, and analytics. With the app, you’ll be able to create eye catching designs and target them to the correct audience, which will essentially up your commerce game. Email campaigns are a great way to reach your audience and grow your business.
MailChimp has a variety of plans, one of which is free! Get started at mailchimp.com
There are an overwhelming amount of applications you can use to make your business run smoother and your messages come across clearer. With integrations, add on applications, and multiple features and benefits, each of these apps will assist your team with workflow, marketing, and maximizing your efforts. And the great part is, you can try all of these apps for free! Happy working!