Small business software is supposed to make running a company easier. But for many small and growing businesses, the opposite can happen.
A new app gets added to solve one problem. Another platform is introduced for a different task. A subscription that seemed inexpensive at first becomes more costly as additional users or features are added. Before long, the business is paying for a collection of tools that may overlap, fail to communicate with one another, or go unused.
Choosing the right business software isn’t about having the most technology. It’s about finding tools that support the way your business actually operates.
For businesses in Kelowna and throughout the Okanagan, taking a more strategic approach to software can help reduce administrative work, improve access to information and prevent unnecessary monthly expenses.
Start With the Business Problem, Not the Software
One of the easiest mistakes to make is choosing software before clearly defining the problem it needs to solve.
A business owner might hear about a popular project management platform, customer relationship management system or accounting application and assume it will improve efficiency. But unless there is a specific need behind the purchase, the software can quickly become another subscription that nobody uses consistently.
Before evaluating a new platform, ask:
- What task or process are we trying to improve?
- How is that work being handled today?
- Where are we losing time?
- Is information being entered more than once?
- Are employees creating their own workarounds?
- What information do we need to access or report on?
- Does software we already pay for provide this functionality?
The answers help establish what the business actually needs before features, pricing and platforms enter the conversation.
Review the Small Business Software You’re Already Paying For
Software subscriptions have a way of accumulating.
A $20 or $30 monthly charge may not seem significant on its own, but several overlapping subscriptions can quickly add hundreds or thousands of dollars to annual operating costs.
Before adding another platform, conduct a simple software audit.
Create a list of every software subscription the company currently pays for and identify:
- Its monthly or annual cost
- Who uses it
- What it is used for
- How frequently it is used
- Whether another platform performs the same function
- Whether the subscription level still makes sense
You may discover software that hasn’t been actively used in months, duplicate services or premium plans with features your company doesn’t need.
This is also an opportunity to identify tools that are being underused. Sometimes the solution isn’t purchasing new software. It’s configuring an existing system properly or helping employees use more of the functionality that’s already available.
Avoid Building a Collection of Disconnected Systems
Individual software platforms can work perfectly well on their own while creating problems for the business as a whole.
For example, customer information might exist in one system, invoices in another, project details somewhere else and important notes in employee email accounts.
When systems don’t communicate, employees often become the connection between them.
That means manually copying information, updating multiple records, searching for documents or asking coworkers where something was saved.
Over time, these small administrative tasks can consume a surprising amount of time.
When evaluating software, consider how it fits into the rest of your business systems. Integrations, data sharing and consistent processes can be just as important as the features offered by the software itself.
Don’t Pay for Features You Don’t Need
Software companies often structure their pricing around feature tiers.
The entry-level version may look inexpensive, while the next level includes automation, reporting, integrations or additional users. It can be tempting to choose the more comprehensive option because it offers greater flexibility.
But more features don’t automatically create more value.
A five-person business generally doesn’t need the same technology infrastructure as a company with 100 employees.
Choose software based on what your business realistically needs today, while considering whether the platform can scale if those requirements change.
Pay particular attention to:
- Per-user charges
- Minimum user requirements
- Storage limits
- Transaction fees
- Add-on features
- Integration costs
- Support fees
- Annual price increases
- Costs associated with moving your data elsewhere
The advertised monthly price isn’t always the true cost of using the software.
Make Sure Your Accounting Software Fits Your Business
Financial software deserves particular attention because poor setup can create problems far beyond inconvenience.
Your accounting system should reflect how your company operates, including revenue streams, expenses, taxes, payroll requirements and financial reporting.
For many small businesses, QuickBooks can provide the necessary functionality without requiring a complicated financial technology stack. However, the value of the software depends heavily on how it is configured and used.
Adding more financial applications doesn’t necessarily improve financial management. In many cases, a properly structured accounting system and consistent processes are more valuable than additional software.
Consider the People Who Will Actually Use It
The best software on paper can still be the wrong software for your business if employees find it difficult to use.
Complexity creates its own costs.
If a platform requires extensive training or adds extra steps to everyday tasks, employees may avoid it and return to spreadsheets, email or other familiar methods. The business then ends up paying for software while maintaining the old process at the same time.
When evaluating a new system, think about the people who will work with it every day.
Is the interface straightforward? Can employees find the information they need? Does it reduce steps or add them? Can new employees learn it reasonably quickly?
Successful software implementation isn’t just a technical decision. It’s also a workflow decision.
Think About Your Business Five Years From Now, But Buy for Today
There is a balance between choosing software your company will immediately outgrow and purchasing an enterprise-level system long before you need it.
Look for platforms that can grow with the business without forcing you to pay for unnecessary complexity today.
That might mean the ability to add users, activate additional functionality or integrate with other systems later.
It doesn’t mean paying now for every feature you might potentially need someday.
Watch for Software That Creates More Administration
A useful test for any new technology is simple:
Does this make the process easier?
If employees have to maintain the software in addition to maintaining the original process, something isn’t working.
Technology should reduce repetitive work, improve access to information or make a process more reliable. If a new system creates additional data entry, duplicate records or more steps, it may not be the right solution.
Sometimes the best improvement isn’t another application. It may be simplifying the workflow itself.
When It Makes Sense to Get an Outside Perspective
It can be difficult to evaluate business systems when you work with them every day.
Processes evolve gradually. Employees develop workarounds. Software gets added as new needs appear. Eventually, inefficient processes can simply become “the way we’ve always done it.”
An outside review can help identify where systems overlap, where administrative time is being lost and where existing technology could be used more effectively.
EasePoint Business Solutions works with businesses to evaluate processes, financial systems and technology with a practical focus on efficiency.
The objective isn’t to introduce technology for the sake of technology. It’s to determine what will genuinely make the business easier to operate.
Before You Buy Another Software Subscription
Before investing in another small business software subscription, take a few minutes to answer five questions:
- What specific problem will this software solve?
- Do we already have software capable of solving it?
- Will it reduce work or create another process to maintain?
- Does it work with the systems we already use?
- What will it really cost us over the next year?
If those answers aren’t clear, it may be worth reviewing the process before choosing the platform.
Need Help Simplifying Your Business Systems?
If your business has accumulated software, spreadsheets and processes that no longer work together efficiently, EasePoint Business Solutions can help you take a closer look.
A practical review of your current systems can identify unnecessary costs, duplicated work and opportunities to make better use of the technology you already have.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a small business spend on software?
There isn’t one appropriate budget for every business. Software costs should be evaluated based on the value the system provides, how frequently it is used and whether it saves enough time or improves operations enough to justify the expense.
How do I know if my business has too many software subscriptions?
Warning signs include paying for platforms that are rarely used, entering the same information into multiple systems, having several applications with overlapping features or employees relying on manual workarounds despite having software intended to handle those tasks.
Should small businesses use all-in-one software?
Sometimes. An all-in-one platform can simplify operations when its features align with the company’s needs. However, a large system isn’t automatically better. The goal should be to create a practical combination of tools that work well together without unnecessary complexity.
Should I replace old software if it still works?
Not necessarily. If the software remains secure, supported and effective for your business, replacing it simply because something newer exists may create unnecessary expense and disruption. The better question is whether your current system is limiting efficiency or preventing the business from doing something it needs to do.
Can EasePoint help us decide which business software we need?
Yes. EasePoint Business Solutions can review existing business processes and systems to identify inefficiencies, duplication and opportunities for improvement. This can help businesses make more informed technology decisions before investing in additional software.