Figuring out how to manage your IT services cost-effectively is essential for any small business. Thankfully, cloud-based solutions are here to save the day. The most important thing for small and medium businesses (SMBs) to focus on is building their company. Usually, this means that time and expertise are often running thin. Luckily, there has been a flood of ‘software as a solution’ companies on the scene (SaaS). From security to payroll management, there’s a SaaS to help you free up some time. Although you will be investing money in the first place, you will make this back through having time to grow your business and not having to put people on your payroll. Below, we’ve gathered together our favorite software solutions.
What is SaaS?
Software as a service (SaaS) is a cloud-based model provided to customers with a subscription or license. Utilizing software in this way means that you won’t need to have extortionate hardware installed; you’re simply borrowing someone else’s. SaaS makes up part of a collection of cloud technologies including platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS).
Safety When Purchasing SaaS
When investing in SaaS, you need to make sure you follow a SaaS security checklist. Like anything online, there are cyber criminals out there waiting to cause mayhem. Studies show that around 70% of organizations have faced online security issues. Luckily, the online world is taking steps to evolve, with businesses dedicating their work to helping others navigate the world of cloud technologies.
If you’re unsure of how to stay safe when purchasing SaaS, you should check out this saas security checklist from Vendr. You use Vendr’s SaaS to work alongside your existing SaaS dashboard. Their software will speak to third parties on your behalf. Prices start at $3000, and are well worth the investment.
Advantages of SaaS
SMBs should use SaaS products to help them take control of essential business functions. Using SaaS can boost productivity and allow business owners to focus on growing their company. Here are some advantages of opting for SaaS:
- Integrate with a range of systems
- Flexible pricing plans
- Real-time security upgrades
- Accessible from any device
- Consistent functionality upgrades
- No need to buy hardware
- Easy to distribute to the workforce
- Simple scalability
No matter which SaaS product you are using, you should expect benefits from the advantages outlined above. In the next part of this article, we will outline our favorite SaaS products for small businesses.
Elink.io
Elink.io is a fantastic content marketing and content curation tool. With this SaaS product, you can translate weblink content into viewable media in a matter of seconds. If you’re creating an email newsletter, you can add in your weblinks and export them to your chosen mail client. However, you need to make sure that they allow for HTML code – Gmail is an excellent choice for this.
Once you’ve got your content sent out, you can track the metrics through their easy-to-use dashboard. If you need some inspiration, you can call on elink.io’s database of stunning layouts, leaving you to focus on the content. If content automation is what you’re looking for, this is the SaaS service for you.
Bit.ai
Bit.ai is perfect for the work-from-home world we live in. Bit.ai is a document collaboration and workspace SaaS platform. The primary purpose of this cloud solution is to bring teams together and allow them to share work across a virtual office. No matter how many groups and projects you have going on, Bit.ai will allow you to create a separate workspace. For each new workspace, you can create interactive documents, knowledge banks, user manuals, and company wikis.
Once your teams have finished up with their respective projects, they can upload their work and save it to the content hub. This is the shared library and will allow anyone to view and collaborate. If you’re looking for a great tool for managing your business remotely, this is a must-have.
ProofHub
Proofhub is a handy SaaS product that lets leaders break down complex projects into manageable tasks. You can assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress all from one central hub. All of this comes alongside features for collaboration. If you need to contact your team, you can chat with them and share digital files. This solution is easy to understand, cost-effective, and powerful for project management.
Slack
Slack has become one of the most popular communication SaaS on the scene. This software brings together all of your remote workforces and puts them together in one place. If you’re familiar with Discord, you will easily get to grips with Slack. You can set up channels for different groups and add places for clients to send direct messages. Keeping up with your team is simple with Slack, and you can use it alongside an impressive 2000+ apps.
HubSpot
HubSpot is a fantastic platform that makes inbound marketing a breeze. Further, there is a platform for customer relationship management (CRM) and sales. On top of all of this, you can find an arsenal of helpful information through their well-received blog. With HubSpot on your side, your sales team can convert customers, run marketing campaigns, interact with clients, and measure results through their efforts. On the dashboard, you can automate the publication of content and follow up with any customers. Also, you can manage customer queries effectively.
FreshBooks
If you’re not a fan of the accounting side of the business, you should consider using FreshBooks. Their software is an award-winning solution that makes accounting and invoicing feel like a walk in the park. The product is tailored specifically towards SMBs and will let you take the wheel in the finance department. FreshBooks has an innovative design that’s suitable for rookie accountants. All you need to do is input the correct information and let the software do the rest. If you want to search for trends, you can run retrieve analytical reports that will help you grow your business.
BambooHR
With all this talk of tech, it’s easy to forget about the people that make up your business. With BambooHR, you can effectively manage the people through its effective reporting, employee tracking, and various data modules. With this tool at your disposal, everything you need in the HR department will be at your fingertips. You can create new job openings and take care of the entire onboarding procedure. Instead of using several apps and having files saved all over the network, use BambooHR and bring everything together all in one place.
Managing a small business is hard work, and is usually done with little income or expertise. Luckily, cloud-based businesses have heard the cries for help and brought software as a solution to the forefront. Whether you need support with your finances or help to collaborate with your team, there is a SaaS for everything. While you’re navigating the pool of products, you need to make sure you follow the safety procedures linked above. Although you may feel like some services are expensive, you need to remember that you will make up the money down the line, because you will have time to focus on growing your business.
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
