Choosing the Right Software can be difficult, especially if you’re working with limited resources and trying to do it all yourself.
However, choosing the right software not only can make your life easier but also can contribute to your business’s success and growth.
Here are 8 key factors to consider when choosing the right software for your business.
1) Vision
Once you understand how your business will make money, think about your vision.
- Why did you start your business?
- How will it look in 5 years? 10 years?
The clearer you are on what you want and where you’re going, the easier it will be to make decisions that move your company in that direction.
Having a clear vision is especially important when times get tough—when you’re faced with an opportunity or challenge, it will help guide your decision-making process.
This doesn’t mean you should have all of your goals laid out from day one; rather, keep an open mind and stay flexible as you learn more about your industry and gather feedback from customers.
As long as your vision is tied to making money (and not just personal fulfillment), it’s a good place to start!
2) Goals
It’s easy to get lost in functionality when evaluating software. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming trying to find software that is right for your business.
So you might miss an important feature or option if you’re not clear on what it is you’re looking for. Be sure to nail down a clear set of goals before evaluating software.
This will help ensure that you focus on all factors related specifically to your needs, rather than those of a different company entirely.
For example, if you want to track inventory, but none of your top contenders offer that feature, you should look elsewhere.
And if one product has everything you need and another has one key factor missing (like live chat support), make sure that particular detail isn’t enough to sway your decision against it.
3) Budgets
If you want to run a successful company, chances are you’ll need some sort of software. Whether it’s Google Apps or accounting software like QuickBooks, software is essential.
Determine how much you can afford and how long you expect your business to take off. This will help narrow down your choices, since enterprise software can be expensive.
Start by speaking with an accountant or talking with people who are knowledgeable about these matters and will keep it confidential if possible.
It’s also important to think about whether you want something that’s cloud-based (accessible from anywhere) or on-premises (stored on computers at your office).
4) Experience and resources
A great piece of software is only as good as its creators. Choose wisely and you’ll end up with a product that has ongoing support and longevity. Which means better value in your long run.
Also look at what experience a business owner has when it comes to creating software, running businesses, and so on.
A business owner who knows what it takes to be successful is more likely to create software that meets your needs.
And if they’ve been in business for awhile, they may have even dealt with some of your potential issues before and can offer advice on how to avoid them.
Finally, ask about customer service. If something goes wrong or if you need help using their software, will there be someone there to talk to? Good customer service should always be a priority!
5) Stability of industry
Stability is a key factor when choosing a software. Make sure that there’s not too much fluctuation in your industry.
You don’t want something that has a lot of cash flow issues because it may make it harder for you to run a business.
If you can, try and find a software that will be around for at least 5 years so that you can really get an idea of how well it works. If they have been around for awhile, chances are they are stable and have been able to keep up with changes in technology.
This means that they are reliable and should last as long as you need them.
Let’s say I was starting a moving company.
This is what I would do: Find 3-5 moving companies (in my area) that have great reputations based on reviews or other websites.
Like Yelp or Angie’s List Go to their website Find out who built their website Find out if any of these companies use Drupal 8 Start asking questions!
How long have you used Drupal? Why did you choose Drupal?
6) Sustainability of product/service/brand
Do you know how long your product/service/brand will be needed? Do you have a plan to adapt if your product becomes obsolete?
Knowing how long your service or product will be needed is important when considering which software solution is right for you.
Companies who want sustainable solutions that can grow with them should look at software that offers more than one line of business, such as Salesforce1 and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
7) Scalability and flexibility
Some software can only handle a certain number of customers or projects. If you know that your business is going to grow rapidly
Then look for software with built-in scalability features and a modular structure, which makes it easy to add on new features later.
It’s also worth checking whether there are any limitations on how many users can access the system at once.
Finally, be sure to consider how long your vendor will support older versions of its software. You don’t want to be left high and dry when your provider stops supporting older systems.
8) Learning curve required by staff members
One of your main concerns when choosing software should be how long it will take your staff members to familiarize themselves with it.
Pick something that everyone can easily use and you’ll see a reduction in office inefficiency.
This doesn’t mean you should overlook more complex offerings just because they require an investment of time upfront, but ease-of-use should certainly factor into your decision.
