Whether you need help managing your social accounts or greater control of an overflowing inbox, there’s an app to suit. But which one is right for you and your business?
Take charge of social media
Businesses that are active on social media, but don’t have time to constantly update lots of accounts may find If This Then That (IFTTT) a big help. It has been a handy tool for Cassian Horowitz, co-founder of The Clerkenwell Brothers agency, which works with start-ups.The desktop and mobile app allows users to set up automated triggers – called “applets” – between social accounts and online services. When the first event occurs, a second is automatically triggered.
Some triggers are basic. For example, when an Instagram photo is uploaded, the tool will automatically post it as a full image to a Twitter account page.
It can also help with other functions, such as sharing the performance of your most recent newsletter with the marketing team or tracking work hours in Google Calendar.
“It’s easy to use and free,” says Mr Horowitz. “As more aspects of our lives move online – calendars, contacts, shopping and so on – the potential for saving time and money through this tool will increase.”
Turn a lead into a sale
For companies that handle several clients at a time, sales management tool, Pipedrive (an Android and iOS app) allows project files to be accessed by lots of people. Clara Vaisse, co-founder of drinks company, Sibberi, says it keeps all of the company’s client prospects in one place and moves qualified leads through the sales funnel, from idea to winning the sale.“Since we’re a drinks company, virtually any place could be a potential client of ours – large retail chains, gyms, offices and so on,” she says. “The number of opportunities is exciting, but it can be overwhelming for a small team.”
PipeDrive automatically logs all calls and emails with potential clients, integrates with mobile and automatically reminds users to follow up leads when the time comes. It also creates data sets for analytics. “We realised, for example, that canteens required twice as many follow-up calls than health stores, but fewer meetings in person,” she adds.
The introductory silver package starts at $10 (£8) per month, per user.
Keep security simple
To keep social media and email accounts secure, the LastPass password management tool can help reduce the time and stress of logging in to lots of different accounts.Alina Cincan, managing director of translation company, Inbox Translation, says that the tool (a web browser extension and a mobile app for Android and iOS) streamlines the process of logging into various online services by creating a central, secure LastPass account that houses all the passwords you need. It also saves the details of each account so that you don’t have to fill them in manually next time.
“It generates very complex passwords that will satisfy any requirement,” says Ms Cincan “All I have to do is press a button and I’m securely logged in [to my Twitter account, for example].”
The app has a free version offering basic features, but charges a monthly fee for premium and business accounts.
Make the most of lists
Running your own business is a tricky balancing act between work and personal life. For Doug Monro, co-founder of job search engine, Adzuna, the organisation app Workflowy (a web app and mobile app for Android and iOS) helped him organise his business and personal commitments. The app is intended to help multi-tasking professionals keep track of important tasks through to-do lists."It has helped me stay on top of all the tasks involved in running a growing business,” he explains. “By allowing users to compile and group to-do lists, it helps me keep track of what I need to do next, short and long term.” Mr Monro adds that it’s simple to use and scalable.
When taking on the management of a new team, the app helped him to balance the demands of several new direct reports with his existing workload. It also helped him navigate a house move while managing his small business.
“Apps such as this are useful. It’s clearly designed, free to download and can be used wherever you are in the world,” he adds.
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