Software products run the world today. It’s hard to find companies that don’t use software to run. And if they do, they operate at a big disadvantage to businesses that utilize technology to get more done.
That’s why it’s no surprise that so many companies see software as a means to success. Reports show that 38% of companies consider cloud software (SaaS) vital to business success.
Finding the right software for your business means avoiding common mistakes with business software shopping. Keep reading to learn seven common mistakes people make when looking for a business software provider.
1. Not Getting Employee Viewpoints
A big thing to remember when buying software for business is that you probably won’t be the person using it. The people on your team will be the ones doing the hard work. You may not have enough insight into their jobs to make intelligent buying decisions.
Ensure you reach out to each department for feedback about the next steps. They will let you know about the areas they struggle with and can use software to help.
Gather a list of requirements from these departments. For instance, look at your IT department.
They may have servers that they need to manually log into to take care of issues. But if you want to be more effective and allow them access from anywhere, you can shop for Microsoft Remote Desktop to make things easier for them.
2. Not Verifying Integration
The chances are good that you’ll use a lot of software to run your business. You need software that will meet the needs of your different business functions. This includes software for IT, finances, design, and other business departments.
Unfortunately, this also means your data will become isolated if you aren’t careful. You can use some of your software between departments, so you need a way to connect applications.
Modern software offers many integrations. For instance, you can tie your customer service software to a customer record to see what products they have purchased. Look for integrations like this to find software that works well together and will streamline your operation.
3. Ignoring the User Experience
There will be some situations when you’ll find software with every feature you need. The program will help your business function better when you can make the most of everything it offers.
But some applications aren’t simple to use. They have complicated user interfaces that work against the people using the programs.
Having many features isn’t worth much if you struggle to use them. The software you buy needs a simple user interface that helps workers get more done. Don’t hesitate to choose another program if the one you’re looking at isn’t easy to use.
4. Not Comparing Prices
There is a lot of variation in pricing for business software. Some companies charge by the user, which is a problem if you plan for several people to use the software. Other companies will charge a monthly fee and allow you to set up as many users as you want.
Make sure you understand how pricing works when comparing software costs. A program may appear inexpensive at a glance, but once you dig into the pricing details, you’ll find that the cost is much higher.
Determine how much you’ll pay today and how much you’ll pay in the future when you scale. It’s also possible to get sucked into cheap pricing, only to find yourself paying much more when you need more users or features.
5. Sticking With Pre-Built Solutions
There are a lot of pre-built software solutions that are great for what they do. They can meet most of a company’s needs and add enough benefits to be worth getting over the other options.
But you aren’t limited to pre-built software. You can also create custom software that’s tailored to your unique needs.
You can hire developers to do whatever you imagine. You’re able to start from scratch on something new or create custom plugins for existing software that extends the program’s features.
6. Skipping the Trials
The last thing you should do is buy software before you try it. There may be some cases where your options are limited, and you need to start with a program without trying it first. However, most software companies don’t operate this way.
Most companies entice potential customers with free trials. It’s not expensive for most vendors to set up accounts and let people try for a few days.
Use this time to try all the features available on an application. Get your team members to give input during this process and have them tell you which software appears to be the best choice.
7. Check Out Software Reviews
Things may appear great at a glance when you’re looking at your options for software. A vendor appears to offer every feature you need, so it makes sense to jump straight into buying the application.
But before you make this step, it pays to look at user reviews. You never know what experience you’ll get after you make a purchase, even if a software company has a great sales page.
Reading online reviews will help you do this. Check the software review websites on the internet and reach out to business owners you know who have made the same decision. These reviews will help you determine if a program and company are as good as they appear,
Don’t Make Mistakes With Business Software Shopping
Finding the right business software provider can be a game changer for a business. It allows you to automate many tasks, visualize data efficiently, and use more data to make better decisions. However, not all software is created equal.
There are many mistakes with business software shopping that will lead you to make wrong purchasing decisions. Avoid making the mistakes above to find the perfect software for your business.
Do you have any other important business decisions coming up? Check out the blog to learn more about making smart business choices.
