We all know the importance of optimizing our businesses for mobile, whether that be through a stellar app design or exceptionally mobile-optimized website. After all, consumers in the United States spend up to five hours each day on their mobile devices, according to a study from Flurry Mobile. Talk about phone dependent.
But did you ever take the time to consider that there may be some mobile apps that can optimize your time, too?
Think about it – you’re just as “on-the-go” as your consumers are – especially if you’re an entrepreneur investing plenty of blood, sweat and tears (and money…) into a startup or new venture. It makes perfect sense to reallocate that time spend commuting in Ubers, waiting for meetings to start, or even slow mornings when you just want to check up on something quickly towards, well, more productive things.
Luckily, there are quite literally thousands of mobile apps that can help you grow your business in a myriad of ways – and we’ve got the top 5 that will maximize your time and achieve your goals before you even start your morning coffee.
1. LinkedIn
Cost: Free
Why You Should Download It
Recruiting is a necessary evil. It takes a lot of time and energy to find the perfect team members who understand the brand, its mission and are just as dedicated to growing the company as you are.
Unfortunately, recruiting also take a lot of time. And there’s nothing more frustrating than sifting through resume after resume when you have other tasks that need to get done.
LinkedIn is the perfect solution. The original app – as well as its company and recruiter-specific spinoffs – allow you to network and message connections, set up interviews, and even post jobs (although this feature will cost you).
At the end of the day, LinkedIn can’t be beaten when it comes to finding qualified candidates, and downloading the mobile app will let you do so when it’s convenient for you.
2. QuickBooks
Cost: Free with online subscription
Why You Should Download It
Managing the finances of a new business can be a complicated mess, so who wouldn’t want to make things easier with a streamlined system. If you’re already using Quickbooks to manage your company’s money, downloading their app is a no-brainer.
Being able to access your revenue, costs, and more from the comfort of your phone or tablet make everything from paying vendors to answer questions in impromptu meetings simple.
3. Sprout Social
Cost: Free with paid management account
Why You Should Download It
We all know social media is the tool that keeps 2018 spinning, but each of the many platforms takes a lot of time to grow. This is where a social media management system is helpful.
While there are many other platforms, such as Hootsuite and Buffer, Sprout Social is particularly helpful because it is so complex. You’re able to track your competition, listen to your audience, engage on every platform with ease and schedule all of your posts on the major social media channels in advance, all in one place at one time.
What’s better? Their app provides a seamless experience, meaning you could forgo time spent on the desktop version and never miss a beat.
4. Canva
Cost: Free
Why You Should Download It
Every business needs visual designs, from websites to landing pages to email banners. However, not every budding business has a designer or three in the budget right away.
Canva is a free app that will help you design gorgeous designs for any aspect of your business. Afraid you’re going to mess it up? Don’t be! While Canva offers flexibility in the creation process, everything also comes pre-sized and in the perfect template, so you can stay as regimented in your design as you’d like until you can get that graphic designer on board.
5. Google Analytics
Cost: Free
Why You Should Download It
At the end of the day, recruiting and social media accounts are all well and good, but you’ll need to be tracking how much traffic your business’s website has and where it’s coming from, which is where the King of All Things Internet aka Google comes in.
Google Analytics lets you monitor all of your traffic parameters from the ease of your smartphone, so you can stay abreast of the numbers with ease.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there are plenty of mobile apps that can help you grow your business in any direction you want. However, before you start downloading every program under the sun, take the time to determine exactly who your target demographic is and what your particular goals are. Once you have that foundation set in stone, you’ll be able to find the perfect apps and programs that can grow your users and business in no time, flat.
