By Shahrum Gilani, CEO/Founder of HandsetExpert
Mobile apps are changing the way we do business. They are more prevalent and useful than ever, and – when used correctly, they can help your business run more efficiently and effectively. Whether it’s to make connections, take down notes, message your team, or even block distracting websites, there’s an app.
There are so many apps on the market designed to help streamline processes and stay organized it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. With that in mind, here are my top ten picks for business apps in 2019:
Otter
https://otter.ai/, Android, iOS
Otter is a transcription app that records audio and converts speech to text on the fly. No automated transcription app is flawless, but Otter does an excellent job. I’ve tested it with various scenarios and a broad range of accents, and I’ve been impressed by its accuracy. Otter pairs the audio and text so you can read the transcript while listening to the recording. You can also edit any inaccuracies manually if needed. The sharing tools come in handy as well. You can get 10 hours of transcription free per month, and premium plans are available for around $10/month.
Notability
iOS only
Notability is a great note-taking app that combines typed notes, handwritten notes, photos, and sketches. One handy feature is the ability to record audio while taking notes. This is helpful if you’re trying to take notes of what’s important and want to keep an audio recording of what’s being discussed. You can also playback the recording and watch the notes unfold in real time. The ability to annotate PDFs and sync/share notes through Google Drive, AirDrop, Dropbox, and email are big bonuses.
Zoom
https://zoom.us/, Android, iOS
Zoom is filling the gap that Skype has left since its much-criticized redesign in the last few years. The audio/video quality is consistently good and straightforward to use. There’s a free plan for occasional use, but if you want to make conference calls regularly, you’ll want to upgrade to a paid plan. Despite recent security concerns, it’s reached a critical mass of users, securing its place as the go-to app for video conferences and webinars.
G Suite
https://gsuite.google.com, Android, iOS
G Suite provides all the Gmail, and Google Drive features you can get from a basic Google account and adds useful tools such as administrative tools to manage accounts and custom email addresses at your domain. So, instead of yourcompanyname@gmail.com, you can send and receive messages from name@yourcompanyname.com. You also get some cloud storage included per account.
Monday
https://monday.com/, Android, iOS
Monday is an incredibly versatile team and resource management tool. Its primary use is designed for tracking projects and tasks, managing deadlines, and team collaboration. However, you can do so much more with its automation and integrations – provided you’re willing to learn how to use it.
https://www.linkedin.com/, Android, iOS
LinkedIn can be beneficial once you get past the constant emails. The size and scale of the network mean that if you’re looking for a specific contact at a particular company, there’s a reasonable chance that you’ll be able to find them or someone who knows them. The paid-for subscriptions (like Sales Navigator) can be helpful with tasks like lead generation. And if you’re at a conference, you can use the QR scanner and the Find Nearby tools in the app to connect to new acquaintances without worrying about losing a bunch of business cards while traveling.
Tripit
https://www.tripit.com, Android, iOS
Tripit is a convenient tool if you travel a lot. It shares much of its functionality with the much-loved and now-defunct Google Trips. Tripit organizes your travel plans into a convenient and straightforward itinerary, so you don’t have to search multiple emails to find your trip details. The basic version is free, but the Pro version ($49/year) adds many more features like a loyalty point tracker, check-in reminders, flight status updates, etc.
Slack
https://slack.com, Android, iOS
Slack has effectively become the default choice of a messaging app for many teams, and with good cause. It’s quick to set up and easy to use. The free version offers plenty of functionality for many. Still, the paid versions provide lots of useful extras (such as the ability to search everything in your message history, unlimited integrations, and guests being able to join your account). The paid version can be quite pricey, but it’s become an essential tool for many.
Freedom
https://freedom.to, Android, iOS
It’s terrifyingly easy to allow distractions to divert you from things that need to get done. Freedom helps you stay focused by blocking distracting apps, websites, or even the internet. You can schedule the blocks in advance so they recur daily or weekly. It is relatively intuitive and even includes a hardcore Locked Mode that prevents you from modifying the blocked sessions when they are running. It provides a free 7-use trial; the premium version is around $2.42/month for a year.
FreeAgent
https://www.freeagent.com/, Android, iOS
FreeAgent is an online bookkeeping tool designed to manage projects, send and track invoices, organize expenses, and sync bank accounts. It’s helpful for people who might not be financially savvy, as it cuts out the complicated jargon and is intuitive with its straightforward interface navigation. However, it only offers a single-tier – making it an all-or-nothing choice that starts with a free trial before transitioning to a monthly cost.
Running any business – especially a small business or startup – can be challenging. But more than ever, the tools we need to save time, improve efficiency, or reduce costs are just a tap away, allowing us to focus on the tasks that matter. It’s impossible to cover every need for every business in a single list, but hopefully, these apps will provide a useful starting point for the vast wealth of tools that can help you run your business.
