Which Software Is Right For My Business?

Every business can benefit from using software to speed up processes and improve organization. But with so many programs out there on the market, how do you know which software is right for you? Certain software may be too simple for your needs, whilst other software may be overly complex. There are also factors such as cost to consider. Here are just some ways to help make the right choice when looking for software for your company.

Check online reviews

Online reviews are great at giving you unbiased information on software including the pros and cons. You may find professional reviews in tech publications are the most insightful as these people have tested lots of different software and so have more know-how when it comes to which programme is best (comparison guides are a great read). That said, user reviews can also be handy as they may offer information in layman terms and show how software can be applied in a real life setting. There are also video reviews out there on Youtube that may include walk-throughs of the software on screen so that you can see what it looks like.

Download free trials

Some software companies will offer the opportunity to download a free trial. This allows you to use the software for a few days and get to grips with its interface, helping you to determine whether its right for you. You can get your employees to test it out too if they’re also going to be using it and then you can vote whether you think it’s worth buying. Free trials may not always give you a full experience of what software is like to use – some features may be locked – but you can get a good idea just from the basic settings whether a programme is right for you.

Attend software demos

Some companies will host software demos in which a spokesperson will give a presentation and answer any questions regarding the software. Software demos can be very salesy and you’re likely to get very biased information as a result, however the chance to ask questions and possibly even negotiate pricing can make demos a worthwhile event. They’re also great chances to network with other business owners and get an idea of a software company’s target market.

Consider specialist software

There’s a lot of generic one-size-fits-all software when it comes to processes like accounting and project management. Some of this software is very popular and therefore has had a lot of money poured into improving it and making it reliable, however it may be too generic for some niche companies that need more specific features. Looking for specialist software such as veterinary software or architect software could be more beneficial in certain cases. It’s worth testing out a mix of specialist and generic software.

Go bespoke

There’s also the option to pay a software development company to build your own software. This could be designed entirely to your specs, giving you all the features you need. This can be more expensive, so make sure that you’re going to get regular use out of this software – it could be a way of combining the functions of multiple programmes into one software, saving you money in the long run.