Any entrepreneur will know that starting a new small business can be tough, especially as new roadblocks begin to crop up that you never envisioned having to deal with when you first started writing your business plan. As the workload starts to pile up and more and more bills start to roll in, limited time, manpower and your business budget can all be factors that contribute to increasing difficulty. However, by implementing the right tools and employing a solid team, you will be able to soon be on the way to fully reaching your business potential. We’ve put together a list of essential software programs you should be considering using to help you get the most out of your small business.

Google Analytics

When starting a new business, it’s all about the numbers. Questions such as how much traffic your website generates, where that traffic comes from, and the demographics of your target audience all play an important factor when it comes to the success of your business startup. Since tracking all of these numbers is no easy feat, Google Analytics is an essential tool. With a reputation for services that are easy to use and also innovative, Google’s statistics tool is no exception to Google’s range. It allows for users to view the countries that their site has been visited from, the percentage differences in key traffic drivers along with their key numbers which are broken down by days, months, or even years. Google Analytics also accommodates for the less tech-savvy individuals by using clearly marked and simple to understand charts and graphs.

Cloud Software

Storing files and documents on physical hardware carries a number of risks, which become even more serious when it comes to business use. Cloud software is an essential part of any business as it allows for important documents and files to be safely stored online, minimizing the risk of loss through damage to physical hardware such as PC computers, hard drives, or data storage hardware. There are a number of different cloud services available to choose from, including Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and iCloud. The cloud service that you choose will depend on the specific needs of your business.

Antivirus Software

You wouldn’t use your personal computer without installing a good antivirus software, and it’s even more imperative that you protect your business computers and other gadgets from the potential risk of hackers using viruses and malicious malware. Each computer that you use for business should be set up with a good security software program that includes a firewall, antivirus security, antispyware, and other services to ensure that your business details and documents are kept safe and secure. If there is sensitive customer information stored on business accounts or computers, the use of antivirus and security software becomes even more crucial for data protection. To learn more about antivirus programs for business, click here.

Odesk

Starting a successful business often means utilizing the skills and expertise of others. For many entrepreneurs, hiring freelancers and telecommute staff who work from home and send work over the internet is a more cost effective option and without the means to hire full-time staff, paying per-project contractors is a very appealing option. In order to avoid wasting time looking for the perfect candidate for the job, Odesk is able to streamline the process for you by providing you with a list of experienced freelancers and contractors along with their previous experience and samples of their previous work. Odesk also handles all transactions in order for you to be able to pay your contractor completely stress free.

Skype

It’s not just romantic long distance relationships that Skype has revolutionized, as it’s also had an effect on the relationships between business owners and clients, allowing clients from overseas and other areas to order products without having to pay expensive telephone fees. Its video capabilities are also great for large groups, and the phone service also provides an effective and inexpensive way to carry out group and conference calls, as well as simply contact clients. Its chat service is also an effective way in which you can keep in touch with clients and telecommute staff and there is even an app available so that you can stay connected even when using a gadget such as a tablet or smartphone.

If you are a small business owner, we would love to hear which software packages you find the most useful, and how they have benefitted you and your business. Leave your response in the comments.