5 Cloud-Based Tools Every Small Business Should Be Using
Trying to run your small business on a budget? No problem. Thanks to Software as a Service (SaaS) and cloud-based applications, startups and small businesses have access to the same resources as large corporations. That means that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get the tools you need to run your business efficiently.
The cloud has revolutionized the way that today’s businesses operate. You don’t have to invest in expensive equipment or worry about maintenance, because everything you need to do business is hosted in the cloud and maintained by whichever provider you choose.
You can improve the way that you do business with these essential cloud-based tools:
Cloud Storage
What would happen if all of the files stored on your computer’s local drive were destroyed? (Let’s say that your computer was infected by a virus, or you accidentally spilled your morning coffee on your laptop.)
If you use cloud storage, nothing would happen! All of your documents would be stored securely in the cloud. While you might still have to replace your computer, all of your data would remain safe.
Plus, documents stored in the cloud are accessible from almost any device. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access files in cloud storage from your smartphone, your laptop, or desktop computer.
There are a number of cloud storage tools on the market. Our team uses Google Drive, but you might also want to research these applications:
Project Management Tools
We’ve talked about some of our favorite team project management tools before, but these cloud tools are important enough to revisit. After all, most startups and small businesses face a never-ending “to-do” list. In order to keep your team focused and productive, you can use any one of these cloud-based tools for project management:
Both you and your team can access these tools and collaborate on projects from any device, including your smartphone.
Screen Sharing
Today’s startups and small businesses work with customers and team members all around the world. Screen sharing allows your team to work as though they were sitting next to each other, even if they’re halfway across the globe.
Google Hangouts are a great way to host online meetings and easily share your screen with co-workers. Other solutions include WebEx, Zoom, and Citrix GoToMeeting. Zoom offers a Basic plan, which includes a lot of functionality for no cost.
Instant Messaging Apps
When you’re busy running a startup or a small business, you probably don’t have time to wait for a lengthy email response to important questions. Instant messaging allows you to skip the game of email tag and communicate with your office staff in real time.
Many instant messaging applications, like HipChat and Slack, also offer group chat, allowing you to easily coordinate communication on certain projects.
Other key features team chat features can include video calls, screen sharing, and more.
Task Note Applications
We already talked about how you can store important documents using cloud storage. But what about all of the quick notes that you write to yourself on a daily basis? And what about collaborative projects with notes from multiple team members?
Cloud-based task note apps are a great tool because they allow you to manage, organize, and even share all of your project notes. Plus, you can access them from multiple devices; no matter when inspiration strikes, you can review or add to your team’s project notes.
There are a lot of cloud-based task note applications available, but here are just a few of our favorites:
Cloud-Based Tools for Startups and Small Businesses
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