Software apps help end users do one or several tasks. Right now, chances are that you’ve got more than one app open on your computer or mobile phone. Nowadays, the question is not if you must use tools, but which you should use. 

There is no shortage of options with thousands of marketing app development tools available. However, with the enormous amount of tools and applications, how do custom software developers choose the best? In today’s competitive marketing world, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. 

There are fortunately so many wonderful tools to help you and your team stay on top of the game, helping your business be more efficient, productive, and strategic. Business organizations nowadays, before investing in another new application and investing in custom software development services, want to know and understand what the competitors are using and what’s relevant to their industry. Boosting a business nowadays means using some of the free applications available in the market. 

Useful Free Apps to Boost Your Business

Small business owners always are on the go, whether at a meeting or conference, a job site, networking event, or speaking gig, work from home, or at an office setting. Small business mobile applications that a custom software development company develops help keep you organized and boost efficiency. 

Here are some of the extremely useful free applications to jumpstart your brand. 

1. Scanner App

The free small business app allows you to send forms and documents on the go. It takes pictures of documents and converts them into a JPEG or PDF. Moreover, you could take several photos and roll them to a single document and you could even add a signature. 

This application has been installed in 300 million-plus devices. With this productive tool, you can easily store and use your document across different platforms. You can also get different versions of scanner application for iOS and Androids

2. Gusto

Owner of a small business with a team to run, the Gusto app could be a lifesaver. It handles payroll, taxes, and benefits all in a single powerful mobile application. It helps report new government hires, onboard new employees, handles all federal taxes, state, federal, and local levels, deducts compensation of workers automatically, and emails pay stubs to employees. 

3. LinkedIn

Probably, you already have this business networking platform on your computer, but getting the app is truly worth it. A powerful marketing tool, a lot of business organizations often use it. 

LinkedIn lets you add new connections, recruit new hires, send updates on the go, keep an eye on the competition, and follow inspirational organizations. 

4. Square

Right now, the payment app for a small business. Small businesses, such as retail shops, beauty salons, and food trucks all would benefit from Square. It comes with a free reader that allows you to swipe credit cards, the app is free to download. 

The tiny reader attaches to the phone or other device and lets you process payments easily and fast. From all credit card transactions, it deducts 2.75 percent. You have to pay more for a reader that accepts contactless and chip cards. 

5. Wunderlist

With Wunderlist, you could skip complex small business management applications. The app keeps things simple yet effective. Furthermore, it’s a to-do list you could share with the team. 

It automatically syncs, thus employees could see what things are done and those that are pending still. The basic version is free, and the business app starts at $4.99 for every user, enabling you to delegate tasks to employees, set deadlines, create subtasks, and add notes and reminders. 

6. Shopventory

This is an incredible, simple solution for small business inventory, with robust inventory management capacities. You could compare locations, check profit margins, and see the trends in sales. It helps you see what items are not selling well so you could discount it. 

Moreover, if the app suspects theft, it will alert you. It helps small businesses to stay updated on their inventory. Definitely, when it comes to managing small business inventory, it’s one of the best applications around. Although it has no payment processing on its own, it integrates with systems such as Shopify, Square, PayPal Here, and more. 

7. Contxts

For networking your small business, this application lets you send in a text message the information you have included already in your business card. Either you could ask your contact to send a message to you on your account via 50500, and the details will be automatically texted back. 

The app also lets you export contacts and add links in the details to your site, social media pages, and LinkedIn page among others. The app is free to use, aside from any other SMS costs from the service provider. It even works on any cellular phone, even those that are not smartphones.

8. PicMonkey

Small businesses could easily have a social media presence with this free photo editing tap. The app crop pictures for social media platforms, such as Instagram or edit a picture on your site. PicMonkey is a terrific app to help market your small business. 

To edit pictures, it’s not necessary for you to have any graphic design experience. An amazing, yet user-friendly application that has a feature which enables you to create professional-looking pictures in a flash. 

9. TripIt

Small businesses that take numerous business trips find the app a lifesaver. It gathers all travel details and sends alerts regarding changes in flight. It helps you look for a different flight and have the best seat. 

Itineraries could be emailed to the app and your travel schedule will be updated on all devices. Furthermore, you could see your itinerary even offline to avoid roaming if you’re outside the country. The basic account is free and the Pro version costs $49 annually. 

10. MileIQ

It certainly gets the job done even if it’s not a fancy app. It’s a free mileage tracker application that keeps tabs of up to 40 trips and could monitor numerous vehicles. Trips could be grouped as business or personal related and you could employees could add notes. 

Also, the app handily calculates the amount you could deduct on taxes for every trip. It integrates with FreshBooks as well, this data could be imported, and trips could be added to cost reports. This makes mileage reporting and claiming a deduction a snap during tax time.

11. HelloSign

Build and manage contracts easily from one place to another to quickly close deals. With the app, you could autofill contact information, request signatures, and keep tabs of status. Also, you could see signature status and last view to determine when to follow up with leads. 

HelloSign allows you to sign, sync, and deliver contracts in an average of 44-minute turnaround time. All contracts could be managed seamlessly from place to place. 

Conclusion

For your small business to compete in the highly competitive market these days, then you should adapt to the evolving trends and uphold a sturdy mobile presence. To boost your brand, you can seek a custom application development service to build solutions that make your services more accessible to users.

Writer note

Eric Jones is a Strategist. He would like to share ideas on technological trends, with  5+ years of experience He has been exploring the area of technology to produce interactive content on various subjects, including mobile apps, software development, and design, tech, etc.