The Top 7 Web Applications to Help You Streamline Productivity
As a small business owner or team supervisor, finding ways to boost your team’s productivity is an important focus. There are many well-known tools businesses across the country and around the globe are embracing, such as using Google Calendars for a unified team calendar. But that is only the tip of the iceberg.
When selecting the best business tools and web applications for your team, you want to choose tools that help your team to work more efficiently. These tools speed up the process, reducing possible errors, improving communication between team members, and allowing their team to work to their full potential.
Here are seven web applications that will help you streamline productivity.
1. Digital Database and To-Do List Managers
A database manager that helps you keep all your business projects in one central space is one of the best tools you can incorporate into your business. These tools list the projects your team is working on and include all the information necessary for your team members to complete their work.
There are various digital database tools available for your business needs. Airtable is a popular choice for the variety of ways you can view information, including a clean, modern-looking spreadsheet or a calendar view for deadlines. Other popular alternatives include Trello, Notion, and Basecamp. Some teams build proprietary web applications or tools using a tool like Glide that helps you convert spreadsheets into custom apps.
In addition to storing information, you can set up digital database tools to integrate with other tools like Slack, calendars, and scheduling tools. This integration helps you quickly transfer data between tools and opens the door to different automation options, freeing your team to focus on other aspects of their job.
2. Time Tracking Applications
Time tracking may be an important part of their daily workflow if you have a team working from home, either part or full-time. But manual tracking takes time away from more important work.
Time tracking applications like Clockify, WebWork Time Tracker, and Toggl Track keep records of active time on the computer, recording attendance, tracking time worked, and creating activity-level reports for those in management positions.
These tools also incorporate additional features, including project management, team chats, break, time-off tracking, and website monitoring.
3. Schedule Optimization
Determining how much time your team puts into their work each day isn’t the only element of scheduling that can impact productivity. To make the most of the time available, each person needs to understand better what they are hoping to accomplish in that time. This evaluation includes the time required per project, keeping appointments, and finding the ideal timing for team meetings that are most convenient for everyone involved.
There are many great options for calendar management tools that can incorporate multiple calendars, making collaboration easier. You can use these tools to block time for projects, clearly share time off versus work hours with other team members, and utilize Gantt charts. Examples include Reclaim.ai, Gmelisus, Instagantt, and Workstack.
In addition to setting and maintaining calendars, tools like Doodle and Calendly are available to specifically address scheduling appointments, meetings, and other important events.
4. Email Management Tools
There is no denying email plays an important role in most businesses. But the use and management of email can be overwhelming for those sending and receiving.
Many email management tools help to send, reply to, organize, and track your emails in one convenient dashboard. These features not only help with the feeling of overwhelm but also ensure that you see the most important messages at the right times. Some email management tools to consider for the team include Zendesk, Hiver, Front, and Streak.
5. Video and Photo Editing Tools
How your business presents itself is an important aspect of business branding and image. If ineffective, it can hold you back from further success. Business owners and team managers must find ways to make it easy for teams to create and incorporate high-quality videos and images into their work.
Image editing apps like Pixelcut, Sketch, Figma, and Canva provide you with everything you need to create visually appealing social media posts and high-quality product images. These tools allow you to create and edit photos easily. They also incorporate important features like collaboration with other team members, background removal, easy-to-use templates, and branding tools for saving and incorporating brand colors and elements.
While you can use these tools for some basic video creation, there are also more in-depth video creation and editing tools that you may want to consider.
A study from Explain Ninja notes that 78% of people watch videos online each week, making it a valuable opportunity for businesses. Consider arranging for your team members to use editing tools like InShot, Fimora, CapCut, and Adobe Premier Rush.
6. Financial and Budget-Related Tools
While your team may not be directly responsible for your business financials, there are often aspects of maintaining and working within a budget they will have to consider.
Suppose you or your team are responsible for business financing. In that case, there are also more advanced financial tracking applications like Kubera you could use to help track and manage spending, expenses, accounts payable/receivable, and other factors impacting cash flow. Depending on the features needed, check out tools like Mint, Truebill, Wave, Kubera, and Xero.
7. Tools for Creating an Ideal Workspace
Tracking schedules and organizing information aren’t the only ways you can use business tools. You can offer your team many great options to improve their workspace and overall daily experience. This is a great way to prioritize the happiness and health of your team by reducing stress and showing you care about mental health in the workplace.
To determine the best workspace tools, you must first talk to your team and understand their needs. Everyone works differently, and different workstyles will directly impact their ideal workspace. For example, if your team members struggle with distractions, try offering distraction blockers and white noise generators. Some great tools to help reduce or eliminate distractions include Freedom, Brain.fm, A Soft Murmur, FocusMe, HazeOver, and Focus Booster.
Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Business Tools
The secret to implementing tools effectively with your team is identifying areas that could run more efficiently. If you have business processes and tools that allow easy scheduling across your team, there may be better places to start. Instead, take note of the aspects of your business that could improve. If you’re unsure, speak with your team members and ask for their input on what aspects of their daily work routine are causing more stress and frustration.
While all the tools on this list are valuable options, there are subtle differences to consider. Read through each tool’s different functions and compare this to your available budget to find the right tool for you and your team specifically. Incorporating these tools into your processes may be the boost needed to elevate your business to the next level.
