Well, if you are a home-based entrepreneur – we can say it can be difficult to stay focused and productive when your workplace is also – your sanctuary. There is beauty in being able to work from anywhere, but there are also some disadvantages associated with it.
Good thing is, we are all sharing the same problems in today’s digital age but we can also share the solutions for them. You may improve both your own and your employee’s experience when you are receptive to new ideas and eager to try out new management techniques and tools.
There are several tools designed to improve process efficiency and increase productivity, and with so many options, from project collaboration software to time management tools, you can only expect successful progress.
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The future of work is work from home
We can say there are plenty of advantages when you are running a business from home. For example, you can designate a specific work area in your home and set office hours in order to improve your work-life at home. For many people, working from home is the perfect solution since it allows for a more flexible schedule or eliminates commute time – and it’s definitely more comfortable than a traditional office setting.
But, when you’re new in the area of remote work, it can be easy to get distracted by outside obligations or even your cosy surroundings. This is where having the right online tools can make all the difference. While working from home or as a digital nomad, there are many useful tools out there, such as Basecamp and Google Suite, that may help you be as productive and successful as possible.
Benefits of online tools for home-based entrepreneurs
One of the key benefits is that online tools can help you manage your time more efficiently. Let’s say, you can use a tool like RescueTime or HubStuff to track how much time you’re spending on specific tasks and websites. This information can be invaluable in helping you to identify and eliminate time wasters.
Another benefit of using productivity tools is that they can help you stay organized. No matter if you don’t have any ideas about how certain tools work or if you are wondering about the complexity of it, you can be sure it will be helpful for your business. For instance, if you’re working on a project with multiple deadlines and want to create invoices or any of the business templates faster, you can use form templates by Smallpdf to stay on track. This can help in ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks and that you’re ahead of the game. Also, tools you can use can also help you to improve your communication with collaborators and clients.
Or, if you want to share large files or communicate with someone in real-time, you can do so by using tools like Dropbox or Google Hangouts. This can save you a lot of time and hassle compared to trying to do everything via email or phone calls.
No matter if you operate from home, i.e. remotely, there are a lot of IT support services offered.
Chat and messaging services
Since you work from home, chances are you’re using some form of messaging or chat service to communicate with clients, colleagues, and others – pretty much great. And that’s a good thing! These types of services can be a great way to boost your productivity by making it easy to stay in touch with people without having to pick up the phone or leave your home office.
There are countless chat and messaging options available, but these are a few of the well-known favorites:
- Slack – it’s a popular chat service that allows you to easily create a lot of different channels for various projects or teams. The great thing about Slack, it also has a ton of integrations with other productivity tools, making it even more powerful.
- WhatsApp – it’s a cross-platform messaging service that provides end-to-end encryption for added security. It’s especially popular internationally, so if you have colleagues or clients overseas, it’s worth considering.
- Facebook Messenger – while it’s not as feature-rich as some of the other options, Facebook Messenger is still a solid choice for chat and messaging. Plus, the good thing about it is that almost everyone already has a Facebook account, and it’s super easy to get started with.
- Microsoft Teams – is a messaging app for your business, it’s a place where you can collaborate and communicate in real-time, have meetings, share files, and more. It’s centralized, visible, and open to all – efficient and practical when you are working from home.
Virtual meeting spaces
As a home-based entrepreneur, one of the most important tools you can have in your productivity arsenal is a virtual meeting space. There are a number of different options available, each with its own set of features and benefits. The most popular choices include Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts.
What about project management?
In order to be a successful home-based entrepreneur, it’s essential to have an organization and management system in place to help keep track of progress, deadlines, and the next steps of projects. This is where project management software comes in handy. Before choosing one, and there’s plenty of it on the market, it’s important to do your research and find the one that will work best for your business needs. The most popular choices include Trello, Basecamp, Asana, and Monday.com. Be sure to read reviews and compare pricing plans before making a purchase.
Time and task-tracking platforms
There are several fantastic time and task monitoring tools online, each with its own special features and advantages. Four of the greatest solutions are listed below, if you want to increase your productivity:
- RescueTime – this tool records your internet activity automatically and generates data so you can identify where you spend the most time. It also provides features like goal-setting and internet blocking – to help you stay on task.
- Clockify – this free time tracking tool is straightforward to use and quick, to begin with. It’s ideal for individuals who just need a simple tool for tracking their time because it offers a clean layout and basic functionality like start/stop timers.
- Toggl – is an easy-to-use time-monitoring tool that lets you start and stop timers for various jobs throughout the day. Finding out how long tasks are actually taking you to complete, can be very helpful.
File sharing platforms
For home-based entrepreneurs, there are many excellent file-sharing systems that can increase productivity. A well-liked choice is Dropbox, which provides 2GB of free storage space and enables users to create shared folders and share files with others. Another great option is Google Drive, which gives users 15GB of free storage space – as well as the opportunity to exchange files and work together on projects in real time.
Google Drive is a practical choice if you use other Google services because it connects with other products like Gmail and Docs. Also, iCloud is a good choice if you utilize Apple products since it offers 5GB of free storage and integrates with other Apple products such as iTunes and iWork.
Payment processing platforms
Having the appropriate tools in place can help you manage your business at home as successfully as possible. A platform for processing payments is one essential item you’ll require.
Of course, there are several alternatives to platforms for payments. One favored choice is PayPal. You may quickly make and receive payments from customers or clients using PayPal. It also provides a wide range of capabilities, such as the capacity to set up recurring payments, which might be useful if you have customers that pay you on a regular basis.
Stripe is an additional platform, and it enables you to send and receive payments online – Stripe is comparable to Paypal in that way. It also has the ability to generate invoices and accept credit card payments directly on your website without the need to set up a separate merchant account. Regardless of the payment processing platform you select in the end, make sure it will be simple for you to use and has the capabilities your business requires.
Support your business with the maximum impact
It’s easier to chase your dreams and fulfill your goals if you get all the help you acquire. Home-based entrepreneurs need all the help they can get, and fortunately, there are a ton of online resources that have been created to assist them. These online tools make it simpler for everyone who works from home since it’s proven to keep them organized and enhance their productivity. These digital tools also aid business owners in better time management, cost reduction, and process streamlining. It’s a good thing that many of the tools mentioned above can be utilized in tandem for maximum impact and increased workflow efficiency. After all, there is only one thing left to say – start using them right away to get one step closer to success!
Biography:
Miljana Kanakaras is a writer at her core, but she is also a photographer, painter, and SEO Specialist. She frequently creates SaaS or B2B articles with the help of her cat Beko, who she considers to be her best buddy. In her free time, she binges on television shows and films. She is also the biggest fan of Game of Thrones and orange cats.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miljanakankara%C5%A1/
