The software as a service market should reach $623 billion by 2023. Businesses learned that this model of software delivery makes people more efficient and is cost-effective.
There are so many SaaS solutions on the market, it’s hard to know which software is worth buying and which ones you should pass.
You end up spending too much time and money on software that has little use. Isn’t it time you stopped making the same mistakes with software shopping?
You’re in luck because we’ve got you covered. Read this guide to buying business software and find out what mistakes you need to avoid.
1. You Don’t Know What You Need
Do you buy software on a whim because it seems like a great deal at the time? Think about the things that you need in your business.
What are the areas that can use automation and more efficiency? Are there repetitive tasks that can be done with business software?
Make a list of things you’d like business software to do for your business.
2. Lack of Future Planning
Business owners focus on the first step, but they don’t think about how their needs might change in the future.
You’re about to invest a lot of money in business software. It should grow and adapt as your business grows and evolves.
That saves you time and money because you don’t have to migrate to new software suites often.
3. No Implementation Plan
Buying software for yourself is a little different than buying for an entire team. You’ll need to think about training, onboarding, and implementation.
Large-scale projects should get support from software providers.
If you’re looking at ERP software, find out from ERP providers the level of migration support you should expect.
For businesses with employees, be sure to communicate with your team about upcoming software changes. Get their input for better buy-in and adaptation rates.
4. Don’t Test Software Before Buying
Research different providers and read reviews to narrow down your options. Software providers often have a free trial or demo of their software.
Try the software to make sure it meets your needs. Test aspects of the user interface and make sure it meets your requirements and expectations.
5. Too Much Focus On Bells and Whistles
There are software solutions that have dozens of great features. While a long list of features looks great on paper, they could do very little for your business.
Look at each feature of the software, think about how your business can use it, and ultimately benefit from it.
If you don’t take this step, you’ll end up paying for a lot of features that you don’t need.
Stop Making Mistakes With Software Shopping
It’s really easy to make mistakes with software shopping. This guide to buying business software showed you the most common mistakes.
Know your needs now and in the future. Don’t get overwhelmed by business software features. Have a plan to implement the software and train your staff.
You’re on your way to a more efficient business. Check out the home page of this site for more business tips.