Before You Purchase Software for Your Business, Consider These Do's and Don'ts

Choosing the right software for your business can be downright daunting but being cautious and putting in the effort on the front end will pay dividends in the long run.

startupstockphotos.com

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As an entrepreneur, you have the lofty responsibility of purchasing the right business software for your company. To the untrained eye, this may seem like an unpleasant task. But for you, the savvy business owner, it's an exciting opportunity to explore the abundance of feature-rich products available to you. Choosing the right software is critical to your company's operation and overall success, so it's worth every bit of time and energy you devote to it.

Evaluate your needs, do your research and follow these simple do's and don'ts to find the ideal product for your company.

Related: A Well-Trained IT Team: Your Company's Secret Weapon (Infographic)

1. Don't design your own software.

Designing your own software may seem like the best choice, as it allows you to customize it exactly as you want. But off-the-shelf products are actually an excellent option for almost all small businesses. It may be tempting to build your own solutions, especially if you find an affordable individual or team to do it. But is it really necessary? You may very well get every feature you need for an existing product that will only cost you $100 to 200 a month.

Also, customized software solutions may not be as secure. Products on the market stand by their security, whereas an in-house program doesn't have to stand up to the same rigorous standards.

2. Do become experts of whatever software you choose.

Don't rely only on outside consultants to fully service and manage your software. If you do, you forfeit the ability to gain a deep understanding of how the software functions, its limitations and capabilities. Buy tools that are sophisticated enough to allow you to heavily customize but user-friendly enough so you can manage them yourself.

Related: Need a Software Engineer? Here's How Much You Can Expect to Pay. (Infographic)

3. Do be clear about your needs before purchasing.

While the latest-and-greatest software may sound uber-appealing, what's most important is your own workflow and how you'll use it every day. Bells and whistles may be great for some companies, but make sure it works for your company. Purchasing a system that is more robust than you need may leave you cross-eyed in front of the computer each day trying to weed through a sea of features you'll never need. It's far more productive to determine all your needs first, then find the product that can meet them.

4. Don't neglect the greatest resource: your own team.

Have one person on your team own each software -- even if multiple departments are using it. When you have one go-to person who understands the ins and outs of the product, everyone benefits. Not only can that person provide technical assistance and troubleshooting, but they can recognize opportunities to use it even more effectively. While a tech department can help with system issues, having a dedicated team member allows you to really explore the product and find new ways to contribute to your company's success.

5. Don't be fooled by integration 'jargon.'

Integrating your systems together so they work seamlessly is critical to your company's operations. Your software needs to share data and information between systems, so you can use the data most effectively.

For example, you may need to see your sales data alongside your email campaign data. If these systems can't "talk" to each other, your ability to gain valuable insight on your company's operations is compromised. Make sure the systems you use have open and accessible APIs -- and really research the functionality. Integrations aren't all the same: some software products pay lip-service to integration while others provide true value.

Choosing the right software for your business can be downright daunting but being cautious and putting in the effort on the front end will pay dividends (and profits) in the long run.

Related: With Open-Source Software, You Don't Have to Start From Scratch

David and Carrie McKeegan

Co-Founders of Greenback Expat Tax Services

David and Carrie McKeegan are co-founders of Greenback Expat Tax Services, a global, virtual business which prepares U.S. federal tax returns for American expats living all over the world. 

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

Business News

I Live on a Cruise Ship for Half of the Year. Look Inside My 336-Square-Foot Cabin with Wraparound Balcony.

I live on a cruise ship with my husband, who works on it, for six months out of the year. Life at "home" can be tight. Here's what it's really like living on a cruise ship.

Business News

American Airlines Sued After Teen Dies of Heart Attack Onboard Flight to Miami

Kevin Greenridge was traveling from Honduras to Miami on June 4, 2022, on AA Flight 614 when he went into cardiac arrest and became unconscious mid-flight.

Starting a Business

Free Event | March 30: Solopreneur Office Hours with Terry Rice

Running a one person business is challenging, but we're here to help you. Tune in as our expert, Terry Rice, answers your most pressing questions.

Health & Wellness

5 Essential Steps to Expand Your Vision and Start Living Your Dream Life

It's time to break free from your comfort zone and expand your vision. When you refuse to settle for a mediocre life, you can start building a life you love.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas To Start Right Now

To start one of these home-based businesses, you don't need a lot of funding -- just energy, passion and the drive to succeed.