Time tracking software is becoming a necessity in the large number of small businesses. And we can see why.
The software allows owners, managers and their employees to become more efficient. People are learning how they’re spending their time, so that they can change bad habits, cut meetings, and organize their workload.
This can be done without the software, but with it, you’ll have all the data, and it’s much harder to ignore facts than sayings like “I need to improve my time management.”
If you’ve decided to purchase a time tracking software, good for you! But choosing the best one is a bit though, so we’ve created a quick guide on how to choose the best employee time clock for small business.
Pricing
The fact is that small businesses don’t have a ton of money to spend on various software, so this should be one of your first considerations. Good news is that manufacturers are aware of this, so the software isn’t going to drain you dry.
Usually, the software is cheaper the more employees you have, but you don’t lose anything if you ask for a discount. Additionally, yearly subscriptions are always cheaper, so we definitely recommend looking into those as well.
You should also know that there are free time tracking software for small business, but they are quite limited when it comes to features, as well as number of employees and projects you can track. Paid options will definitely give you a piece of mind, and more advanced features.
Features
When you start researching time tracking tools for small businesses you’ll come across many features… that you probably don’t need. The more advanced those features are, the software will cost you more. So the question is, do you really need to have all those features?
The answer is probably no. Which is why you should sit down, research the features, and write up a list of those that you REALLY need.
For example, you might need time and attendance, but you don’t need payroll calculator, and so on. Not only this will help you select the proper software, it will also help you cut down the cost, as some software options have a couple of pricing plans which don’t include all features.
Ease of Use
The best time clock apps for small businesses are simple to install (usually through active directory or by quickly downloading the app to the computer).
Besides installation, ease of use is a must. Nobody has the time to sit down for 8 hours in order to learn how the software works. Maybe the manufacturer even has a help/community center, or a bunch of video tutorials you can learn from. Keep an eye out for such resources. In some cases you might not even need to call support for help.
Wrap Up
Initially, selecting a software for your small business can seem daunting. There are so many features and options to choose from, you can easily become overwhelmed with what is the best employee time clock for small business Which is why we recommend that you don’t fight this fight alone.
Include your whole team, let them research and test different options. After all, they’ll be using the software, so they should have a say in it. Additionally, they might be using some features you won’t, thus, you’ll cover more ground if you all take part.