W. Patric Gregory, a Glastonbury business owner, on business apps

There is now a wide variety of small business apps on the market, and with thousands to choose from, how do you know which ones will work best for your business?

Relax. This list will take the guesswork out of choosing and allow you to spend more time on what you do best – growing your company. Of all the apps in the marketplace, these are some of the best.

Google Drive
Google is synonymous with technology, so it’s no surprise that Google Drive is the first must-have for small business owners. It gives you access to your files from any device with one simple sign-in. You might say it’s essential for those days when your laptop suddenly acts up or goes down, or you drop your smartphone in a puddle.

TripIt
When Forbes lists an app as one of “10 Brilliant Apps Small Businesses Should Use,” you might want to take note. TripIt is ideal for businesspeople who regularly travel for work. It keeps travel itineraries in one place, so you can make your flights on time and end up at the right hotel. And its built-in weather and map are just the things for travelers who’d rather not have a separate app for each.

Wave
If your business has fewer than ten people and you may not be able to afford bookkeeping software like QuickBooks, Wave is a great free alternative. It offers a number of terrific features, like tracking expenses, paying employees, and scanning receipts. And you can use it on your computer as well as through the app.

Skype
Nerd Wallet has listed some fantastic communication apps, but none more popular or cost-effective than Skype. With Skype for Business, you pay $5 per month and can host any just about any meeting you can imagine. It’s particularly effective if you have multiple offices or employees who are often on the go. With Skype, everyone can stay in the loop.

RescueTime
Have some bad-time management habits you can’t seem to shake? RescueTime will monitor your digital activity and give you daily reports on how you spend your time. The standard version is free, but if you’re addicted to social media, consider the Premium version. It offers website blocking and other features for only $6 a month (when purchased for the year).

Todoist
Todoist is an underrated app that helps manage team projects efficiently. You can use Todoist to assign tasks to each team member and view statistics on their progress. As a cheap, reliable option for managing tasks, the Todoist free version may be perfectly sufficient. Or check out the premium version, which is only $28.99 per year per user.

New entrepreneurs can benefit from incorporating technology into their work, and apps are often the most affordable way to do so. If you’re stuck in an online or mobile system that doesn’t seem to work, try installing an app, and see just how much your workflows, and your workplace, will improve!

About the Author

W. Patric Gregory is an experienced business professional from Glastonbury, Connecticut. Patric currently serves as the owner and CEO of Highway Safety Corp, a company that has contributed to the highway construction industry for over 40 years. As leader of the company's senior management team, Patric is a seasoned strategist and innovator in his field.

To learn more about W. Patric Gregory, click here.