Business StrategyStrategy & Operations

5 Steps To Determine What Software Will Help You Achieve Your Goals for Next Year

Josh Clark - Guest Contributor profile picture
By Josh Clark - Guest Contributor

Published
5 min read
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Are you looking for software to help your business achieve its goals next year? How do you find the software that is right for you?

When it comes to business, there's always room for improvement. With the rise of technology, there are more opportunities than ever to streamline your business’s processes and increase your efficiency with the help of software.

But with so many options on the market, how can you determine which software will help you achieve your specific goals? This article will walk you through five steps to help you choose the right software for your business.

1. Determine your specific goals for next year

Depending on the size and type of your business, your goals for next year will vary. If you're a small business, you may be looking to increase efficiency and productivity. On the other hand, if you're a larger company, you may be aiming to reduce costs or increase sales. Your goals will determine what type of software you need to implement.

To determine your goals for next year, start by looking at your business's strengths and weaknesses. Set up meetings with department heads and key employees to get their input on areas that need improvement. Once you've identified your goals, you can start looking for software to help you achieve them.

2. Do your research and read reviews

Now that you know what type of software you need, it's time to start doing your research. Use unbiased platforms like Capterra to read online reviews, and compare different software options side-by-side. Factors to consider include:

  • Features: Does the software have all of the features you need? Are there any unnecessary features that will add to the cost?

  • Pricing: Is the software within your budget? Does the vendor offer a free trial or money-back guarantee?

  • Customer support: What type of customer support does the company offer? Is customer service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

  • Training: Does the company offer training resources to help you get started? Are there webinars, tutorials, or user guides available?

3. Narrow down your choices

After doing your research, you should have a good idea of which software programs will work best for your business. From there, you can start to narrow down your choices through multiple methods, including:

  • Asking for recommendations: Talk to other businesses in your industry and see what software they're using. If they're happy with the results, you might be too.

  • Checking out case studies: Many companies will have case studies on their website that showcase how their software has helped other businesses achieve success. This is a great way to get an idea of what the software is capable of.

  • Asking your employees: If you're not sure which software to choose, ask your employees for their input. They'll be using the software daily, so they'll have a good idea of what's important to them.

4. Get a demo

Once you've narrowed down your choices to a few programs, it's time to get a closer look at each one. The best way to do this is by getting a demo of the software from the company's sales team. This will allow you to see how the program works and decide if it's right for you. When testing out the software, be mindful to:

  • Test all of the features: Make sure that the software has all the features you need. If it's missing something important to you, it's not worth your time or money.

  • Consider ease of use: Can you easily navigate through the software? Is it user-friendly? Remember, you don't want to spend a lot of time training your employees on how to use the software.

  • Stress test it: Put the software through its paces, and see how it holds up. Can it handle a high volume of users? Does it crash often?

5. Calculate the ROI of the software

This will help you determine whether or not the program is worth investing in for your business. The process of calculating the return on investment (ROI) can be different for each software program, but there are some general steps you can follow:

  • Determine the cost of the software: This includes the initial purchase price and any recurring costs, such as monthly subscription or annual maintenance fees.

  • Calculate the savings: Next, you'll need to calculate how much money the software will save you. For example, if it's a time tracking program, you'll need to estimate how much time it will save your employees to track their time digitally. If it's an ERP system, you'll need to calculate how much it will reduce your operational costs.

  • Estimate the revenue increase: Finally, you'll need to estimate how much additional revenue the software will generate for your business. For example, if it's a CRM system, you'll need to estimate how much it will increase your sales.

Once you've calculated the ROI of the software, you can compare it to other programs and decide which one is right for your business.

Need help finding the right software?

Choosing the right software for your business can be a daunting task. However, by following these five steps, you can make the process easier. By equipping your business with the right tools, you can boost your productivity, improve your bottom line, and achieve your goals for next year. If you are unsure where to find the best software programs for your business, check out Capterra's directory of over 35,000 software programs and millions of user reviews. With that many options, you're sure to find the perfect fit for your business. Visit us at capterra.com.


Looking for Training software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Training software solutions.

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About the Author

Josh Clark - Guest Contributor profile picture

Josh is a writer based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He has experience as a grant writer for renewable energy companies, writing nearly $12 million worth of grants for multiple organizations over two years. He is also experienced in copywriting and SEO. Josh has had the privilege to work with businesses across various sectors, including medical, athletic, clothing brands, technology companies, software developers, and more.

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