Posted April 10, 2013

If you’re like me, the more programs and mobile apps claim to help keep your small business productive, the harder it is to find the time to sift through the clutter and determine which are worth a closer look. So I’ve done the research for you; here are my top five ranked organizational apps for the entrepreneur on the go.

1. The latest newcomer to the organizational apps lineup is Google Keep, which integrates note taking and web surfing. Just released last month, the new Google Keep has set its sights on overtaking the big name in organizational apps—Evernote. Google Keep makes it easy for iPhone users to get started— sync your notes with Siri, and have a ready-to-use note function right away. Currently, Keep users can sync their notes to Google Drive; color-code them for easy retrieval, construct to-do lists, compile photos, and archive notes for later viewing. Keep’s shiny new status has it lacking a lot of key features, but there’s no doubt Google will be fleshing out this program in the months to come.

2. Another great tool for keeping your office workflow running smoothly is Jumpchart.  In the process of redesigning your website? Say goodbye to back-to-back content meetings and old-fashioned wire frames. The program offers users ways to plan their website layout, view the most recent content revisions, move wire frames around before the site goes live, and much more—all in real time.  You can access limited Jumpchart services for free, but their more advanced accounts cost up to $50. One of the benefits to being a paid user is that you can access Jumpchart’s WordPress exporting options and SSL security, making site maintenance and security easier than ever.

3. Does time tracking across various client accounts have you frustrated? Accounts and billing backlogged? Harvest just may be the answer to your organizational prayers. This time tracking program can help your business figure out where your team is spending their hours, based on time spent on each individual task. Harvest also lets you create real-time reports to help track billable hours, and export them into QuickBooks. Another cool Harvest feature—you can create seamless invoices, complete with your company’s logo and offer clients the options to pay their bills online, making Accounts receivable a breeze.

4. Having trouble finding time to update your company’s Twitter account, Facebook and WordPress, with your workload? Enter Hootsuite.  This is the leading social media dashboard to help companies manage and measure their social networks. Use this app to pre-schedule updates to your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Foursquare, MySpace, WordPress and Mixi accounts. Hootsuite also enables you to track your brand mentions and analyze your social media traffic. With big brands like McDonald’s, PepsiCo and Sony using Hootsuite, it’s a safe bet that it will work wonders for your small business’s social media organization needs.

5. Miss that dry cleaning pickup (again)? Forgot your iPhone charger? Need a restaurant suggestion for a client lunch? Then WunWun on-demand personal concierge service may be just what you need! Use the WunWun iPhone app to make a request for a service, a product delivered, or a suggestion. After your request is received, a designated helper is assigned to see it through. The best part—WunWun is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For the price you can’t beat this personal concierge service, which is just $2.50 for every 5 minutes of service or a $20 flat fee for deliveries. Say goodbye to the days of trying to make time to get to that to-do list and say hello to WunWun.

What apps do you use to help your small business stay organized?  Share your top suggestions in the comments below!