Can you run a business via a smartphone?
In the right industry and with proper planning, running a business from your smartphone is absolutely possible. Most people already own a smartphone, and using it for business could save you the expense of a laptop purchase. For many, working from a cell phone may be preferable to running a business from a computer. Going mobile gives on-the-go business owners the opportunity to stay connected anywhere. Plus, depending on your line of work, anything you can do on a laptop, you can probably do on a smartphone.
With all of the apps geared toward remote work, a mobile-first business may even be more convenient. Emerging smartphone apps are supporting the notion that, from a hardware standpoint at least, small business owners can run their companies with a mobile device and a host of helpful apps.
If you ask a tech-savvy business owner whether they can run their business from their mobile phone, they’ll likely tell you yes. Expect that chorus to grow louder as more advanced business-friendly mobile apps hit the marketplace.
“Yes, absolutely, you can do so,” said Sinan Eren, enterprise mobility expert and vice president of Barracuda. “Actually, you can especially run a small/midsize business with mobile apps much more effectively over legacy desktop software. … Contract drafting, payment processing, all the way to e-signature apps are the mainstay of scaling an SMB business.”
How do you run a business from a mobile device?
Even though it’s possible to run a business from your smartphone, it does require some planning and logistical considerations.
First, you should establish whether your business tasks can be done completely on a mobile device. For example, a business that provides marketing services may have an easy time performing job functions on a mobile phone, whereas a graphic designer would probably need special programs or tools, or even just a bigger screen.
If you decide you can complete your work on a mobile phone, you’ll need the right apps to get the job done. Do some research to find apps that will help organize your business’s goals and priorities. There are great CRM software resources available for mobile devices; these apps can provide you with helpful features, like sales tracking, lead management and campaign building.
Get used to working with a smaller keyboard, too. Try using apps such as Slack or Zoom, which have video calling options, so you can avoid errors when typing and have more efficient conversations.
Most importantly, don’t forget to back everything up. Save a backup of all your important files, data and conversations. Using cloud storage could be a great option for mobile-first businesses.
Yuval Scarlat, former chief executive of California-based computer software firm Capriza, said small business owners can easily run their businesses from their mobile devices, and growing businesses are actually the ideal candidates to go mobile-only. However, for a small business owner or an entire business looking to transition to a mobile-only approach, a mindset shift is required, Scarlat added.
“For generations, corporate information was built by the business to serve the back-end office, but [businesses] missed out on providing an easy-to-use experience for a regular user,” he said. “In our personal lives, we expect a user-centric experience on our mobile devices and mobile apps, and this same expectation is now being carried into the workforce. We’re in the midst of a mobile revolution – one that could very well make everyone mobile-only in the next few years.”
1. Communication and Collaboration
- Email Management: Use a reliable email app to stay on top of your inbox. Organize emails, respond promptly, and set up filters to prioritize important messages.
- Instant Messaging: Utilize messaging apps like Slack or Microsoft Teams for quick communication and collaboration with your team or clients.
- Explore project management apps like Trello, Asana, or Todoist to organize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with team members.
3. Document Management:Cloud Storage
- Store and access documents on the go with cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive. This ensures that you can retrieve important files from any location.
- Document Editing: Use mobile versions of productivity suites like Microsoft Office or Google Workspace to edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations directly from your smartphone.
- Manage your business finances using mobile banking apps. Monitor transactions, pay bills, and receive notifications about account activity.
- Accounting Apps: Consider using accounting apps such as QuickBooks or FreshBooks to track expenses, create invoices, and manage your financial records
- Stay active on social media platforms by using apps like Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule posts, track engagement, and manage multiple accounts from one place.
- Use CRM apps like HubSpot, Salesforce, or Zoho CRM to manage customer relationships, track leads, and stay organized with client interactions.
- Implement email marketing campaigns using mobile-friendly tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact to reach your audience directly from your smartphone.
- Social Media Marketing: Create and schedule social media content on the go with apps like Canva, Adobe Spark, or Buffer.
- If you run an e-commerce business, ensure your website is mobile-friendly, and consider using mobile apps for platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce to manage orders and inventory.
- Conduct virtual meetings and conferences using video conferencing apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet.
- Install security apps to protect your smartphone from malware and unauthorized access. Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
- Use apps like LinkedIn to connect with other professionals, join relevant groups, and stay updated on industry news.
- Monitor website and social media analytics using mobile apps such as Google Analytics or social media platform insights to make informed business decisions.
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