Whether you’re looking for accounting software or project management software, choosing the right programme can often be a mission. There are so many different types of business software out there on the market. Ideally you want to find one within your budget with the right amount of complexity for your needs. Here are just a few ways in which you can help to find the perfect piece of software for your company.

 

Read online reviews

 

Promotional descriptions are always one-sided – by reading reviews you can get a true idea of a programme’s strengths and flaws. Professional reviews can offer detailed insight, whilst user reviews can give a more practical analysis. You may even be able to find reviews on Youtube of certain programmes which may offer an visual walkthrough giving you a clear idea of how the software looks on the screen.

 

Download free trials

 

Many software developers offer free trials. These allow you to download the programme for free for a few days allowing you to test out all its features and decide whether it’s right for you. Some free trials may lock certain features, so you may not always get an idea of the whole package, however you’ll usually have access to the programme’s core features and it will give you a good idea of how user-friendly it is.

 

Attend software demos

 

Software demos are sales conferences hosted by software companies. During these conferences, you’ll usually get a tutorial on how to use the programme. These events are often very promotional – the whole intention is to make you buy the software – however they do give you the chance to ask questions to an expert at the company and answer any queries you may have. You may even get access to exclusive discounts by visiting these events.

 

Get help from a business IT advisor

 

It could be worth hiring a professional business IT advisor to help you choose the right software. Many of these advisors will be able to tell you which programmes benefit your company the best and they may able to offer other advice tips as to how to improve your company’s IT infrastructure. Be careful of IT consultants that may affiliate schemes set up – these companies may get commission for recommending a certain programme, making their advice largely biased.

 

Build your own software

 

If you can’t find a piece of software with your ideal features, you could always consider building your own software. Find a company developing AI that can create a custom programme to meet your needs. This could be more expensive than buying an existing programme, but the fact that it’s built to your exact needs could make this all worthwhile.

 

Get your employees involved

 

If your employees are going to be using this software, consider getting them involved in the decision-making process. They may be able to put in input as to features they’d find useful. You could invite a senior staff member along with you to a software demo or get your staff to try out free trials for themselves, helping you to get a second opinion.