Cheap Software For Small Businesses and Startups

These days, every small business is trying to stretch their dollars as far as they can.

If you already have a small business, the credit crisis is squeezing you. If you are trying to start a new business, as so many of us are, the dry-up of funding sources is squeezing you.

Because of these factors, anything that gives businesses the ability to make do with less while still achieving their goals is highly valued.

And there is no greater value than small business software online.

I'm talking about the software that every small business needs to operate:

* Accounting and Payroll
* Billing and Invoicing
* Project Management
* Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
* Human Resources and Recruiting
* Public Relations
* And so much more....

When you run your business using software online, you do not need to have:

1. Physical software servers to host the complex applications you need to run your business;
2. Physical file servers to store and share the large amount of data your business produces;
3. Extra electrical bills to run those servers;
4. A method to connect to your company network through a firewall (or to even have either a company network or firewall) with a virtual private network (VPN) connection;
5. Software installed on your computer besides a browser, a light e-mail client for sending and receiving e-mail and a virus protection/personal firewall solution such as McAfee or Norton; and
6. Time set aside to upgrade or patch your software as the operator of the online application will do that for you as part of their regular product improvement process.

Not having to spend in any of these areas can save your business a tremendous amount of money and time!

Need an example?

I have installed many types of software at companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100s and let me tell you: they cost at least $25,000 and usually cost over $100,000 just for the software.

Often, my clients just wanted one feature of the software, but had to buy the whole package to get that feature.

My clients also had to pay for hardware and my consulting company's time to set everything up and maintain it over the long term, adding considerable cost to the software purchase.

I can now find similar small business software solutions online for $19.95/month and they do exactly what my clients needs them to do.

In addition, the vendor maintains the hardware and the software at their expense because that is their cost of doing business!

Sure, I'm charged a fee, but when I compare that to the time and money of offline software, there is just no comparison.

So head on over to Google or your other favorite search engines and search for business function online (e.g. project management online). You'll be amazed at the great tools you'll find and you'll be gratified with the savings you will realize without having to sacrifice a thing.

Matt Mansfield is a "small business software online" evangelist who is passionate about teaching small business and startup owners about "The Online Software Advantage".

Matt recently completed his eBook, "Leverage The Web" which details the why, what, where and how of saving time and money by leveraging small business software online.

To learn more about how leveraging small business software online provides a unique competitive advantage, no matter what your business does, visit http://www.leverage-the-web.com/ltw-ebook.html

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Cheap Software For Small Businesses and Startups