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16 Jun 2011 By ABradney-George

Small Business Software Support

16 Jun

Struggling to manage small business planning and finances? Here we look at the support available with small business software.

Starting a small business takes a lot of planning and management, which means even more work if you are an entrepreneur working with little or no staff. Fortunately, there are support resources available in the form of software.

Whether it is business planning or financial management, software can be a great help for small businesses. As well as often being more affordable that traditional staffing options, you get the added benefit of learning as you go, so that if you launch other businesses you have more knowledge behind you.

Business Planning Software

Business planning and marketing software can launch your business successfull, and take it to the next level. From accountants and bankers to consultants and investors, this software is a great way to organize your business. Software options like JIAN Biz Plan Builder and Palo Alto's popular Business Plan Pro will include are:

Business plan templates
Forecasting tools
Data analysis tools
Financial models
Market research resources; and
Easy collaboration options

Because business plans will cover both strategic and financial goals, this software may be the only thing you need to establish, maintain and improve your small business. Some programs will even include marketing features to help promote your business, so comparing a few business plan programs will make sure you get all the features you need for a wise investment.

Small Business Financial Management

Doing your business taxes for the first time? Many tax software publishers offer professional options, like Quicken Home and Business or TurboTax Business to help you submit taxes and track expenses over the financial year.

For small businesses who want to stay on top of finances without hiring an accountant, there are also accounting software options that can help small businesses get ahead. Established suites like Sage Peachtree and QuickBooks Pro will help make the core accounting much easier to manage as well as offering support for things like job costing, time and billing, and error tracking for more accurate accounting.

There are also a number of online options, like QuickBooks Online Plus and Intuit's new website Mint.com, which has replaced the Quicken accounting range. These online services can be a convenient, affordable way to manage small business accounting for new and established entrepreneurs.

When it comes to choosing software for your small business, remember that these kind of investments tend to pay off in the long run. A strong business plan can make or break a venture, while accurate accounting is essential for tracking costs and revenue. That's why looking at these options, and others, will help make your business the best it can be.