Image by our-team on Freepik
Running a moving company isn’t just about transferring valuables from one point to another; it’s also about providing customers a seamless, hassle-free experience. Fortunately, technology has made it easier for moving companies to offer the latter.
Technological advancements, like software, have significantly improved the business landscape. But the question is, with countless software readily available, how should moving company owners choose one? What should they consider, so they’ll end up with the best software?
Here are five tips to guide you on your software selection journey:
1. Identify Requirements
All moving companies help customers move but they still have differences. For instance, you focus on local moves while your competitors offer interstate moving services.
Your business operates differently, so start identifying your unique requirements and use them to choose software. For example, if you want to automate all areas of your moving company, consider all-in-one software for moving companies like Supermove. If you’re going to focus on one area of the business, such as accounting, it’s best if you invest in accounting software first.
Once you identify your requirements, it’ll be easier to determine the features you’ll need in the software. As a result, you can narrow down your options fast.
2. Research
The more you know about your options, the easier it’ll be for you to choose. So, take all the time you need to research your options. This means looking for information online, like reviews, competitor comparisons, and customer case studies.
When doing research about specific software, make sure to look for the following information:
- Cost
- Customer service
- Features
- Functionality
- Licensing
- Usability
Shop around and be open to considering several providers. Most importantly, never compromise quality for cost. Many businesses commit the mistake of choosing software because it’s the cheapest. Taking this route will cause problems and cost you more in the long run, especially if the software doesn’t meet the needs of your moving company.
3. Ask For Opinions
The software you choose will affect many people, such as your employees and managers. For this reason, it’s crucial to keep all of them in the loop throughout the selection process.
Consult anyone using it or whose job will get affected once you integrate new software into the business. Inquire if the software you’re eyeing to choose will improve their daily workflows and boost their productivity.
For example, if the software guarantees to help your moving company go paperless, ask your accounting team how this feature can improve their daily processes. Since this team probably handles tons of paperwork every day, their output will determine if the features you love in a software solution are beneficial for your business.
4. Fix the Budget
The right software will take your moving company to the next level, but this doesn’t mean you should spend too much on it. Keep in mind that poor financial management can adversely impact the longevity of your moving company and its ability to succeed.
Before looking into various software, come up with a realistic budget. Determine how much you can spend on the software without compromising other aspects of the business.
Aside from the price of the software, consider the cost of training and the purchase of additional equipment (if necessary). Being financially prepared will prevent any bottlenecks, allowing your moving company to maximize the software as soon as possible.
5. Test it out
How would you feel if the software you paid for and introduced to your moving company didn’t meet your expectations? You’d feel frustrated or even angry, right? Being in this situation can put your resources down the drain and cause downtime to your operations.
Always test out the software before committing to it long-term. Most software today comes with free trials, so take this opportunity to assess if the software matches the needs and expectations of your moving company. Have teams use it for days or weeks and ask for feedback afterward.
Besides its features and ability to work seamlessly across different departments, test out the quality and availability of the software’s customer service, too. This is an important after-sales service that impacts how easily and fast your moving company adapts the software.
Make Smart Decisions
Business owners often find themselves overwhelmed when choosing software. This is an important decision to make as it can make or break the success of your moving company.
Take your time making a decision when it comes to selecting software. Instead, take all the time you need and consider these tips as your guide to make the selection process less stressful.
