Mobile Apps to Help You Run Your Service Business More Efficiently

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Running a service business in a way that makes customers want to call you time and time again when they need repairs or new units is vital to a growing and thriving company. However, there are also many challenges that can make running a service business tough, such as last minute emergency calls, jobs that take longer than expected and staying organized through it all. Fortunately, there are some simple mobile apps that can help you get organized, provide even better customer service and stay ahead of your competition.

Cloud Collaboration on the Fly
You may have already discovered cloud collaboration via sites like Dropbox and Google Drive, but were you aware that these sites also offer apps you can use to collaborate on the go? Different members of the team can upload documents and check off tasks as they are completed.

J.R. Davis of Davis Heating and Cooling has just recently begun using Dropbox to help organize his team and keep customers happy by serving them more efficiently and on a more personal level. “Say one of my teams does a standard maintenance call and notices a small problem in the cooling unit that maybe doesn’t need fixed now but at the next maintenance call might. My guys can leave a quick note on Dropbox and the secretary then files it in the database on this end.”

Other ways you can use Dropbox:

• A neighbor approaches the technician and asks for information about the company. The tech can get the neighbor’s contact info and upload it via Dropbox so the company can follow up.
• A team finishes a job early and wants to let the office know so another job can be slotted in if time allows.
• A client is not home and a service call can’t be completed.

Expense Report Tracking
Whether you allow your workers to buy items they need while on the road or you simply want to track your own expenses for the business, keeping track of receipts as you rack them up can pay off big when tax time rolls around.

Expensify is an app that will allow you to add receipts in a cloud-based environment. It will also hook into QuickBooks. You can upload pictures of receipts and file reports while on the road. This saves an additional step when you get back to the office and keeps you organized.

Appointment Scheduling
There are a couple of different apps that will allow you to do scheduling on the fly. This can also help with clients who might not have an appointment and are looking for the next available time. Most of these apps are between $10 and $20, but the customer satisfaction and punctuality you’ll gain may be worth the cost. You might want to check out: Setster or Genbook.

LocalVox
Business owners will appreciate LocalVox as an app that can help them with social media promotion on the fly. Since small business owners are limited on how much time they have to work on promotions, this app easily lets you add promotions, coupons and news with a simple click or two. Pricing varies, but is affordable enough for even the smallest business to try. Start with single location pricing and then expand as your business grows. The advertising is targeted to local people, so is perfect for HVAC companies and includes things such as email marketing, local directories, coupons, distribution of mobile deals and even social reputation management.

Mileage Tracker
Another area that is easy to overlook in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of service calls is the mileage put on company vehicles. However, this mileage can be deducted on taxes and is also a vital thing to track to maintain profit margins. A mileage tracker app makes it easier to record business mileage at each stop. TripLog for Android will auto start tracking when connected to Bluetooth or Power devices, which can make it sync up to the vehicle the employee is driving. The reports are also IRS compliant.

If your employees use an iPhone, then you may want to look into Mileage Log+, which offers customizable categories and will sync with Dropbox via cloud.

The Best Apps Make Your Job Easier
The best apps for your business are the ones that make your job easier and give you more time to invest in your employees and keep in touch with your customers. The only way your business will grow is through satisfied customers telling others about your services or providing positive reviews. The apps listed above will make it easier for you to do the things you need to do to make that happen.

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Posted In: ACCA Now, Technology