Software is a big help, if you choose right
Dustin Elliott
Products and Customer Insights Analyst, Buildxact
With more than 10 years experience in software as a service, and many of that in helping small business owners like you, I’ve seen firsthand how making the leap from old habits to new software challenges us to think and act differently.
Not to mention that making a wrong choice can end up costing you 5-10x more than the annual subscription of the wrong software package. You have to factor in wasted time and a whole host of other factors. So where do we begin?
Step 1: Determine your needs
- What is keeping you up at night?
- What is that thing you have been meaning to do but haven’t had a chance yet
- What is the bottleneck in terms of your business or personal life?
- What part of your process makes you the most anxious to do?
Then write them out as to what you think you need. Write it down in a simple 2 step matrix – What the problem is – what the impact is – and what you think the solution is (don’t worry too much about the solution at this point). Something like what I have below:
|
Problem
|
Impact
|
Potential Solution
|
|---|---|---|
|
It’s hard to keep up with getting quotes out fast enough to keep up. |
I don’t have a consistent pipeline of work leading to me to at times take jobs I’d rather not do. |
An estimating tool that’s easy to learn that keeps me on top of all my prospects and bids. |
Great, when you’ve taken the time to do Step 1, you have clearly defined your north star when navigating all the different construction software choices out there. Now we begin Step 2:
Step 2: The Hunt.
Generally, checking software review sites like Capterra or G2 are great places to start. You also can look at industry blogs, although trying to find reputable sources can be harder in an AI-driven world, so keep a healthy dose of skepticism when surfing the web. The best way to surf is looking for common search terms, like “construction management software” or “home construction estimating.”
As you’re looking at reviews and company websites. Keep a list handy of your favorite software packages, as it’s easy to get lost in websites and feature pages.
Step 3: Get your hands on!!
Once you’ve checked some review sites and browsed their websites, get your hands on a free trial! Take it for a spin! You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a spin or at least checking inside of it would you? Be wary of a company that doesn’t offer some sort of free trial.
When trying out software, you might even discover things that help remind you of other pain points or challenges you have in your company. Take the time discover these things. Don’t try to cram too much investigating into too little time. The best trials are not just days long but usually a week or two.
Step 4: Chat with a sales person
Yes, they are there to sell to you, but trustworthy software providers ensure their sales team members are there to help you first and foremost. Now is not the time to be shy. Ask a lot of questions.
This is where you critically evaluate each tool as you speak with a sales person. It’s your time to decide what the true impact software can have on your business. Yes, you might feel like your problems are tough and insurmountable, but chances are the person with whom you are speaking has heard something similar. So ask those questions!
Ready to get started, today?
If you think you’ve come to right place for advice, that’s great news! Thank you, and let me direct your attention to Buildxact’s free trial offer. Book a demo with one of Buildxact’s helpful representatives or start a free 14-day trial, today! Your next successful project, just might be a result of you using the best home construction job management software in the business, Buildxact!
