How to Run a Business From Your Smartphone
Over recent years, smartphones and smartphone cases have experienced significant technological advancements, making them faster and more efficient than ever before. As a result, running a business from a smartphone is now a reality. Networking advancements and software updates make it possible for on-the-go business owners and remote workers to work from their phones.
You need to take the proper steps to run your own business from your smartphone. If you’re interested in increasing productivity and working from your phone, here’s how to start.
Invest in a separate work phone
Although it’s possible to run a business from your smartphone, many professionals fall victim to distractions such as social networking and games. In fact, an article by the Pew Research Center revealed that 34 percent of professionals use social media while working to take a mental break, and 27 percent use social media to connect with friends or family while at work.
Investing in a separate work phone can help you to increase productivity and stay focused while running your business. In addition, separating your personal and work phones can mitigate security risks, because you won’t need to access company information on your personal phone.
A phone that’s used solely for business can be deducted as a business expense for tax purposes.
If purchasing a new phone isn’t within your budget, consider repairing your personal phone. Whether you need an iPhone 7 screen replacement or a new battery, you can often get your phone back within an hour. If you plan to use a personal phone, changing your notification settings and using apps to monitor the amount of time spent on social media can help minimize distractions.
Download cross-platform apps
If you’re constantly switching between your smartphone and laptop, downloading apps that allow you to seamlessly switch between platforms is essential. Many common office apps such as Office 365 and Google Suite have smartphone versions that simplify working on the go. Collaboration apps such as Slack also make it easier for business owners or remote workers to stay connected and available throughout the day.
Although you can find hundreds of productivity apps on the market, opt for the simplest setup. Too many apps will leave you feeling overwhelmed, making it more difficult to work efficiently. Opting for fewer apps also allows you to save storage space and further eliminate distractions.
If you’re not sure where to start, find out whether your favorite desktop applications have mobile versions. Before downloading a new smartphone application, make sure you’ll also be able to access notes or documents on your desktop.
Set guidelines
If you’re running a business from your smartphone, it can be difficult to set boundaries between your professional and personal life. As a result, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and work long hours. Establishing communication guidelines and setting a schedule for yourself will help you keep your professional and personal life separate.
To start, create a separate email address for your business and check it only when you’re working. Forwarding business emails to your personal email address often leads to stress. However, most emails don’t require an immediate reply and can wait until you return to work.
Establishing communication guidelines can help you avoid feeling attacked from multiple channels of communication. Some experts recommend using a variety of messaging apps for different purposes. For example, use Slack for non-urgent messages, email for formal requests, and texts and calls for more urgent matters.
Recent advancements have made it possible for business owners to run a business using smartphone apps. Although running a business using a smartphone is now a reality, it’s essential for business owners to the proper steps to maximize productivity and eliminate potential distractions.
