There’s an app for that… But you don’t need it!
I know I know, the “business guru” you stalk ... I mean follow on Instagram, told you that you need a very specific platform in order to be successful…
I need you to hear me.
Before you make business decisions based on what someone online told you… make sure you ACTUALLY need it.
There are so many apps out there that do the same thing, but just look different.
Just to give you some #s to work with, at the time of writing this blog there are:
More than 1500 Sales & CRM tools connected to Zapier.
More than 200 Website building apps connected to Zapier.
Over 250 Project Management apps connected to Zapier.
Over 675 Commerce apps connected to Zapier.
They all have their pros and cons.
What you may love about one app, someone else may HATE about it.
So, before you jump down the rabbit hole and follow that random advice … make sure you actually need it.
The temptation - reasons people fall in the app trap
Before we get into the nitty gritty of why you don’t need that app, or how to assess if you do, let’s look at a couple reasons why people get tempted by new apps:
1. FOMO (fear of missing out)
FOMO is real, and a lot of people suffer from it. I realize everyone wants to have the “cool things”. But that’s not a way to make business decisions. You’re not missing out on something if you don’t use the same app as your friends.
One of my business besties is obsessed with Asana, I’m a ClickUp girl… guess what… we’re still friends! Why? Her business is her business and mine is mine.
The fear of missing out on the latest trends often pushes business owners to adopt apps that have no value to their business.
2. Shiny object syndrome
We all want the new shiny toy. It is more exciting, it’s fresh, it’s just MORE FUN! Until it too loses its sparkle.
NEW doesn’t mean BETTER!
That new, flashy tool might not actually solve any problems or add value which means they can end up being a costly distraction rather than a genuine solution.
Steps to vet/determine if you need that app
Now, with all that being said… you always want to improve efficiency and optimize your business so it is important to be able to properly assess if you want the app because of FOMO/shiny object syndrome or if there is an actual business need.. Here are the steps to properly determine if the app is one that you need.
1. Assess your ACTUAL needs
Start by asking yourself these questions:
What problem does this new tool solve?
Does this tool solve the problem for all parties involved or just me?
Are there other options to solve this problem without using a new tool?
Was this a pain point BEFORE I saw/heard about this new app or did it become a pain point because I want the app?
Like the old saying goes: which came first, the pain point or the app? (Ok yes, I totally made that up… but you get the point)
Make sure “FOMO” and “shiny object syndrome” aren’t creeping in here.
2. Evaluate your current tools
Most people only use a fraction of the functionality that their tools offer. Let’s look at Microsoft Excel for example - there are over 450 functions - how many of those do you know?
Ask yourself these questions:
Does one of the apps I have already do this?
If yes, what does this app do better than the app I already have?
Does a tool I have do something similar that will help fill the void?
Does this new tool have features that could replace one or more of my current apps?
I want to share an example here! I have a client who used Canva to make her invoices. Her reasoning? She liked the way the template looked. When I told her that you can upload custom invoice templates to Quickbooks Online (which she was using for expenses) to make the invoice look however you want it to, she was shocked.
She now does invoicing in QBO.
3. Real benefits vs. perceived value
Now this one is a tricky one… because you may not be able to identify it right away.
You need to really take a look at what the actual benefits of using this app are to your business. Other than you can now say you are trendy… what value does it bring to your business? Will it save you time? Will it make your life easier? How?
When you do this it’s important to think of your business, not what the app's marketing campaign tells you the value is. Will it have an impact on your business?
Here’s another example:
I love automation and the power of some of the CRMs out there, but I do not have a plug and play product suite (courses, high ticket offers) etc that people purchase through a funnel. What I do for each client is 100% customized to their needs.
So a fancy system like Salesforce, Honeybook or Dubsado would be OVERKILL for me. I just don’t need them. So when I see ads saying how much time it will save me - I know that those apps wouldn’t actually save me any time.
If you’ve made it here and have determined you do in fact need this app… now it’s time to assess the actual app.
How to assess the app
1. Make sure you know the key criteria you are looking for and make a list BEFORE you dive into the app details (this way you can’t be swayed)
What do you need the app to be able to do? (Functionality)
What kind of visual elements do you want (this is important!)
What is your budget
Is it easy to use? How long does it take to set it up?
Do you need it to integrate with other apps?
Do you need multiple users? Do you need multiple access levels?
What specific features do you need?
Does it have good customer service support etc
2. Compare the features/details of the app to your criteria list you made. Does the app fit your criteria?
(If it doesn’t: do not, do not pass go… do not collect $200)
3. Read reviews!
The app website can make the app look perfect and like your ideal solution. Make sure you take a look at how people feel about the app, what issues they’ve run into. This will also help show how responsive the app is to these issues and if they update often.
4. Demo/free trial
Try the app! MOST apps these days allow a free trial so you can get in there and poke around. Take advantage of this! Some things on paper don't actually function the way you’d expect so hands on trial and error is the best way to see what it can actually do.
5. Make a decision: You now have enough information to make a decision that is right for your business.
If you like it, subscribe! I recommend doing the monthly subscription (not yearly) until you can really see if it works for you. Once you’ve used it for 3-6 months you can switch to yearly.
If you don’t like it, walk away: If the app isn’t all you expected it to be… walk away.
This is your friendly reminder to make good (informed) choices.
I promise your friends will still like you if you don’t have the same app, your clients will still pay you if you don’t use the same system and your business will still be successful if you don’t jump on every app trend.
Efficiency and effectiveness should always be prioritized over trendiness. Keep your eye on what will genuinely benefit your business.
