Business software is any form of computer program used by a business to get their work completed to the highest standard possible. This, of course, is a loose description.

So, here’s some more in-depth information on a few pieces of software that you might want to use to your advantage.

Custom Software

First things first, you need to bear in mind that any pre-made software is going to have its limitations. After all, it’s produced for a mass market and is going to have to tick more general boxes. Off-the-shelf software is likely to fall short of your company’s needs.

So, if you want some software that suits your small business’ needs down to a tee, it’s best to have custom software developed. Collaborate with software development companies who will be able to bring all of your dreams to reality in the neat package of a specialist program.

Common Software

Besides custom software, there are plenty of preexisting programs that your business can put to good use. Some are free, some will have to be paid for outright or on a subscription basis.

Below are some of the most commonly used and popular pieces of software out there.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word forms a major part of the Microsoft Office Suite or can be purchased individually as a stand-alone product. It is perhaps the most frequently used of Microsoft’s applications when it comes to business practice. Its profound success means that it has been going since the 1980s and has consequently undergone several revisions to ensure it continues to meet user expectations. Each revision has served to improve user experience with the program. So, what does it actually do?

Well, the clue is in the name! Microsoft Word is a piece of word processing software. You can use it to easily create and edit documents for all of your business needs. It’s extremely simple to operate: what you see is what you get! When you open it up, you’re presented with a blank document. You can type as much text as you please and the toolbar at the top allows you to make changes to how the page looks. For example, you can make text bold by pressing “B”, italic by pressing “I”, or underlined by pressing the “U” at the top of the page. You can also change text alignment, font, and text size. What’s particularly useful is that the way text is presented on your screen is exactly the same as it will be printed out if you so wish.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular pieces of photo editing software. You’d be surprised by the sheer amount of images that you will use in your small business. From product images to logos and graphics for your newsletters and emails, there’s always something that could do with a little editing. Photoshop makes editing easier than ever. Though it can be a little complex to operate at first, your skills will rapidly expand as you become increasingly familiar with the controls! Watch online tutorials or take photo editing classes to get to grips with the software and unleash its full potential.

Microsoft Powerpoint

Here’s another from Microsoft’s specialist office software! Microsoft Powerpoint is a brilliant program for creating slideshow presentations. Now, not every business will have a use for Microsoft Powerpoint. If each individual does their own work and keeps their findings and results to themselves that’s fine. However, sharing findings and presenting different viewpoints to other people you’re working with can be extremely productive. You may also need to give some sort of presentation to people outside of your business in order to secure partnerships and collaborations.

If you do find that you have some sort of presentation to give, this program will quickly become indispensable for you. This is perhaps why it tends to maintain its position as a firm favorite amongst students, lecturers, professors, and other professionals. As a program, Microsoft Powerpoint uses a graphic approach to create slideshow points that can be used as a brilliant accompaniment to any speech or talk. This makes your presentations pop! After all, we do live in a visual generation where people constantly want something to look at.

Slides can be plain and simple or elaborate and complex, meaning there’s something to suit every occasion. There are also options to include images, music, video links, and HTML links to further references.

As you can see, there are various pieces of software that you’re likely to use on a daily basis to help your business perform to the highest level possible. Some may be out there on the market already, some might be waiting to be made!