Freelancers know the tightrope walk between doing the work and making sure that they have the support in place so they can actually do the work. Remembering to give yourself enough support is hard enough even when you’re not worried about how much it’s going to cost you. And with the current cost of living crisis in the United Kingdom, you’ll be second-guessing every single penny going out of your business account. But you’re setting yourself up for a tough time if you don’t invest in tech and software that can make your life easier.
Accounting Software
A lot of freelancers choose to hire an accountant instead of diving into their finances themselves. But you might not need a financial advisor if you have a decent enough head for figures and software that can help you stay on top of your money. One thing is for sure: you will definitely need one or the other (or both, as many accountants will recommend using accounting software to make both of your lives easier). For example, you can’t afford to miss the government’s self-assessment tax deadline. And given how much prices are going up; you can’t afford to miss when those numbers in the black start going into the red.
IT Support
It’s scary to think about how much you rely on your tech. You won’t even want to think about what would happen if something were to break, or if your business were to fall victim to a ransomware attack because it would feel like you were somehow inviting it to happen. This is where IT support comes in handy because they will take all of that pressure off your shoulders. A good IT support company will be able to offer fast solutions to any problem you might have, and they can give your company a big security boost. If you are looking for IT support in London, get in touch with the team at Totality Services. They’ll be able to talk you through which services are the perfect fit for you, and they have outstanding reviews.
Project Management Software
Even if you cherish the experience of working alone, you’re always going to have to get other people involved in the project at some point. The process of bringing colleagues or clients up to speed can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you haven’t given yourself the tools to make it easier. This is where project management software comes in. It’s an umbrella term that covers a lot of ground, but essentially it is one of the easiest ways that you (and anyone else that you choose to give access to it) can monitor the progress of any given project. You can flag up areas that need attention if you need input from someone else. Even if you are not using it as a collaborative tool, project management software can make a big difference in straightening out your admin and workflow.
Website Design
Your business website should be so much more than a placeholder for your company name and a contact page. There are still businesses and freelancers out there who do not understand just how much their sites can do for them. To start with, it is a way for you to grab people’s attention with an eye-catching and vibrant design. It should be your portfolio of work, which is particularly important for a field as visual as architecture. It can also organically boost business by giving your company a push in Google’s search rankings. A lot of the search engine giant’s recent updates have been focused on user experience and relevance, which means that they want to give a leg up to websites that give users what they are looking for. And it can also be a way for you to turn casual clicks into potential clients. An AI chatbot, for example, can help you to keep visitors around by answering commonly asked questions. Talk to a web designer if you are not sure how to capitalise on your site’s potential.
Self-Care Apps
Finally, here is something that is so important for freelancers. There is always going to be the temptation to work around the clock to get that project done and to keep chasing those leads. But burnout has been such a crushing issue for freelancers and self-employed people across all sectors and you need to be looking for ways that you can take care of yourself better. Self-care apps come in many forms, from sleep apps to guided meditation and exercise. If you have found that you have been letting your health, physical and mental, slip, then you should maybe think about incorporating these into your work day. You’ll be much more confident about nailing presentations and seeing the bigger picture if you keep working on yourself too.