Monday, March 23, 2020

Best Direct Mail Services

Direct mail is still a viable marketing strategy. It’s easy to lose sight of this when you’re putting more emphasis on online advertisements, email, and other digital marketing tactics.

But direct mail is an effective and affordable way to drive brand awareness, generate leads, and engage with new customers. It’s an excellent opportunity for both new and established businesses to reach consumers who may not see their digital presence.

In order to have success in this space, you need to find a reliable direct mail service. Direct mail services help you deliver promotional content to consumer and business mailboxes.

A basic direct mail company will print, stamp, and deliver your flyers, postcards, or brochures. Some services take that one step further by providing you with design templates and helping you create a list of viable address.

Use this guide to find the best direct mailing company for your business.

The 8 Best Direct Mail Services of 2020

Even though so many people believe that direct mail is dead, there are still countless direct mail services on the market today. The high number of companies in this space proves that the industry is still alive and thriving.

After extensive research, I’ve narrowed down the best direct mail companies to eight options:

  • NextDayFlyers — Best direct mail service with next business day printing.
  • PrintingForLess.com — Best direct mail service for EDDM (every door direct mail).
  • Vistaprint — Best for other printing and promotional needs in addition to direct mail.
  • Gunderson Direct — Best full-service direct mail marketing agency.
  • PostcardMania — Best for high-volume postcard campaigns.
  • Cactus Mailing — Best direct mail service for brochures.
  • SaasMQL — Best direct mail service for SaaS demand generation.
  • PsPrint — Most options for mailable products.

I’ll give you an in-depth review of the features, benefits, and use cases of each one below.

Best Direct Mail Services Reviews

NextDayFlyers

NextDayFlyers

NextDayFlyers is one of the most popular direct mail services on the market today. They offer a wide range of products at an affordable rate with fast delivery times.

With NextDayFlyers, your company can send:

  • Postcards
  • Brochures
  • Mail rack cards
  • Custom products

NextDayFlyers will store your inventory, verify addresses, presort your products, and send your mail. You can also rent mailing lists for campaigns as well.

Use NextDayFlyers for EDDM (every door direct mail) postcards.

Navigating through this platform is easy. Simply choose the size of your flyer, customize the cardstock, add a gloss or matte coating, and select your quantity. You can create artwork directly on their website or upload your own file.

You’ll see the cost for your direct mail campaign in real-time as you continue to make changes.

As the name implies, NextDayFlyers does offer next business day printing turnaround. Although you will pay a higher price for this premium service. But it’s a great option for time-sensitive offers and campaigns.

PrintingForLess.com

Printing for Less

PrintingForLess.com is another well-known and reputable direct mail service. It’s a one-stop-shop for both printing and mailing needs for businesses.

As a full-service mailing house, PFL has mailing lists and every door direct mail services.

You’ll also benefit from a wide range of resources and tools like free templates and direct mail tips.

Before you start producing and mailing at scale, PFL will give you custom free printing samples. You can choose from different paper types, weights, coatings, binding options, effects, and other products to see which one is the best for your business.

To request a sample, simply fill out a form online, email PFL, or call their customer support team.

Some standouts of the features, sizes, and options available for direct mail via PFL include:

  • Standard mailing
  • EDDM
  • Variable data imprints
  • Custom size and shape mail
  • Custom window sizes and placement
  • Custom envelop flap sizes and shapes
  • Tabbing and inserting
  • Custom ink, coating, and finishes
  • Standard, premium, and specialty paper

More than 200,000 businesses trust PFL for their needs. The service has been used by popular brands like Zappos, 99designs, Constant Contact, British Airways, and more.

Vistaprint

Visaprint

Vistaprint is arguably the most recognizable name in the world of business printing. This online service offers everything and anything you can imagine for every business type.

Some popular categories include:

  • Promotional products
  • Labels and stickers
  • Bags and Clothing
  • Signage
  • Trade shows
  • Marketing materials
  • Business cards

In addition to this extensive list of offerings and more, Vistaprint also has a postcard mailing service.

Vistaprint will create and mail these postcards for you. Simply design your card, send them your list of addresses, and Vistaprint will handle the rest. Vistaprint has both standard and oversized postcards.

Don’t have a mailing list? No problem. You can buy a targeted list directly through this platform as well.

I like using Vistaprint because they have so many other products and services. So if you want to get your mailing service from the same provider as your other promotional products and printing needs, you can get it all in one place.

Gunderson Direct

Gunderson Direct

Gunderson Direct is a full-service direct marketing agency.

For 16+ years, this organization has been driving leads for big brands like PayPal, ZipRecruiter, Postmates, AAA, Adobe, Wells Fargo, and Dish Network. They even work with some of the best business loan companies like Lending Club.

The experts at Gunderson Direct have everything you need to know to get the most out of your direct mail campaigns.

Here’s how the process works.

You’ll start with a consultation with the Gunderson Direct team. Based on your needs, they’ll help you create a mailing list using their own database as well as external resources.

Gunderson Direct will manage your entire direct mail campaign from start to finish. They take a creative approach to direct mail and provide detailed reports and analytics for each campaign. These reports will show KPIs, benchmarks, and detail new opportunities for improving performance and ROI.

All of Gunderson Direct’s services are customized. So you’ll have to contact their team to request a quote and get more information about your direct mailing needs.

PostcardMania

PostcardMania

More than 90,000 businesses trust PostcardMania for printing and mailing. It’s a top option for high-volume postcard direct mail because of its low prices and bulk discounts.

PostcardMania offers the following services:

  • Postcard printing
  • Postcard design
  • Direct mailing
  • Bulk mailing
  • Mailing lists
  • Every door direct mail (EDDM)

I like PostcardMania because the platform has an extensive resource of designs for businesses in nearly every category. Here’s a sample of the roughly 80 different industries served by PostcardMania:

  • Attorneys
  • Car dealerships
  • Dry cleaning
  • Landscaping
  • Massage therapy
  • Optometry
  • Roofing
  • Restaurants
  • Retail
  • Jewelry
  • Interior design
  • Furniture

The list goes on and on.

PostcardMania has a unique service called Everywhere Small Business. As the name implies, this is a multi-channel marketing effort that includes direct mail. In addition to mail, you’ll also benefit from mail tracking, targeted Facebook follow-up advertisements, Instagram ads, Google follow-ups, and call tracking.

PostcardMania targets the same people who are receiving your promotions in the mail across digital advertising channels. It brings multiple campaigns together for lead generation and brand awareness.

Pricing for high-volume standard-sized postcards starts at just $0.05 per piece. You likely won’t find a better bulk rate in the industry.

Cactus Mailing

Cactus Mailing

Cactus Mailing is a simple and straightforward direct mail service that’s ideal for small businesses. Some of their top success stories include a 700% return on investment for one business and $150,000+ in new revenue for another.

Overall, Cactus Mailing has helped more than 17,000 businesses increase sales, promote brand awareness, and acquire new customers through direct mail.

Top services include:

  • Direct mail postcards
  • Direct mail brochures
  • Targeted mailing lists
  • Mail piece design
  • Call tracking

Similar to some of the other services on our list, Cactus Mailing also offers “Smart Marketing.” This program includes Google display ads and landing pages in addition to direct mail postcards.

Cactus Mailing has a helpful ROI calculator tool and an extensive design gallery.

Some of the top industries using Cactus Mailing include dentists, restaurants, salons, spas, churches, real estate, retail, fitness, and more.

Another reason to consider Cactus Mailing is because they are always running great specials if you combine more than one service. Contact them today for a quote on your direct mailing needs.

SaasMQL

SaasMQL

SaasMQL is extremely unique compared to the other direct mail services on our list. I’ll start off right away by saying this company is not for everyone. SaasMQL offers account-based demand generation for SaaS businesses.

If your organization falls into this category, SaasMQL will be a top choice to consider.

In most cases, direct mail isn’t associated with SaaS. But SaasMQL has revolutionized the way that you approach your lead generation strategy. They use direct mail to create leads and opportunities with mid-market and enterprise-level prospects.

Using a direct mail campaign, one of their clients generated more than 50 qualified meetings in less than two months. This generated over $2 million.

How do they do it?

Instead of just sending a flyer or a postcard, SaasMQL sends packages to businesses. This stands out compared to the hundreds of emails, calls, and junk mail these people get on a daily basis. Nobody is going to take a package and just throw it in the garbage.

In addition to direct mail, SaasMQL will help you with other account-based marketing campaigns and analytics. They have everything you need for SaaS demand generation across multiple channels.

PsPrint

PsPrint

PsPrint has a wide range of products available for direct mail. Unlike other services that just offer postcards or flyers, PsPrint will create and mail:

  • Postcards
  • Brochures
  • Greeting cards
  • Invitations
  • Booklets
  • Catalogs
  • Newsletters

Their services include mailing list processing, CASS certification, inkjet addressing, and postal resorting.

PsPrint offers a quick turnaround as well. Your order can be mailed out in two to five days after the printing job has been completed.

The entire process can be managed online. Just select your product, upload your artwork, and attach your mailing list. PsPrint will even send you an extra prints that weren’t mailed. The “overs” are free if they fit into one box.

For those of you who don’t have a mailing list, PsPrint will help yo create one in less than 15 minutes. Just answer some questions related to your target market based on age, income, zip code, and other details.

How to Choose the Best Direct Mail Service For Your Business

As you can see from this list, each direct mail service is unique. Finding the best one for your business can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for.

This is our methodology for narrowing your choices down. I’ll explain each factor in greater detail below.

Design Options

First impressions are crucial for direct mail campaigns. It’s important that your final product looks sharp and professional when it’s delivered to a mailbox.

Find a direct mail service that helps you create a high-quality design. Some services offer industry-specific templates. Other companies let you choose the quality, size, and finish of your products. Designs should be eye-catching and informative as well.

Mailer Types

Certain direct mail services are limited in what they’ll print and mail for you. Just because a company offers a product for custom printing, it doesn’t mean that it’s available for direct mail.

Common mailer types include:

  • Postcards
  • Flyers
  • Invitations
  • Greeting cards
  • Brochures
  • Newsletters
  • Catalogs
  • Booklets
  • Custom products

For some of you, a postcard will be sufficient. But if you’re looking to send more detailed information about your organization, you might want to consider a brochure or catalog.

Although uncommon, companies like SaasMQL even send packages via direct mail for certain business types.

Mailing Lists

Who are you sending your direct mail campaigns to?

Not every business has a mailing list on hand. For those of you who don’t, you’ll want to find a direct mail service that will help you generate a targeted list. Sometimes this is free and part of the service. Other times you’ll need to pay extra to buy or rent a list.

Turnaround Time

Some direct mail campaigns are more time-sensitive than others.

If customers and prospects are receiving a mailer after a promotion has expired or come to an end, it’s a huge waste of money. Once printing is complete, mailing turnaround time ranges anywhere from next business day to ten business days.

You can usually pay extra to get your mailers out faster. But it’s better to find a direct mail service that works quickly at no additional cost.

Price and Volume

In most cases, price and volume go hand-in-hand for direct mail campaigns. The more you order, the less you pay per piece.

Make sure you use a direct mailing service that offers transparent pricing. Sometimes companies will draw you in with a low per piece cost, but don’t include the costs for print and postage until the end.

Sometimes you can get see the prices online. But lots of direct mail companies offer custom quotes based on your needs.

Additional Services

It’s rare to see a company that only offers direct mail. Lots of the options on our list include additional services for other marketing campaigns and common business needs.

For some of you, it could be more cost-effective to bundle these offerings with one company. Even if you don’t need them today, it’s something to consider for your future plans.

Conclusion

With so many direct mailing services on the market today, these are the top eight that I’d recommend:

  • NextDayFlyers — Best direct mail service with next business day printing.
  • PrintingForLess.com — Best direct mail service for EDDM (every door direct mail).
  • Vistaprint — Best for other printing and promotional needs in addition to direct mail.
  • Gunderson Direct — Best full-service direct mail marketing agency.
  • PostcardMania — Best for high-volume postcard campaigns.
  • Cactus Mailing — Best direct mail service for brochures.
  • SaasMQL — Best direct mail service for SaaS demand generation.
  • PsPrint — Most options for mailable products.

There’s a service provider on here for every business across all industries. From startups to B2B organizations selling software, direct mail is for everyone.



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Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Best Online Legal Services

Everyone needs a lawyer at some point or another. This is especially true if you’re running a business or launching a startup.

From setting up your business entity to settling disputes and reviewing contracts, getting assistance from a legal professional is a necessity.

But not everyone has a lawyer on retainer. For those that do, your lawyer might not specialize in the type of legal practice you need for all of your business and personal needs.

That’s why online legal services are so helpful. With just a few clicks, you can access legal documents, find an attorney nearby, set up your business, and seek legal counsel.

Whether you need an attorney now or you’re planning for the future, I’ll show you how to find the best online legal service for your business and personal needs.

The 8 Best Online Legal Services of 2020

The Internet is flooded with different legal resources. But when it comes to something this important, it’s crucial that you find a reputable legal service.

After extensive research, these are the top eight online legal services that I’d recommend:

  • LegalZoom — Best overall online legal service.
  • LegalNature — Best for self-service legal documents and templates.
  • Incfile — Best online legal service for business formation.
  • Rocket Lawyer — Best online legal service for legal documents.
  • Avvo — Best free online legal service.
  • UpCounsel — Best for outsourced legal departments and complex needs.
  • LegalMatch — Best online legal service for finding an attorney near you.
  • Atrium — Best online professional service provider with legal assistance.

I’ll highlight the top features, benefits, use cases, and considerations for each one as we continue through this guide.

Best Online Legal Services Reviews

LegalZoom

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is the most diverse online legal service on the market today. This website can accommodate your personal, professional, and business needs.

Over four million people have used LegalZoom’s services. More than two million of those people trust LegalZoom to help start or run their business. The platform has facilitated 500,000+ attorney consultations as well, with a network of lawyers in all 50 states.

LegalZoom’s online legal services can be segmented into four main categories. I’ll give you a quick summary of some of the top legal services and features within those categories below.

Business

  • Business formation
  • Corporate changes and filings
  • Business compliance
  • Business names
  • Trademark, patent, and copyright
  • Real estate
  • Taxes, licensing, and permits
  • Legal forms and agreements

Intellectual Property

  • Trademark search
  • Trademark registration
  • Copyright registration
  • Design patent
  • Utility patent
  • Provisional patent application

Wills, Trust, and Family

  • Estate planning
  • Marriage and divorce
  • Residential lease
  • Property lease
  • Financial power of attorney

Attorney Advice

  • Business consultation
  • Personal consultation
  • Contracts and agreements
  • Website terms and conditions

In addition to these categories for specific needs, LegalZoom offers six-month and annual plans for businesses and individuals. Individual plans start at $9.99 per month with an annual contract, and business plans start at $31.25 per month with a one-year commitment.

Overall, LegalZoom is a top choice to consider for one-time services as well as ongoing legal needs.

LegalNature

LegalNature

LegalNature is an online service that offers legal documents and templates. It’s fast, reliable, and easy for anyone to use.

The legal document templates on LegalNature’s platform are extensive. They have legal documents for businesses, landlords, and individuals. Here’s a quick overview of some of LegalNature’s top categories:

  • Business
  • Business formation
  • Commercial property
  • Estate planning
  • Healthcare
  • Human resources
  • Marriage and divorce
  • Landlord and tenant
  • Personal affairs
  • Property

Here’s how it works. Simply choose a legal document type that you need to create. LegalNature will give you step-by-step guidance throughout the entire process as you complete the document. Once you’re done, it’s easy to download and store your documents.

Let’s take a closer look at the plans and pricing options for LegalNature:

Single Document

  • Prices range from $34.95 to $78.95 per document
  • Unlimited updates and edits
  • No subscription required

Standard Plan

  • $38.95 per month (or $82 per year with annual contract)
  • Single version of each document
  • Access to all documents

Professional Plan

  • $58.95 per month (or $499 per year)
  • Unlimited versions of each document
  • Access to all documents

As you can see, there’s a plan available for everyone. Whether you need legal documents for a single use or an ongoing basis, LegalNature has you covered.

You can try LegalNature for free with a 7-day trial.

Incfile

IncFile

Incfile is an online legal service that specializes in business formation. Since launching back in 2004, Incfile has helped over 250,000 business owners get started.

Simply choose your entity type (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or Nonprofit) and select your state of formation to proceed. If you’re not sure what entity type is best for your startup, Incfile will help you select the best option.

Incfile has three different packages. The rates for each one vary by state.

All plans include:

  • Company name availability verification
  • Preparation and filing
  • Registered agent service (free for one year)
  • Lifetime company alerts
  • Online status tracking
  • Free business tax consultation
  • Lifetime support
  • Online access to your incorporation documents
  • Next day business processing

You can get the basic plan for $0 plus the cost of your state’s registration fee. However, you’ll have to pay extra for things like that EIN/Tax ID, IRS From 2553, operating agreements, and more.

So I would not recommend that entry-level plan (Silver). You’re much better off with the Gold or Platinum packages.

To find the exact cost for your startup, just select an entity type and choose your state. You can get a quote in seconds.

Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer specializes in legal documents. This online legal service helps individuals and business owners create legal documents for a wide range of use cases.

Here are some of the popular document types segmented by category:

Business

  • Starting a business
  • Business operations
  • Service contracts
  • Employment and HR
  • Intellectual property

Real Estate

  • Tenants
  • Landlords
  • Homes

Family and Personal

  • Estate planning
  • Personal finance
  • Family matters
  • Health and medical
  • Personal property
  • General legal matters

There are two ways to use Rocket Lawyer. You can pay a monthly membership fee of $39.99 per month to access free services and discounted documents. Alternatively, you pay per use based on what you need.

For example, Rocket Lawyer charges $39.99 per document. So the monthly membership pays for itself with just one of these.

If you know you’re going to need multiple documents at once or need legal documents created on an ongoing basis then the monthly membership is definitely worth it.

I like Rocket Lawyer because they have an exceptional mobile app. This gives you fast access to your documents from anywhere. You can even sign agreements directly from the app.

Avvo

Avvo

Avvo is a bit unique compared to some of the other online legal services on our list.

The platform has an extensive lawyer directory to help you find an attorney in your area. But it also serves as a way to get free legal questions answered online.

You can browse questions that were asked by other people or post your own question and get responses from multiple lawers.

Popular questions and legal advice on Avvo are related to:

  • Business
  • Child custody
  • Criminal defense
  • DUI
  • Divorce
  • Employment
  • Immigration
  • Landlord and tenant
  • Personal injury
  • Prenuptial agreement
  • Traffic violations

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Overall, there are hundreds of legal topics related to your personal situation on Avvo.

In addition to the lawyer directory and free Q&A, Avvo also has tons of free articles, resources, and guides with legal advice. For those of you who need legal questions answered online but don’t want to spend money on an attorney consultation, Avvo will be your best option.

UpCounsel

UpCounsel

UpCounsel is another well-known online legal service. It has a network of more than 5,000 lawyers to meet all of your needs.

From one-time personal legal consultations to an entire freelance legal department for your business, UpCounsel has it all.

Over 10,000 businesses trust UpCounsel for legal needs. It’s used by top brands like Airbnb and Visually.

Popular legal categories offered on UpCounsel include:

  • Business formation
  • Agreements
  • Patents
  • Trademarks
  • General counsel
  • Labor and employment
  • Securities and finance

Here’s how it works.

Take a minute to post the job related to your business and legal needs. All of the information you share on UpCounsel is strictly confidential.

The UpCounsel algorithm will automatically match you with qualified attorneys to handle your specific needs. Those lawyers will send you proposals, and you can schedule a free consultation without any obligation.

Once you’re ready to proceed, you can hire your lawyer. All of the pricing is straightforward, so you never have to worry about hidden fees. Collaborate with your lawyer online, directly through the UpCounsel platform.

UpCounsel makes it easy for you to manage all of your communications in one place. The platform offers time-tracked phone calls and free document management.

You’ll also be able to manage all of your invoices, track your spending, and benefit from flexible payment options. If you worked with a lawyer in the past that you liked, you UpCounsel makes it easy for you to connect with them again.

LegalMatch

LegalMatch

As the name implies, LegalMatch is a platform designed to match you with an attorney. It’s the best choice for those of you seeking legal counsel in your local area.

The process is simple, quick, and straightforward. Just provide your location and choose a category from the following list of options:

  • Family
  • Employment
  • Criminal defense
  • Real estate
  • Business
  • Immigration

LegalMatch will automatically connect you with a high-rated licensed lawyer near you. The best part? The entire process is free to you.

More than four million cases have been posted on this legal website. LegalMatch has been helping people find local lawyers for the last 20 years.

You’ll have a response within 24 hours of posting your case. So it’s a great option for those of you with a time-sensitive matter.

After you’ve been matched, you’ll have full access to the attorney’s profile and background information. You’ll also have access to user ratings and reviews from previous clients to help you make a decision. LegalMatch provides a complete breakdown of each lawyer’s fee structure.

It’s an ideal option for finding lawyers without any pressure. Simply choose which lawyer is best for your needs after reviewing the options provided by LegalMatch.

You’re never under any obligation to hire a lawyer or sign a contract when you’re matched with an attorney through this platform.

Atrium

Atrium

Atrium is probably the most unique option on our list. This platform offers a wide range of online professional services—including legal.

The legal services offered by Atrium can be segmented into four different categories:

Corporate

  • Emerging companies
  • Debt and equity financing
  • Private equity
  • Corporate governance
  • Commercial contracts
  • Tax compensation and benefits
  • Securities

Regulatory

  • Cannabis
  • FinTech and blockchain
  • Data privacy
  • Security

Intellectual Property

  • Patents
  • Trademarks
  • Copyright
  • IP advising
  • Licensing
  • Technology transactions

Litigation

  • Employment and labor
  • Commercial

For legal assistance in any of these categories, you can request a meeting through Atrium’s professional services platform.

In addition to legal counsel, Atrium offers professional services related to fundraising, HR, company culture, and hiring. For those of you who are in need of these other services, you can get it all from the same platform.

How to Choose the Best Online Legal Service For Your Business

With so many different online legal services to choose from, it can be tough to narrow down your options. How can you find the best online legal service provider for you?

This is the methodology that we use here at Quick Sprout. I’ll go through each factor in greater detail so you can understand what matters the most as you’re going through this process.

Legal Practice Category

There are certain online legal services that specialize in specific areas of law. It’s important to find one that has a category based on your needs. For example, someone going through a divorce wouldn’t need the same attorney as a business owner drafting legal documents.

Some platforms offer online legal services for both businesses and individuals. Others specialize in one or the other.

Business Stage and Size

If you need an attorney for your business, the size and stage of your organization will play a significant role in your decision.

For those of you who are launching a startup, you could benefit from an online legal service like Incfile for registering your company. But for larger organizations that need an entire legal team or outsourced department, you’d be better off with something like UpCounsel.

Frequency of Use

Some of you might need an attorney for just one event. Whether it’s filing paperwork, drafting a contract, or settling a dispute. In these instances, you can find an online legal service with options for this purpose.

Others need ongoing legal assistance. This is especially true for business owners. You might want the ability to contact a lawyer on-demand whenever a problem or question arises. If you fall into this category, look for an online legal service with ongoing plans.

Location

In many cases, online legal services can stay online. Meaning you’ll never have the want or need to meet with an attorney in person.

However, that’s not always the case. Some of you might need to find an attorney near you. Getting matched with a lawyer that’s across the country won’t be ideal in these scenarios. So look for a platform that allows you to find a qualified lawyer based on your zip code or state.

Price and Process

The pricing structures for online legal services vary from platform to platform. Some charge an ongoing fee for a membership, while others charge on a per-case or per-use basis.

There are even some online legal services that offer free legal consultation and matching.

You’ll also need to consider how time-sensitive your matter is. Some platforms will match you with an attorney within a few hours. Others can take 24+ hours.

Getting your question answered for free on an online legal forum isn’t the best option for those of you who need to speak with a lawyer within the next few hours. Make sure you find a platform that’s easy to use and allows you to choose a lawyer without any pressure or obligation.

Conclusion

Online legal services are growing in popularity. These platforms give you access to legal help without having to leave your home or office. Plus, you won’t always be limited to attorneys in your area.

If you need to find a lawyer, start a business, or get legal advice, these are the top platforms to consider:

  • LegalZoom — Best overall online legal service.
  • LegalNature — Best self-service legal documents and templates.
  • Incfile — Best online legal service for business formation.
  • Rocket Lawyer — Best online legal service for legal documents.
  • Avvo — Best free online legal service.
  • UpCounsel — Best for outsourced legal departments and complex needs.
  • LegalMatch — Best online legal service for finding an attorney near you.
  • Atrium — Best online professional service provider with legal assistance.

No matter what kind of situation you’re in, there’s an online legal service for everyone on this list.



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Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Best Online Reputation Management Companies

In today’s digital era, an online reputation can make or break the success of a business. This statement holds true for aspiring startup owners and well-established businesses alike.

Consumers and other businesses are searching online to learn more about your organization and brand before they consider buying or working with you.

A positive brand image can lead to high sales, while a negative perception can deter people from buying your products or services.

We’ve previously covered certain ways to improve your online reputation. But you can take this one step further by working with an online reputation management company.

These services can help you build and maintain a positive brand image as well as repair a damaged one.

The 8 Best Online Reputation Management Companies of 2020

There is no shortage of online reputation management services on the market today. In a saturated industry, finding the best option for your business can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look.

I created this guide to make your life much easier. I’ve already conducted extensive research and narrowed down the top online reputation management companies for you to consider.

  • WebiMax — Best online reputation management for small business.
  • Podium — Best for managing reviews and customer feedback.
  • Gadook — Best for re-branding and reputation attacks.
  • BirdEye — Best for acquiring and managing new online reviews.
  • Reputation.com — Best algorithm for reputation scoring models.
  • Go Fish Digital — Best for managing and removing negative Yelp reviews.
  • SubmitEdge SEO — Best for online reputation management with SEO.
  • Netmark.com — Best for proactively monitoring reviews.

I’ll give you an in-depth review of each company below. You can learn more about their services, features, benefits, and other considerations to make your decision.

Best Online Reputation Management Companies Reviews

WebiMax

WebiMax

WebiMax is a digital marketing agency that specializes in reputation management.

The company was initially founded back in 2008. It made Inc. 500’s list fastest-growing companies three years in a row. WebiMax is results driven, which is why they have a 97% client retention rate.

In terms of managing your reputation online, WebiMax creates a custom strategy for everyone. They seek cost-effective methods to bury negative remarks and promote a positive image.

WebiMax is confidential and will work under a non-disclosure agreement. So nobody will know if you’re using a third-party service to build or repair your reputation online.

The service is highly intuitive. WebiMax is always evolving to match Google’s algorithm changes, which has a significant impact on how your brand is perceived online.

If you’re interested in working with WebiMax, you can get a free reputation analysis that includes:

  • Timeline to achieve your goals
  • Negative content report and deletion
  • Positive content report
  • Unclaimed profiles
  • Custom price quote

WebiMax is a top option to consider for small businesses. They have the resources, tools, and track record to deliver proven results.

Podium

Podium

Podium is a bit unique compared to other services on our list. That’s because they don’t advertise themselves as a reputation management company.

However, Podium’s services directly and indirectly improve your online reputation. Here’s how.

Podium specializes in driving reviews. So when people search for your business online, they’ll see other customers’ reviews to showcase your legitimacy. There are case studies and testimonials from Podium explaining how businesses went from 3,000 reviews to 50,000+ online reviews after using Podium’s services.

With Podium, you’ll get reviews and customer recommendations across all platforms. Whether it’s Google, Facebook, or third-party niche platforms, your businesses will be highly visible.

In addition to helping your business get reviews, Podium has other tools to manage your reputation online.

With Podium’s Webchat feature, you can improve the way you engage customers on your website. It’s a fully customizable chat widget that will help you convert leads.

You can also use Podium to gather feedback from your customers. Gain insight into what your customers like and what could use improvement.

More than 40,000 businesses trust Podium for online reputation management.

Gadook

Gadook

Ironically, the Gadook website is a bit outdated. I found this a bit strange for an online reputation management company. But don’t let that fool you; they still provide exceptional service.

With Gadook, you can benefit from both short-term and long-term solutions for managing your reputation online.

Here’s a quick overview of what Gadook offers:

  • Brand Building
  • Re-branding
  • Brand Protection
  • Social Media Optimization
  • Reputation Management

The re-branding services really stand out to me. This is ideal for businesses that have experienced some type of brand attack or negative publicity. Whether you made a mistake, or something happened to no fault of your own, your reputation could be damaged beyond repair.

Gadook knows how to rebrand your entire company. From a website redesign to new domain names and re-branded customer service, they’ll handle everything.

The brand protection service is another top consideration. Even if your company has a well-established reputation online, you want to make sure that it stays that way.

Gadook can respond to negative posts online and help enhance the density of positive content related to your website. This will ultimately marginalize any negative reviews.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, it’s worth noting that Gadook also has services for inbound marketing, SEO, and pay-per-call for lead generation.

BirdEye

BirdEye

More than 50,000 businesses use BirdEye for reputation management. Some of the most well-recognized brands include BMW, Buffalo Wild Wings, Esurance, Nissan, Remax, and Harley Davidson.

BirdEye offers a wide range of reputation management solutions, such as:

  • Review monitoring
  • Review generation
  • Review management
  • Review marketing
  • Listings management
  • Messenger and webchat
  • Surveys
  • Benchmarking
  • Insights
  • Ticketing

While your business can benefit from all of these services, the review solutions stand out the most. If your small business doesn’t have enough online reviews or needs to get more reviews on various platforms, BirdEye should be a top choice for you.

I also like BirdEye because they have solutions for small businesses and enterprises alike. We’ve already discussed some of their most well-known clients. But small business owners can benefit as well. Whether you have one location or 10,000 locations across the country, BirdEye can help you out.

BirdEye allows you to sync your reviews with Messenger.

So you’ll be notified each time you get a new review. This allows you to follow-up with customers during a time when their engagement is at its highest.

Check out some of the customer testimonials on their website. You’ll see that some small business owners went from less than ten reviews to more than 1,000 after seeking assistance from BirdEye.

Reputation.com

Reputation.com

As the name implies, Reputation.com handles all aspects of online reputation management. The Reputation.com API monitors thousands of different websites where your brand is mentioned.

Some of their top online reputation services include:

  • Online reviews
  • Business listings
  • Directory management
  • Surveys
  • Social suite
  • Actions
  • Search accelerator
  • Managed services for Google

One standout of Reputation.com is its unique algorithm for calculating your company’s reputation score. The index is measured on a scale from 100-1,000. It’s calculated using nine unique factors.

Your score will also show benchmarks relative to your industry and competitors.

Reputation.com works with businesses across 77 different industries. Some of their most popular industry solutions include online reputation management for automotive, healthcare, retail, property management, hospitality, financial services, and senior living.

It’s an all-in-one platform that uses AI and machine learning to deliver quality results and in-depth analysis for your company. Reputation.com will provide actionable information to make impactful changes at your locations.

Another benefit of Reputation.com is its mobile-first mentality. You’ll be able to manage everything directly from your smartphone using their apps.

You can check your scores and manage your reputation from anywhere.

Go Fish Digital

Go Fish Digital

Go Fish Digital is a full-service marketing agency. They offer a wide range of services like SEO, content marketing, influencer marketing, web design, web development, and CRO. Of course, online reputation management is one of their top service offerings as well.

Big brands like Geico, Monster, Survey Monkey, and Zendesk have used Go Fish Digital’s services.

The brand reputation management solutions from Go Fish Digital can be segmented into three main categories:

  • Brand building
  • Brand repair
  • Brand protection

The team over at Go Fish Digital will come up with a custom plan and solution based on the needs of your organization. They’ll handle things like search engine improvement, Yelp and online review management, and public affairs.

Go Fish Digital allows you to track search results on a daily basis. You’ll also be able to see reviews in real-time and view all of your data on an intuitive dashboard.

If you have lots of negative reviews on Yelp, Go Fish Digital can get them removed. They examine the possibilities for poor reviews that violate Yelp’s guidelines. Then they submit your case to Yelp on your behalf for removal.

Since Yelp only gives brands one chance to make an argument against negative reviews, you’ll definitely want the experts to handle this for you.

SubmitEdge SEO

SubmitEdge SEO

SubmitEdge SEO started as a small brand with just ten employees back in 2006. Today, they have a workforce of more than 300+ that are recognized worldwide as a leader in SEO services.

In addition to online reputation management, SubmitEdge SEO also specializes in social media marketing and local SEO.

With a rich history and deep roots in the world of SEO, this company uses search optimization principles to boost your online reputation.

If you have negative reviews, posts, or feedback about your brand, SubmitEdge SEO can help repair and restore any online damage. They also have services to protect against brand attacks.

SubmitEdge SEO has tools for new businesses to gain exposure. Additionally, the company can build trust and credibility for your business online.

This is a top option for small businesses that want to use SEO to manage their online reputation.

Netmark.com

Netmark

Netmark.com is another platform with a wide range of digital marketing services. Some of their top offerings include:

  • Reputation management
  • SEO
  • Social media marketing
  • Content marketing
  • Website design
  • UX design
  • Website maintenance

Like lots of other services on our list, Netmark.com focuses on reviews for building, managing, and repairing your reputation online.

The company will help you take a proactive approach to negative reviews by doing the following:

  • Set up alerts to see what people are saying about your brand online
  • Quickly respond to reviews (positive and negative)
  • Encourage customers to write reviews
  • Promote positive reviews
  • Bury negative reviews

Newmark.com will also make it easier and more appealing for your customers to file complaints in private. This is much better than bashing your brand on a public forum.

In addition to Newmark.com’s reputation management services, they have tons of free resources, best practices, and tips for tactics you can apply today.

How to Find the Best Online Reputation Management Company For Your Business

With so many different online reputation management companies to consider, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Fortunately, not all of these will be ideal for your business. You can narrow your focus to just one or two top options by using our methodology, which I’ll explain below.

Reputation Management Method

Every company has its own unique way to improve your company’s reputation online. Some of the top strategies include:

  • Content creation
  • Review management
  • Social media management
  • SEO
  • Third-party site monitoring

The type of business you have and your current reputation will dictate the best option for you.

For example, some companies will build your reputation by removing negative reviews. Other services try to drown out negative reviews by acquiring positive ones. Your personal preference will impact which company is better for your business.

Business Needs

Every organization has unique needs. A startup company with no online presence will not need the same online reputation management provider as a well-established brand that just received some negative publicity.

  • Brand building
  • Brand protection
  • Brand repair
  • Attack prevention

These are just a handful of common business needs. As you can see, some are proactive, while others are reactive. It all depends on the current state of your company.

Technology and Additional Services

Choose a brand reputation management company that uses technology to enhance your service. Algorithms to calculate your brand reputation score, mobile apps, and dashboards with real-time information are few top considerations to look out for.

You should also consider choosing an all-in-one service provider that goes beyond the basics of reputation management. Depending on your circumstances, you can also get services like web design and digital marketing from a provider on this list.

Industry Expertise

Look for an online reputation management service that has experience working with similar brands to your own.

Some companies specialize in B2B and enterprises, while others are best for small businesses.

There are online reputation services made for specific industries, like retail, healthcare, hospitality, and automotive brands. Find one that offers a solution for your business type.

Conclusion

If your company is in need of an online reputation management service, use this guide to help with your decision-making process. Here’s a quick recap of the top options on our list:

  • WebiMax — Best online reputation management for small business.
  • Podium — Best for managing reviews and customer feedback.
  • Gadook — Best for re-branding and reputation attacks.
  • BirdEye — Best for acquiring and managing new online reviews.
  • Reputation.com — Best algorithm for reputation scoring models.
  • Go Fish Digital — Best for managing and removing negative Yelp reviews.
  • SubmitEdge SEO — Best for online reputation management with SEO.
  • Netmark.com — Best for proactively monitoring reviews.

No matter what type of reputation you have, these providers can help you maintain, repair, or establish your brand name.



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Monday, March 16, 2020

Best Employee Scheduling Software

Managing your staff’s hours and shifts are both crucial to the success of your organization. The costs associated with scheduling issues can add up quickly.

Without the right tools, you could have too many workers on the clock at once or worse—not enough to meet demands.

Employee scheduling software makes everyone’s lives easier. It goes beyond just managing the daily and weekly schedules. There are options for your employees to request time off or shift changes that can be approved or denied in real-time.

Some software even has chat and employee messaging built-in.

Whether you have a startup, small business, or enterprise-level chain, the right scheduling software can streamline your HR efficiencies. I created this guide to help you find the best one for your organization.

The 9 Best Employee Scheduling Software of 2020

What’s the best employee scheduling software? After extensive research, I’ve narrowed down the list to nine options for you to consider.

  • Homebase — Best overall employee scheduling software.
  • Humanity — Best for shift trading and filling openings in real-time.
  • TSheets — Best for time-tracking and accounting integration.
  • 7shifts — Best employee scheduling software for restaurants.
  • Paycor Scheduling — Customized solutions for employee scheduling software.
  • When I Work — Best free employee scheduling software.
  • Deputy — Best for scheduling employees working at multiple locations.
  • Shiftboard — Custom solution for managing hourly workers.
  • CakeHR — Full-service HR software with employee scheduling.

Check out the in-depth reviews for each of these below. I’ll cover the features, benefits, costs, and any other considerations as we continue.

Employee Scheduling Software Reviews

Homebase

Homebase

More than 100,000 businesses trust Homebase for employee scheduling needs. For those of you with one location, you can even use Homebase for free.

The scheduling features in this software are simple and easy for anyone to use. You can build an employee schedule in just a few clicks with the drag-and-drop dashboard. The software will even help you track labor costs.

Set up alerts for when workers miss a clock-in or are close to hitting overtime. Your staff will get updates as well when schedules are released. They’ll also be alerted with reminders for their shifts.

In addition to the scheduling features, Homebase has a time clock feature and timesheets for payroll. Let your staff clock-in from any device, including your POS (point of sale) system.

Here’s a brief overview of the plans and pricing for Homebase employee scheduling:

Basic — Free

  • Unlimited employees
  • Online scheduling
  • Time clocks, breaks, and overtime
  • Prepare timesheets for payroll
  • Employee availability preferences and time-off requests
  • Team communication messenger

Essentials — $16 per month per location

  • Advanced scheduling
  • Auto scheduling
  • Late employee alerts
  • Availability approvals
  • Personal notes with shifts
  • Automated reminders to employees
  • Employee performance tracking

Plus — $40 per month per location

  • Sales forecasts and labor targets
  • Overtime alerts
  • GPS and photos
  • Prevent early clock-ins
  • Custom break and overtime settings
  • Time-off restrictions
  • PTO policies

All of the monthly rates are under the assumption that you sign up for an annual contract. Homebase does offer month-to-month plans for 20% more.

The Homebase mobile app is another reason why this scheduling software ranks so high on our list. It’s free to use for you and your staff. So everyone can view and manage their schedules on the go.

Humanity

Humanity

Humanity is one of the most popular employee scheduling platforms on the market today. It’s used by big companies like Microsoft, Kaiser Permanente, Nike, Yelp, Safeway, and Squarespace.

I’d recommend Humanity to businesses operating in industries with tight margins. This software gives you the capability to optimize your schedules in the most cost-effective way.

Use Humanity to ensure local, state, and Federal compliance in terms of labor laws for things like break frequency, hours worked, and time between shifts.

Humanity has an auto-scheduling feature that will optimize shifts by applying variables related to seniority and employee preferences.

One standout feature of Humanity is the ability for employees to trade shifts. Assuming the trade falls within your predefined rules, these requests can be automatically approved with limited supervisor involvement.

The Humanity mobile app makes it easy for you and your staff to manage shift needs in real-time. Managers can post open shifts for pickup and quickly find replacements for any absences.

Humanity integrates with top HCM software like Namely, BambooHR, ADP, and Workday.

Pricing for Humanity is very straightforward. There are two plans at the following annual rates:

  • Starter — $3 per month per user ($80 minimum)
  • Classic — $4 per month per user ($80 minimum)

You can also sign up for Humanity on a month-to-month basis. Those rates are $3.50 and $5 per user, respectively. But the short-term plans are subject to a $100 monthly minimum.

The Starter package comes with everything you need to manage employee scheduling. But for an extra $1 per month, the Classic plan comes with advanced features like:

  • Auto scheduling
  • Real-time labor and budgeting
  • Compliance
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Time and attendance
  • Geolocation clock-ins and clock-outs
  • Secure messaging

Overall, Humanity has everything you could need or ask for in an employee scheduling tool.

TSheets

TSheets

TSheets is run by QuickBooks, which ranks first on our list of the best small business accounting software. Just like QuickBooks, TSheets is a high-quality choice for employee scheduling from a reputable brand.

As the name employees, TSheets was made for employee time-tracking.

It’s a mobile timesheet where employees can clock-in and clock-out from anywhere. The app uses real-time GPS capabilities to hold your staff accountable for the hours they’re working. This is perfect for those of you who have a mobile workforce.

Employers only have access to GPS data when staff is on the clock, so it gives your workers the privacy and respect that they deserve.

In addition to the time-tracking features, TSheets also has exceptional tools for employee scheduling. It’s easy to create and assign shifts from your computer or smartphone with the drag-and-drop scheduler. You can also repeat schedules with one click.

TSheets allows you to schedule workers by the job as well. Create a new job by adding information for the day, time, and client. Then simply assign as many workers as you need to that job.

Employees will receive alerts for shift changes and job assignments. Everyone will have access to information from the intuitive TSheets mobile app.

Here’s a brief overview of the plans and pricing for TSheets:

Premium

  • $8 per user per month
  • $20 base fee per month
  • Free mobile app with GPS
  • Real-time reports
  • Alerts and notifications
  • Photo attachments
  • Time clock with facial recognition

Elite

  • $10 per month per user
  • $40 base fee
  • Project estimates vs. actuals reporting
  • Activity feed and messaging
  • Timesheet signatures
  • Geofencing

Both of these plans are available free with a 14-day trial.

TSheets integrates with other platforms like QuickBooks, Expensify, Gusto, Xero, Sage, Square, and more. This will help simplify your accounting process as well.

7shifts

7shifts

7shifts is an industry-specific solution. It’s an employee scheduling software designed for restaurants. More than 250,000 restaurants across the world use 7shifts.

With this software, you’ll be able to save time and reduce costs. Both of these are crucial to operating a restaurant at profitable margins.

Like most employee scheduling software we’ve seen, 7shifts has a drag-and-drop builder that makes creating schedules a breeze. The tool helps you factor in overtime, employee availability, and regional labor laws.

Your staff can access schedules via email or mobile app.

7shifts has built-in employee communication tools. There are group chats, direct messaging, announcements, and shift feedback features.

You’ll also have access to a weekly labor and budget tool, detailed reports, intuitive dashboard, and POS integration. All of this helps you manage your payroll system and bookkeeping as well.

7shifts is ideal for restaurants, both large and small. With multi-location support, you can manage employee scheduling at each place.

Let’s take a quick look at the plans and prices for 7shifts.

Appetizer — $19.99 per month per location ($215.88 billed annually)

  • Unlimited scheduling
  • Time clocking
  • Notifications
  • Time off requests and availability
  • Free mobile app

Entree — $43.99 per month per location ($479.88 billed annually)

  • Scheduling templates
  • Labor budget tool
  • Robust reporting

The Works — $76.99 per month per location ($839.88 billed annually)

  • Local labor compliance
  • Manager log book
  • Optimal labor tool (to predict staffing needs)
  • Shift feedback

Gourmet — $150 per month per location ($1,620 billed annually)

  • Enterprise-grade operational performance view
  • Auto scheduling
  • Integrated task management
  • Support and integration for POS

7shifts also offers a handful of optional add-ons:

  • Location overview — $5 per month per location
  • Task management — $12.99 per month per location
  • Sales data import — $100 one-time fee
  • Account setup — $150 one-time fee

Smaller restaurants can benefit from 7shifts’ free forever plan. You can have all of the basic scheduling features for one location and up to ten employees.

Paycor Scheduling

Paycor Scheduling

Formally Ximble, Paycor Scheduling is the perfect solution for optimizing the efficiency of your schedule. Managers can quickly go through the scheduling process while making optimal decisions for the business.

All of your staff will have clear visibility of their schedules in advance, so everyone stays well informed.

Paycor lets you create templates for faster scheduling. Just drag and drop employees to assign shifts in a few clicks. You can even automate how and when your staff goes on break to ensure that you’re fully covered at all times.

Your employees can proactively set day and time availability in advance. So you’ll be able to schedule around their needs and preferences.

Paycor Scheduling also has detailed reporting and analysis. This will provide you with details associated with the costs of overstaffing or understaffing.

Industries that can benefit from Paycor Scheduling include:

  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Nonprofit
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional services
  • Retail

Paycor also provides additional products for recruiting, employee onboarding, HR, time and attendance, payroll, taxes, and learning management.

The company offers two different employee scheduling products; Paycor Scheduling and Paycor Scheduling Pro.

No prices for either are listed online. You’ll have to fill out a form answering some questions about your business to get a custom quote from a representative. This adds an extra step to the process, but it’s worth it for those of you who want a custom solution.

When I Work

When I work

More than 100,000 businesses across 50+ countries use When I Work for employee scheduling. This translates to over one million employees being scheduled on this software.

From small brands to large organizations like Dunkin Donuts, Ben & Jerry’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Jamba Juice, Massage Envy, and Verizon, When I Work is a top choice to consider.

Top features of When I Work include:

  • One-click scheduling
  • Shift coverage confirmation and notification
  • Schedule sharing
  • Labor forecasting
  • Overtime control
  • Schedule enforcement
  • Labor reports
  • Payroll integration

Compared to some of the other employee scheduling software we’ve covered, When I Work has one unique standout—its price.

When I Work has an exceptional free plan, and even the paid software is inexpensive.

Free — $0

  • One location and up to 75 users
  • Team scheduling
  • Team availability
  • Team messaging
  • Shift trading
  • Time off requests

Basic — $2 per user per month

  • Schedule templates
  • Multi-location support
  • Job sites
  • Overtime visibility

Pro — $2.50 per user per month

  • Auto scheduling
  • Labor forecasting
  • Shift and team tasks
  • Shift bidding

You can add-on time clocking and attendance to any plan for $2 per month per user.

Deputy

Deputy

Deputy is another well-known and trusted employee scheduling solution. It’s used in 200,000+ workplaces worldwide, including places like Amazon, Nike, NASA, Peleton, and Ace Hardware.

Let’s take a look at some of the top features of Deputy:

  • Auto scheduling
  • Break planning
  • Free mobile app
  • Schedule by skillset and qualifications
  • Cover leaves and unavailability
  • Manage overtime and fatigue
  • Monitor attendance
  • Legal compliance
  • Shift swapping

I’d recommend Deputy to larger businesses with multiple locations. It’s a top solution for managing employees that work across multiple job sites as well.

Some industries that Deputy commonly works with include healthcare, hotels, hospitality, entertainment, logistics, manufacturing, and retail.

Despite Deputy’s robust features and popularity, the software is surprisingly affordable.

Employee scheduling software starts at just $2.50 per month per employee. This is billed on a month-to-month basis. If you want to combine employee scheduling with timesheets and attendance, it’s $4.50 per month per user. Save up to 11% with an annual contract for the combo package. Deputy offers special prices for charities, nonprofits, and community organizations that meet special criteria.

You can try Deputy today by signing up for a free trial. No credit card required.

Shiftboard

Shiftboard

Shiftboard software has tons of features designed for optimizing your employee scheduling process. It has everything you need to keep managers running smoothly while providing your staff with the right information to do their jobs well.

With Shiftboard, you can easily assign the best and most qualified workers to specific shifts.

Improve your schedule communication and make last-minute changes when certain situations arise.

Shiftboard helps you enhance efficiencies by reducing overtime costs, forecasting demands, and automatically assigning workers to specific shifts. You’ll also have the ability to post open shifts for pickup and send group notifications to your team.

Another benefit of Shiftboard is the compliance rules. This will help you eliminate errors for things like labor contracts, seniority rules, mandatory rest periods, and employee credentials.

For example, an employee with expired credentials would automatically be blocked from the schedule.

The Shiftboard mobile app is easy for anyone to use. You and your managerial staff can manage everything on the backend while your employees can benefit from scheduling and alerts in real-time. Set up open shift trading or require approval from supervisors for trade requests.

Shiftboard plans start at $3 per month per user. There are three options for you to choose from:

  • Basic
  • Professional
  • Enterprise

Unfortunately, the pricing details for each plan are not specified online. You’ll need to request a  demo based on the needs of your organization to get an accurate quote.

CakeHR

CakeHR

CakeHR is a bit unique compared to the other options on our list. That’s because it’s a full-service HR software.

In addition to employee scheduling, CakeHR has solutions for:

  • Timesheets
  • Performance
  • Leave management
  • Expenses
  • Recruitment

Onboarding your employees and automating the HR process is simple. CakeHR provides tons of employee self-service tools and solutions.

Some of the top employee scheduling features include:

  • Interactive shift planning
  • Single site and multi-location support
  • Dedicated shift managers
  • Employee availability management
  • Mobile app access
  • Pre-defined shift templates
  • Daily, weekly, and monthly reports

Pricing for CakeHR is a bit different as well. Simply select the services you want, enter the number of active employees you have, and choose between monthly or yearly billing.

Your custom rate based on these features will automatically appear on the screen. So you don’t need to wait for a CakeHR sales rep to get back to you with a quote.

To give you some perspective on the price point, shift scheduling for 20 employees would cost $50 per month with an annual contract. Adding timesheets would bring that rate to $80.

How to Choose the Best Employee Scheduling Software For Your Business

With such an extensive list of options to choose from, finding the best employee scheduling software for your business can seem like a tall task. Fortunately, we have a methodology that you can use to narrow your search.

Business Size

The number of employees you have and the number of locations will have a strong impact on your decision. A company with ten employees at one store will have different needs than a business with 100 employees across six locations.

Industry

There are industry-specific solutions in the employee scheduling software market.

For example, if you own a restaurant business, 7shifts will be the best choice for you. Restaurant managers and owners have different scheduling needs than office jobs in the corporate world.

Mobile Access

The best employee scheduling solutions should come with a free mobile app.

You want to make sure the app has admin features for managing schedules, as well as employee features for viewing schedules and making requests. The best apps include alerts for both staff and managers.

For example, an employee could be notified about a shift change or shift opening. But a manager would get notified if someone is approaching overtime or didn’t clock-in for their shift.

Time Tracking

Most employee scheduling solutions include time-tracking tools as well. Since the two go hand-in-hand, it makes sense to get both from the same provider.

Some software has all-inclusive features for both scheduling and time clocks, whereas others offer time tracking as an add-on.

Price

Obviously, employee scheduling software is supposed to make your life easier. It’s supposed to improve operational efficiencies and reduce labor costs. But make sure you find a solution that fits within your budget.

Each software has a different pricing structure. There are lots of options that charge a monthly rate based on how many employees you have. Some of those are subject to monthly minimums.

Some solutions offer tiered pricing, while others have unlimited employees for each plan.

If you’re a smaller organization with basic scheduling needs, you can even benefit from free employee scheduling software.

Conclusion

Here’s a quick recap of the best employee scheduling software on our list:

  • Homebase — Best overall employee scheduling software.
  • Humanity — Best for shift trading and filling openings in real-time.
  • TSheets — Best for time-tracking and accounting integration.
  • 7shifts — Best employee scheduling software for restaurants.
  • Paycor Scheduling — Customized solutions for employee scheduling software.
  • When I Work — Best free employee scheduling software.
  • Deputy — Best for scheduling employees working at multiple locations.
  • Shiftboard — Custom solution for managing hourly workers.
  • CakeHR — Full-service HR software with employee scheduling.

Based on this guide, I’m confident that you can find what you’re looking for. No matter what type of business you have or what industry you’re in, there’s an option for you above.



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