Starting a small business feels like stepping onto a rollercoaster—there’s excitement, nerves, maybe a bit of that “What am I even doing?” feeling. One thing that can trip up even the most passionate founder is picking out which software to trust with your new company’s day-to-day work. You want tools that help, not ones that make you want to toss your laptop out the window.

Figuring Out What You Really Need

Let’s skip the buzzwords for a second. Picture a normal workday: Are you sending out a ton of invoices? Scheduling deliveries? Maybe you’re wrangling a small fleet and need something more heavy-duty, like solid fleet maintenance software. Before you even peek at reviews, just jot down the stuff you must have, the stuff that’d be nice, and the stuff you absolutely do not care about.

If you get stuck, tap a friend who’s been around the block with small business management. Or browse NerdWallet’s guide to small business software for a no-nonsense rundown that’s easy to actually understand.

Keep It Simple (Seriously)

It’s tempting to get wowed by an app that promises to organize your life, order your lunch, and maybe even babysit your kids. But real talk: the best tools are the ones you and your team don’t hate using every day. If it takes two weeks just to figure out how to send a receipt, it’s not the one. Always try the free trials and press every button you can—don’t just take the sales page’s word for it.

Growing soon? Peek into the future and make sure your software isn’t going to force you to relearn everything as soon as you start landing more clients.

Money Talk—Find the Real Value

Small business budgets are usually tight, so it makes sense to watch every dollar. It’s totally possible to find good free or budget-friendly tools, but don’t lock yourself into something if it means you’re fighting with it every single week. Compare what’s included. Unlimited invoices? Human customer support instead of a bot? Make sure you weigh all of the options.

Don’t Mess Around with Security

Maybe you think you’re too small for hackers to care about (spoiler: you’re not). Look for features like secure logins and automatic backups—boring, yes, but a lifesaver. Losing your data is the stuff of small business nightmares.

Involve Your Crew

If you have a team, bring them in early. Let them use the demo version and ask what they think. Usually, someone will spot a frustration before it has a chance to become a real problem. Sometimes they’ll even come up with a smarter way to use the software than you expected.

Don’t overthink it—just get clear on what’ll move the needle for your business and what’s just fluff. Ask people you trust, click around a bunch, and don’t be afraid to switch if something feels off. With a little planning, you’ll have software that supports your goals instead of dragging them down.