We are always working tirelessly to improve the initial user experience for all our prospective clients and take our trial site to a whole new level. Having put so much effort into creating the best possible experience, we want every person to get the most out of their 14-day free trial period. This 8-minute read will guide you through 8 steps that will lead to the most optimal experience and hopefully much clearer mind in the decision phase.
Every business can be improved, and there are so many ways to implement change. There is an extensive selection of various business management software, from very basic to much more comprehensive solutions, created to support you in improving your business. However, the decision of which software would be the perfect fit for your company doesn’t come easy. The choosing process is often time-consuming and involves more than one decision-maker. Furthermore, any decision and ultimately every change will require time and patience.
Another important aspect that can’t be overlooked when considering which software to choose is money. And even if the initial cost of any software can be daunting, money should not be the main reason to choose one software over all others. Because at the end of the day the most expensive software is the one you don’t use. Therefore, you will get the most out of any software when you invest your time in learning to use it… and use it the correct way.
One of the best ways to find out which software will work best for your business is to sign up for a free trial. Most business management software providers offer you the chance to use their product without any cost for a limited period of time. Most often the trial period will last for either 14 or 30 days. And even if it seems like a long time, it is crucial to use this time to really figure out whether this is the best option for your business.
To help you get the most out of your time in the trial phase, we have gathered and outlined below 8 simple steps you can follow.
1. Give yourself the time to learn
You have spent a lot of time shortlisting different business management software. It is equally important to take the time and try them out. The quickest and easiest way to understand what any software is capable of is to watch videos. Most software providers have a database of videos varying in size and content. Videos are also handy because they don’t cost you any money, you can share them with others and go back to them as many times as you need.
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Scoro has a great video tutorial database with an option to choose from more than 20 different videos. The best ones to start with are the “bite-size” videos that are compendious and give you a quick overview of what our software can do and whether it would be a good fit for your business. Go check out Scoro’s video library here.
2. Get the initial experience
After having some understanding of how software could improve your business management processes, it is the right time to move on to the trial phase. However, before you commit to a trial, determine whether you have enough time to give software a fair chance. This way you will avoid the recurring situation where you sign up only to use it once and then forget about it. Once you have started your trial, take the time to get the feel of the product. Look around and test out as many features as possible before going into too many specifics about your own business needs.
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Some software is much more comprehensive than you initially thought your business might need. Scoro is an end-to-end business management software; thus the trial site will also give you the chance to test out a lot of features. To make sure you won’t feel too overwhelmed, we have created walk-through tours for every page to get you started immediately and to give you an overview of all of its features.
3. Include more people into the decision process
Considering that every change will affect your team, it is crucial to make the right decision. Thus, it might be a great idea to include more members of your team already in the trial phase. Include people from different positions, as they are the prime users of the product in the future. Based on their expertise they can have valuable insight into the specific needs of their team, making it easier for you to make the right decision straight away.
4. Focus more on your business needs
Once you have had the time to get a feel of the software, and have a better understanding of its capabilities, start focusing on your business needs. Now is the right time to really test out all of the features and go deeper into the trial phase. Give yourself enough time to customize and test it within the scope of your business specifics. The more you try it out in a trial phase, the easier it is once you move on to the onboarding phase.
Read on: 12 Quick Tips to Get More Out of Scoro (Beginner Level)
5. Remember that every business is unique
One of the biggest challenges any software provider runs into is the fact that they can’t cater to every business in the world. Every company is unique and has their own specific needs. The trial site is often created to offer the most optimal experience for as many businesses as possible. However, certain features won’t be available from the get-go. Keep these things in mind during the trial and don’t be too quick to write off a software before finding out whether you have had the chance to test out every feature. Which will bring us to the next point.
Everything about your business, one click away
6. Write down all your questions
You will eventually run into different questions – whether about the product itself or closer to your own business needs. Rather than spending too much time trying to find all the answers by yourself, gather every question you might have. Write them down and keep them in hand when signing up for a demo.
Read on: Top 20 Questions We Get Asked About Scoro
7. Ask your questions in a demo
There are a lot of people who choose to forgo the initial trial experience and book a demo straightaway. Naturally, demo has a lot of benefits, such as having trained consultant explain and introduce the software to you. Furthermore, it is often less of a time commitment from your part. However, the drawback of only having a demo – you might not know the right questions to ask. While the consultant knows everything about the software, then you are the only one who knows all the specifics of your business. When you have had the chance to test out the product and know all the right questions to ask, the consultant will be much quicker to help you have an answer whether this is the right software for you.
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Instead of waiting until the end of your trial period, book a demo during those 14 days. This way you can ask all your questions immediately and continue to test out the software after the demo. In Scoro, once you have booked a demo, you will also be assigned to a specific consultant who will make sure to help you out with anything you might need.
8. Benefit from the onboarding
Eventually, you will have an idea which business management software to opt for. Now comes the tricky part of getting your whole team onboard with this new software. This is the reason why the entire onboarding process should not be taken for granted. Onboarding specialists are there to guide you through every obstacle you might face. They have invaluable insight into different use cases and know how you can most benefit from using their software.
Read on: Change Management Tips to Get Your Team Onboard with New Software
Key takeaways:
- Bite-size videos are there to make your decision easier – use them.
- Make the most out of your trial. Use these two weeks to test out the software because this will make it easier for you to decide which business management software to choose.
- Include other team members from the beginning. They might have valuable insight and make the decision process easier. This way it is easier to implement change as well.
- Book a demo before your trial period ends so you can ask your questions and then continue to try out the software by yourself.
Feel inspired? Get started with your free 14-day trial now and find out how Scoro can improve your business.
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