Four Best Apps for Android Based Mobile Entrepreneurs

As a modern entrepreneur, you aren’t limited by office space. After all, why should you be when new technology makes it easy to do business with anyone from anywhere?

Regardless of what line of business you’re in, taking notes, sharing documents, and keeping a tab on social networks are an absolute necessity.

The good news? There are apps for all of that.

And to make sure business couldn’t run smoother, we’ve compiled the four best apps for mobile entrepreneurs. Each is available for download onto any Android-powered smartphone (I personally use the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S).

Dropbox

This is one of those apps you just can’t do business without. Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring your important photos, documents, and videos anywhere by syncing them with all your electronic devices. Save a file to Dropbox from your work computer and open it from the Dropbox app on your smartphone, tablet, home computer, or anywhere else Dropbox is installed or downloaded.

The Dropbox Android app allows you to take everything that matters with you on the go. Read your documents or flip through your albums when you’re out. Share saved photos and videos with coworkers and clients in just a few taps. And because your files are stored with Dropbox, your stuff is always safe and accessible online, even if you accidentally lose your phone.

Evernote

The Evernote app is an indispensable part of the mobile entrepreneur’s productivity toolbox. While it can be initially intimidating, this easy-to-use program allows for everything from typing notes to receiving forwarded emails to storing scanned papers and other images, videos, and documents.

Like Dropbox, these files are available anywhere Evernote is, including any Android smartphone. To get the most out of your Evernote experience, download it on every computer, tablet, and phone you use, making every electronic device as good as home base. Just to give you an idea of Evernote’s practicality, here are some ways the creators suggest this app can be used in your personal and professional life: 


• Research smarter: snap photos of whiteboards and books

• Take meeting and class notes, draft agendas and research notes


• Plan a trip: keep track of travel plans, plane tickets and passports


• Organize and save recipes

• Create a grocery list or task list and check things off as you go


• View web pages saved in Evernote on your desktop


• Capture ideas and inspiration on the go


• Access files and notes you create on your phone from your desktop


• Keep track of products and prices for comparison-shopping purposes


• Keep finances in order: save receipts, bills and contracts


• Reduce paper clutter by taking snapshots of restaurant menus, business cards and labels



Hootsuite

HootSuite for Android is the perfect app for an entrepreneur because it serves as a central hub for social media platforms that need constant monitoring. A mobile adaptation of the full, online Hootsuite experience, the app leaves none of your favorite features out. Not only does it allow you to manage personal Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Foursquare accounts from one place, it also supports multiple accounts on each platform, enabling you to keep track of what’s happening on the interwebs both personally and professionally.

Schedule Twitter posts, check in on Foursquare, view LinkedIn connections, and comment on Facebook posts from one place. The Hootsuite app even allows you to upload photos, receive notifications, and view click stats. Trust us, this is a must-have.

SignMyPad

For mobile entrepreneurs, access to a printer and scanner can be limited. Good thing SignMyPad has a paperless solution for forms and contracts. Open a PDF file on your Android phone or tablet, and SignMyPad lets you sign it, save it, and send it without ever printing it out, all but eliminating the need for scanning, faxing, and wasting paper.

This has to be one of the most useful apps to have on hand, just in case, and it comes in particularly handy for anyone working in real estate, law, finance, or other fields that often require signed documents.

About the Author

Roger Forte holds an MBA in accounting and has been working with small businesses (and their tax matters) for over 35 years. Mr. Forte is a consultant with Speedy Incorporation and LLC, advising on incorporation and LLC formations. He also serves as the lead blogger on all things relating to accounting for small business on the Speedy Small Business Blog.