An employee communications app helps a workplace run smoothly. With all its features, such as message boards and file sharing, getting on with normal workday operations is never easier.
It’s not enough to choose the first communications app that you come across, though – there are things you need to consider first. Otherwise, you might end up overpaying for a platform that you don’t need or getting one that doesn’t meet all your companies’ requirements. To make sure you find the perfect fit, here’s what to consider when choosing an employee communications app.
What Are Your Needs?
The obvious first step is understanding what your needs are. Do you need a place to communicate with all employees? Do you want the app to include weighty file-sharing abilities? By knowing what you are after, you can ensure the app you choose is the right one for you.
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How Easy is it to Use?
You want to avoid apps that are over-complicated to use. Even if they have all the features you want, if your employees can’t get used to its interface, it won’t be a success. See if you can test the app beforehand, or look on the app’s website to see if there’s a video on navigation. The simpler it is to navigate, the quicker your company will adapt to using it. That is especially important if you have tech-phobic staff members on the team. Older generations tend to struggle more when adapting to newer technology, including apps, so you want to make it as simple on them as possible. An easy-to-use interface works wonders here.
How Much Does the App Cost?
Cost is a consideration with any purchase and investment. You need to think about how much the company can realistically spend on the app. It’s important to also take into account how much money it will save you down the line too. If the app is successful in the company, it could save many employees a great deal of time, ensuring more time and effort is put into other important tasks.
What Are its Features?
Not all apps have the same features, so when choosing a communications app for the workplace, be sure to check what it has to offer. Some features may you want include:
- Instant Messaging
- File Sharing
- A Newsfeed
- Audio Conferencing
- Screen Sharing
Make a list of the features you want out of an app, as then you will have something to compare against when looking at different platforms.
Is it Available on a Desktop?
A mobile app is for mobile, of course, but many of them also work on a desktop. It is a desirable feature, as it means you don’t have to use a separate platform while at your desk computer – everything syncs up. It might not be an absolute dealbreaker, but it’s something to look out for.
How Many Employees Will Use it?
Next, consider how many employees you have and how many will use it. Ideally, all of your staff members will get on board with the communications app, as that is how it’s supposed to work. If only half of the team uses it, then it doesn’t provide all of its benefits, like people-searching and sending messages to everyone. Consider how many people are in the team, too. If you are a small company, you might not need an app that caters to huge organizations.
How Much Customer Support is Provided?
Don’t forget to check how much customer support the app provides. When something inevitably stimies you or goes wrong, you want to know the app company has your back and will fix things instantly. Otherwise, you may end up with a platform you can’t use. Ideally, you will receive speedy support from a real-life person as soon as you run into a problem, whether that’s trouble using the interface or a loss of information.
Will it Integrate with Other Platforms?
The chances are you already use some software to collaborate with your teams. When choosing an employee communications app, you need to consider whether it will integrate smoothly. You don’t want several platforms working against each other, as that will only slow the workday down and frustrate employees.
What Smartphone Does Your Team Use?
What about the smartphone the team uses? That will influence what type of app you can get, as some apps are only for Apple users. You might find that some apps work better on certain smartphones, too, so consider that when making your decision.
How Secure is the App?
The last thing you want is an app that isn’t secure, as you might end up with data lost or stolen. For many companies, this could prove debilitating. So, check out the security the app provides, and make sure it’s enough to keep yours, your staff’s, and the company’s data well protected.
The Benefits of an Employee Communications App
If you are still on the fence about getting a communication app for the team, especially with everything you have to consider, you should also know all of the benefits. The right app will transform your team’s flow, allowing fluid and smooth-sailing workday even in the face of challenges. Just some of the benefits of using a communications app in the workplace are:
- Communicate with Everyone at Once
It’s not always easy for staff members to communicate with the entire team/company in one go. With rushed meetings, hybrid working, and multiple workplaces, you might not be able to schedule a meeting with everyone present. With a communications app, you can address everyone in one go quickly and easily.
- It Makes Finding People Easier
A benefit for large corporations is that you can use the app to locate members of staff. If someone needs to reach out to an HR manager, team leader, or anyone from a different department than their own, they can use a search bar on the app to do so.
- Keep Up with Non-Desk Employees
Not everyone works in-office these days. To keep non-desk employees in the know, a communications app is best. Moreover, if you combine it with a good noise gator software, it can help make the communication process smooth and more productive. It means they know all the goings-on of the company, from the next team meeting to project deadlines.
- Schedule Meetings and Events
A communications app also makes it easy to schedule meetings and events with other employees. That is a big deal, as finding an alignment in the schedule is not always easy!
- Track Staff Engagement
For leaders and managers, an employee communications app is greatly beneficial due to its ability to track staff engagement. The more you know about how engaged employees are, the better you can adapt to create an employee-focused work environment.
- Stay Connected
Best of all, employee communication apps help teams stay connected. One employee could be travelling the world, another in the office, and another working from home – it doesn’t matter. With an app that allows you to message, post, comment, and call from anywhere, every single member of staff can stay in touch with the company.
With all of these benefits, make sure you take the time to find the best communications app for the company, and you will see engagement and productivity levels rise.
