Small businesses in Kenya are increasingly turning to online business apps to help them manage their operations. The apps are easy to use and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Here are seven of the most popular online business apps in Kenya.
Reasons to Use Online Business Apps in Kenya
But before that, let us look at some of the reasons why you may consider these apps for your business.
a). Increased productivity
Small businesses in Kenya have been using technology to remain competitive for years.
From desktop publishing to online banking, business owners have found that technology can save them time and money.
Today, there are a number of online business applications that can help small businesses increase their productivity.
One such application is Google Apps.
Google Apps allows users to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online. This application is perfect for businesses that need to collaborate with employees or customers.
With Google Apps, employees can work on projects from any location and customers can access information from anywhere in the world.
b). Increased collaboration
Online business applications have revolutionized the way businesses operate.
By allowing employees to connect and collaborate from anywhere in the world, online business apps have facilitated increased communication and productivity.
In a survey of 500 small business owners, nearly 60 percent of respondents said that online tools had increased collaboration within their organization.
The ability to connect with co-workers online has eliminated the need for face-to-face meetings, which can be costly and time-consuming.
At the same time, online tools allow employees to easily share ideas and documents, which can speed up the decision-making process.
Moreover, with employees able to work from home or on the go, businesses can save money on office space and equipment.
While there are many different types of online business applications, all share one common goal: to improve communication and collaboration.
c). Increased security
No doubt, small businesses in Kenya are always looking for ways to increase their security.
Turns out, one way to do this is by using online business apps in Kenya.
You see, online business apps help to increase security by providing a secure connection between the user and the app. This helps to keep sensitive information safe and protected.
In addition, online business apps are often updated with the latest security features, which helps to keep your data safe from hackers and other threats.
d). Reduced costs
Here’s something else:
The use of online business apps in Kenya is a great way to reduce your company’s overhead costs.
By using cloud-based software, for example, you can eliminate the need for expensive hardware and software licenses.
You can also reduce your travel expenses by using online meeting tools.
And, best of all, you can get started for free or at a fraction of the cost of traditional software applications.
I mean, the benefits of using online business apps in Kenya are clear:
Increased efficiency, lower costs, and improved communication. These benefits can help your company become more competitive and profitable.
So why not give them a try?
1). Paypal
If you run an international business from Kenya, this is a must-have app.
The online payment system, Paypal, is a convenient way to handle money transactions for people running an online business in Kenya.
It allows customers to pay for goods and services with a credit card or bank account.
The company also offers a PayPal debit card which can be used like a regular debit card. This system is secure because it uses encryption to protect personal information.
2). M-Pesa
You must know more about this app/service than anyone else.
But just in case you’ve been living under a rock (sorry ?)… here’s a refresher.
M-Pesa is a mobile phone-based money transfer, financing, and microfinancing service, launched in 2007 by Vodafone for Safaricom and Vodacom, the largest mobile network operators in Kenya and Tanzania.
M-Pesa allows users to deposit, withdraw, and transfer money through their phones. It is also used to pay for goods and services both online and offline. M-Pesa has been adopted as a form of payment by a number of small businesses in Africa.
With this service, you can start selling anything online in Kenya and receive payment instantly!
All you need to do is create a website and integrate M-PESA as your preferred payment system.
3). Uber
Uber is a technology company that uses mobile applications and web platforms to connect riders with drivers for hire.
This app allows riders to request a ride from their smartphone and track the arrival of their driver in real-time. Riders can also pay for their ride with their smartphone. Drivers use the Uber app to find passengers and receive trip requests.
Additionally, drivers are not required to have a commercial driver’s license, but they must pass a criminal background check and have an acceptable driving record.
So, what’s in it for you as a business owner in Kenya?
Well, how about moving around town more easily and faster? And stop showing up to interviews later, you know what am talking about?.
Additionally, you can get into this app and register as a driver. That’s your one way to make some extra cash on the side.
4). Airbnb
Here’s another one of the popular online business apps in Kenya.
Airbnb is a web-based business that connects people who need a place to stay with people who need to rent out extra space.
It’s a great way for people to make extra money online in Kenya, and it’s also a convenient way for people to find a place to stay when they’re traveling.
Airbnb has been growing in popularity over the past few years, and it’s now one of the most popular online businesses.
With this service, you can easily turn that spare room into an income-generating venture with a click of a button.
5). Google Maps
Even Google Maps??
Ah yes!
See, Google Maps is a key component for businesses with an online presence in Kenya.
It provides an easy way for customers to find your business and get directions.
Additionally, Google Maps can help you track customer behavior and measure the success of your online marketing campaigns.
In fact, if you don’t have a Google My Business Profile, you are leaving a lot of money on the table.
6). Facebook Pages
If you own a couple of Facebook pages in Kenya, you going to love this app.
Facebook pages provide an important role in running an online business. They are a valuable way to connect with customers and keep them updated on products or services.
Additionally, they can help promote sales and create brand awareness.
See, pages should be regularly updated with fresh content, such as photos, videos, and blog posts. They can also be used to run contests and giveaways.
Customers can Like the page to receive updates in their news feed, and they can also share posts with their friends.
And pages offer a great way to connect with customers and keep them informed about your business.
7). LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a social media platform that allows users to connect with other professionals and businesses.
Do you know what that means?
You can use LinkedIn in Kenya to find new customers, promote products and services, and network with other professionals.
LinkedIn also allows businesses to create a profile page that can be used to promote their business.
And that is why LinkedIn is a great tool for businesses of all sizes.
8). Trello
If you run a team, this is one of the best online business apps in Kenya for you.
Trello is a web-based project management application originally made by Fog Creek Software in 2011. It was spun off as its own company in 2014 and acquired by Atlassian in January 2017.
So, what is the role of Trello in running an online business in Kenya?
Well, this app allows you to create boards with cards that have checklists, due dates, attachments, and more.
You can invite people to collaborate on your boards with you, making it great for team projects.
Plus, there are a ton of integrations with other applications that can make your workflow even smoother.
9). Evernote
If you are like most business owners in Kenya, you’re always looking for ways to be more productive and organized.
Chances are, you’ve already heard of Evernote – a cloud-based note taking and organizing application that can help you do just that.
Here are a few ways Evernote can help you run your online business in Kenya:
- Keep track of your ideas. When it comes to online businesses, ideas are key. With Evernote, you can easily keep track of all your great ideas – both big and small.
- Organize your to-do list. Trying to keep track of a lengthy to-do list can be difficult, but with Evernote it’s easy. You can create individual notebooks for each project and then add tasks as needed.
- Store important documents securely.
10). Skype
Skype is a VoIP app that lets you make voice and video calls to other Skype users for free, or to landlines and mobiles at low rates. It also provides conference calling, chat, and file sharing. Skype is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.
The role of Skype in running an online business in Kenya cannot be overemphasized.
Skype helps businesses to keep in touch with their clients, partners, and employees easily and at a low cost.
The app offers features such as voice and video calling, chat, and file sharing that help businesses in Kenya run their operations more smoothly.
In addition, Skype also has a conference call feature that allows businesses to host online meetings with multiple people.
Yes, Skype works great, but I often find myself using Google Hangout more. It is smooth and doesn’t lag a lot.
You can also try Zoom.
11). WhatsApp Business
How can we miss mentioning WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is a popular messaging app with over 1.5 billion users. In addition to personal messaging, WhatsApp has added a business app that allows businesses to communicate with their customers.
The app has several features that are helpful for businesses. One feature is the ability to create a profile for your business. This includes adding your business name, description, website, and contact information. You can also add images and stickers to your profile.
Another feature of the WhatsApp Business app is the ability to create messages for customers.
You can create messages for general announcements, special offers, or questions about your product or service. You can also create messages that are specific to each customer by including their name and contact information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a number of online business applications that are gaining popularity in Kenya.
These apps offer a variety of features that can help entrepreneurs run their businesses more effectively.
If you are looking for an online business app to help you grow your business in Kenya, these seven apps are worth considering.