Your small but growing business must prepare for progress by adapting the right tools. Spreadsheets may serve your needs now for data crunching, but you must consider replacing them with databases for small businesses to serve your present and future needs better.
Centralized systems can help in keeping track of all the data that’s flowing in from various sources. Advanced database systems can help you better manage all your business-critical data centrally, safely, and securely. It can also streamline all your HR tasks and automate routine jobs. Data processing can be performed in a much shorter period than before.
Databases can also help in customer relationship management. CRM databases are designed to store and process all the vital specifics about customers, including contact details, interaction history, and accounts. You can even track marketing campaign outcomes with advanced CRMs.
Also, other benefits of using databases for small businesses are inventory tracking, growth planning, and business development. So, by choosing databases with reporting capabilities, you can anticipate customer needs and customize your offerings to boost the chances of marketing success.
Here’s a well-researched list of the top database systems for your small business.
Zoho Creator
This low-code application development software platform helps small business digitize their operations smoothly and quickly. Zoho Creator offers powerful data collection and data management tools. It is also effective for analysis, reporting, and collaboration. Moreover, small and large businesses can run their online enterprise without spending extra on software or infrastructure.
Zoho Creator is user-friendly and can be handled even by those who are not tech-savvy. The system takes care of security, uptime, and backup. Apps created on this system are ready with no mobile-specific development needed. Additionally, other key features include:
- Flexible and agile process
- There are no complex moves to deal with
- Workflow and business rules can be managed on the web
- Offers a secure database hosting
Trello
Trello is the perfect database for small businesses. It is a visual collaboration tool that develops a shared perspective for any project in a flexible way. It also helps in every aspect of your business, including sales, marketing, HR, and operations. Users find Trello simple to use with no complex onboarding process as well.
Trello has over 100 integrations with essential business tools, including Google Drive, Slack, and Jira. The cross-team collaboration feature allows teams to communicate quickly, regardless of their geographical location. Likewise, other key features are:
- Prevents loss of data with its backup and easy-to-retrieve facility.
- Scales to match the screen size.
- Offers an iPhone and Android app for use on the go.
- Has over 800 emojis for use in various communication aspects.
MySQL
This relational database management system (RDBMS) can help small businesses record, update, and manage data. It can be of value in tasks such as data masking, intrusion detection, multi-document transaction support, and configuration management.
MySQL offers tools for automating administrative tasks such as data provisioning, backup, patching, and tuning. Encryption, key generation, and digital signatures protect confidential data. Administrators can monitor user and application-level performance. Other key features include:
- Real-time monitoring
- Database modeling, query development, and testing
- Audit data inspection
- Database migration
MongoDB
This popular database management software is recommended for organizations in industry segments such as media, healthcare, retail, technology, telecommunications, hospitality, finance, and others. It helps build applications with its built-in tools. Also, users can visualize, manipulate, and analyze data with this database.
MongoDB allows administrators to provide a smooth user experience by setting up transport layer security-based encryption, role-based access rights, and dedicated firewalls. Also, you can run queries, track index usage, check collections metadata, and interact with data. Likewise, other key features are:
- Audit management
- Backup and recovery
- Data dictionary management
- Charting
- Auto backup
QuintaDB
QuintaDB is a cloud-based relational database and web-form builder. It can help small businesses create forms for data collection and link them with contacts. The forms can be embedded in their website to collect data to produce charts, Google Maps, and reports.
Users can create searchable databases without any SQL or programming expertise. Using the integrated rule builders, they can also apply conditional actions, field rules, and formatting. Users can also create their own custom formulas, add multiple field types, and manage relationships. It allows users to import files in CSV and Excel formats and export data to Excel and PDFs. Other key features include:
- Authentication
- Backup and recovery
- Application management
- Data recovery
- Role-based permissions
Conclusion
Apart from the ones listed here, many other database software solutions are available. But, they all have their pros and cons. The most important thing to remember while choosing a database for your small business is why you need it and what value you expect. So, ultimately, it will take some research to decide on the right database that can effectively serve your business’s core needs.
