5 Free iPhone Apps for Your Online Business

Paul Hochman, a video host at MSN’s Business on Main, recently put up a video about two free apps that are beneficial for business.  While the two he pointed out might be useful for offline businesses, I wanted to make a list of my top five favorite (and free!) apps for online business.

1. Mail App

Although this app is not one that you download from the app store, nor is it one that is fancy schmancy, I still love this app because of its ease of use.  Being able to stay connected to my e-mail seamlessly is a beautiful thing.  

Since I use Gmail, I have connected my mail app to my Gmail account in IMAP style, which means that when I respond to or look at an e-mail on my iPhone, my Gmail inbox automatically updates too!  No duplicate e-mails and no wondering what I did and didn’t reply to.

The fact that you can connect multiple accounts to it is also valuable.  Love me the free, native mail app.

2. Dropbox App

A lot of us online business owners are never in one place for too long.  Because of this, we need a document storage solution that puts our files “in the cloud.”  A perfect solution for this is Dropbox.  Dropbox offers a virtual file storage solution that allows you to organize your files into folders and then share those folders, if you wish, with colleauges or team members.

Dropbox also has a free app.  This app allows you to connect into your Dropbox folders from your mobile device, which is fantastic when you want to review that PDF or send that document to someone while you are away from your desktop.

3. PayPal App

For many business owners, PayPal is a means of receiving funds from online purchases.  If you are one of those business owners, you will greatly appreciate the free PayPal app for your mobile device.  The PayPal app allows you to login to your PayPal account, review the transactions and send or withdraw your funds.

I like this app because it also has push notifications that you can turn on, which alert you to new purchases or new funds received.  There is nothing better than lying in bed, reading a book, and seeing your iPhone light up with new incoming orders.  Best use of push notifications right there.

4. Skype App

Not everyone enjoys being connected 24/7 but if you do, and Skype is a part of that connectivity, you will appreciate the free Skype app.  

The Skype app lets you make Skype calls and use the type chat to stay connected to your team members, clients, friends and family.  The beautiful thing about the app is that, since it is free, you won’t have to use up your minutes all of the time.

You can even do video calls from the Skype app, which will save you from using up your minutes doing Facetime calls from your iPhone.

5. Tungle App

One of the other main components of running a busy business is setting up meetings and / or phone appointments.  Doing this, for online business owners, is made easier when you incorporate an online, automated scheduling system.  Enter Tungle.

Tungle is a service that connects to your calendar and offers an easy-to-navigate and interactive scheduling system to your clients.  The process is then made seamless as the client chooses their preferred times, you confirm your preferred time, the appointment is added to your calendar and the client is notified of the chosen date and sent a reminder before the appointment.

The Tungle app lets you view your calendar (if it isn’t hooked up to a calendar that you are already connected to, ie: Google Calendar) and it allows you to walk through the booking process straight from your phone.

Leave a Comment!

Share in the comments… what are your favorite apps?  If you watch the video with Paul Hochman and name at least one of the apps he recommends in the comments below, you’ll be entered into a free giveaway — a $50 iTunes gift card to use on whatever apps you want or need for your small business!

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My blog is part of an online influencer network for Business on Main. I receive incentives to share my views on a monthly basis.

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