Project Management Online Tools: Key Features They All Absolutely Must Have

Like many freelancers, Diana is working from home and would like a full rundown of the best project management online tools available in the market. She is excited at the possibility that the tool can organize her workflow and gain for her new clients. That’s why she asked us for advice:

“Hello. Am on the lookout for project management online tools to lighten my workload and make sense of  my daily workflow. I would also like one that would help me collaborate efficiently with my clients and network of contacts. Can you give me tips on how to go about looking for project management online tools and what features to look for? Thanks.” Diana, KY

Hello Diana, it’s amazing how project management online tools can improve communication and enhance productivity if you take your time finding the right one. The truth is, there are several of such tools available for your choosing. You just have to list down what features you want and pit this against what they offer. Of course, you also have to consider your budget. There are free plans and subscriptions too.

Consider the software for the following features:

Ease of use

Test how the tool works on your computer screen and study the user interface: is it convenient to use, can you communicate with your clients through multiple channels? What is good about a web based system  is that you do not have to do the work of installing and upgrading all-important cloud software. Look for an online provider that delivers customer support 24/7.

Pricing

There are a variety of project management solutions plans available depending on your degree of need. At the start, it might be well-advised to sign up for a free trial and scale your subscription as you go along. If you’re just new to the game, it might be good not to spend a dime so you can test the system first. The nice ones we can recommend are TeamBox, OneHub and ConceptBoard. There’s also a listing of a wide range of highly-recommended project management apps available in this page.

File management

It is amazing how a project management  software can effectively help you keep track of projects, manage contacts, assign tasks and monitor performance. Look for a software provider that can effectively generate reports relevant to your data gathering  needs.

Work data is available and accessible  24/7

Related to the above, it is important that you can access information pertinent to your project wherever you are, as long as there is a reliable internet connection. In the same vein, you should be able to work on your project wherever you are, whether  in front of the computer, on your mobile phone or laptop. As such, there is greater flexibility to do the tasks at hand, no matter what place or time of day.

Security of data

Being hosted on cloud servers is more advantageous, especially if much of your worklife is anchored on web transactions. Improper file storage and losing  documents can be a nightmare for a freelancer like you so find a provider that can assure your data is securely encrypted and have no chances of being hacked.

Good luck!

By Stephanie Seymour

Stephanie Seymour is a senior business analyst and one of the crucial members of the FinancesOnline research team. She is a leading expert in the field of business intelligence and data science. She specializes in visual data discovery, cloud-based BI solutions, and big data analytics. She’s fascinated by how companies dealing with big data are increasingly embracing cloud business intelligence. In her software reviews, she always focuses on the aspects that let users share analytics and enhance findings with context.