Top 5 Mobile Apps for Your Horse Business

As horse professionals, we don't get to spend a lot of time in front of the computer. However, smart phones and mobile devices have given us a way to keep our businesses up-to-date and running while on the go.

There are thousands of apps available today that can help save you time and money. You can take credit card payments, record voice notes, schedule an event and record your expenses all from your smart phone. What's great is you don't have to be a large-scale operation to take advantage of all of this because most apps are inexpensive or event free.

 Here are a few apps to get you started:

1. Intuit GoPayment (QuickBooks): In this economy, every little edge helps. With the Intuit GoPayment app, you can use your phone to take payments at the barn, horse shows, expos, tradeshows and conferences. Intuit provides a card reader that plugs into your phone that allows you to swipe cards and process transactions from just about any location. Customers can sign a touch screen to authorize their transactions and they can revieve email receipts. You can also sync GoPayment with QuickBooks to streamline the process even more.

Platform: iPhone, Android Price: Free app and free card reader; Pricing for plan varies

2. Google Maps/Navigation: As horse professionals, the road is our friend (or sometimes enemy). Make the trip easier with these two apps.

Google Maps is great for locating long with the classic map application, Google Maps now has indoor maps (beta) for select airports, shopping malls, and more.

The Navigation app turns your phone into a GPS overlaid on top of Google Maps. So you not only get the regular map, but you can also use Google Street View to get a better idea of where your location is.

Platform: iPhone, Android Price: Free

3. Trip Cubby: As horse professionals it's rare when we're not on the road. Make sure that you're taking full advantage of this tax right off by keeping good mileage records. Trip Cubby allows you to enter your trip information (with the assistance of predictive input and auto entry), and it automatically calculates your mileage. It then compiles Excel-compatible reports and charts that can be emailed. Platform: iPhone, Android Price: Free with ads, $5 without4. Dragon Dictation: This is an easy-to-use voice recognition application that allows you to speak and instantly see your text or email messages faster than you can type it. You can also dictate status updates directly to your Facebook and Twitter accounts or send notes and reminders to yourself-all using your voice. Platform: iPhone, Android Price: Free

4. Shoeboxed: When it comes to taxes, receipts are money. This is one of the best apps (and online platforms) to keep track of them. You can use your mobile phone to take a picture of the receipt (you can also scan or email online receipts to your account) and the app will automatically record the amount, date, and it will categorize it based on your predetermined sections. You can export the expenses into Quickbooks and Quicken. You can also use Shoeboxed to manage your contact database by uploaded business cards (see Productivity and Organization) Platform: iPhone, Android (mobile site only) Price: Free with premium plan

5. PDANet: Ever wish you had Internet access for your computer when there's not wireless available? This is a great app for that. It allows you to use your phones Internet connection through your computer just as if you were connected to a wireless network. Connect through USB or Bluetooth without having to add a tether plan to your mobile phone bill. Note: Data rates do apply, so be sure to do your homework. Platform: iPhone, Android Price: Free; Paid version with additional features.

 You can find even more useful apps and tips for your horse business in the new "Mobile Business Guide," which is free for all EquestrianProfessional.com members.

 Members and Future Members of Equestrian Professional
One of the most important benefits of being a member of EP is that we understand how different the horse business is from mainstream businesses. Our members gain access to a proven system and collection of tools and resources specifically for professional equestrians that help you to unify your equestrian career and business goals so that you are able to build both a successful career and a profitable business.

Share this Article

del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Facebook  StumbleUpon  GoogleBookmark  Technorati  Furl  Twitter