Running a trade business comes with enough challenges—keeping track of paperwork shouldn’t be one of them.
Going paperless can save you time, reduce stress, and make your business more efficient. With the right digital tools, you can manage jobs, invoices, and client communication with ease.
Here’s how you can go paperless and streamline your trade business.
Paper contracts can be a hassle to print, sign, and file. Digital contract tools let you send quotes and agreements that clients can sign electronically.
Try these options:
DocuSign – A trusted tool for e-signatures and digital agreements.
PandaDoc – Great for creating, sending, and tracking contracts.
ServiceSeeking.com.au – Allows you to send quotes and secure jobs quickly, all in one place.
Ditch the notebooks and whiteboards—job management software keeps everything in one place. These tools help you schedule jobs, track progress, and communicate with your team.
Some great options include:
ServiceM8 – Ideal for small trade businesses, it handles job scheduling, invoicing, and customer communication.
Tradify – A popular choice for tradies, offering job tracking, quoting, and invoicing features.
AroFlo – Best for larger businesses with advanced job management needs.
Manually writing and mailing invoices is slow and inefficient. Digital invoicing tools allow you to create, send, and track invoices in minutes.
Try these options:
Xero – A cloud-based accounting tool with easy invoicing and payment tracking.
QuickBooks Online – Great for managing invoices, expenses, and tax records.
Square – Perfect for tradies who want to accept card payments on the go.
No more lost receipts or crumpled contracts—store everything securely online. Cloud storage lets you access documents from anywhere and easily share them with clients and team members.
Top choices include:
Google Drive – Free and easy to use, with plenty of storage.
Dropbox – Great for sharing large files and keeping everything organised.
OneDrive – Works seamlessly with Microsoft Office tools.
Keeping track of emails, texts, and calls can be a nightmare. Digital communication tools keep everything in one place, making it easy to stay on top of client and team messages.
Consider these tools:
Slack – Great for team communication and file sharing.
WhatsApp Business – Ideal for quick client communication and updates.
Zoom – Handy for virtual client meetings or team check-ins.
Manually tracking expenses and tax records can take up valuable time. Automate the process with digital bookkeeping tools.
Recommended apps:
Receipt Bank – Scans and categorises receipts automatically.
MYOB – A full accounting solution perfect for Australian businesses.
Expensify – Helps track and manage expenses on the go.
For tradies with a team, tracking work hours and managing payroll digitally makes life much easier.
Top picks:
Deputy – Ideal for rostering, timesheets, and payroll management.
ClockShark – Designed specifically for tradies to track work hours.
Tanda – A powerful tool for scheduling and payroll automation.
When going paperless, keeping your data safe is crucial. Use strong passwords and backup important files to avoid losing critical information.
Security tips:
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all important accounts.
Regularly back up files to the cloud or an external hard drive.
Use antivirus software to protect your devices.
Going paperless is a game-changer for tradies who want to work smarter, not harder. By using digital tools, you’ll save time, reduce admin headaches, and focus on growing your business.
Need more leads to keep your business thriving? Sign up on ServiceSeeking.com.au today and connect with customers looking for trusted tradies like you!