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5 Ways to Find the Best Apps for Your Work

By Alison Groves · September 3, 2015
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Apps are essential to running your business and getting work done. Finding the right one can be a daunting task.

Here are five ways you can use Zapier to find the best apps for your workflow, whether you're in need of better email marketing software, a more sophisticated survey tool, or a fresh take on task management.

Zapier not only helps you discover these apps, but integrates them into your workflow, too.

Find the Best Apps

There are thousands of web apps at our fingertips, each offering a unique mix of features and function. Chances are, if you have a specific problem to solve, there is, as the famous Apple commercial goes, an app for that. As you rely on more and more apps, however, you start making more work for yourself: exporting data from one app to another creates a lot of overhead.

That's where Zapier helps, automating tedious tasks to free up hours of your time. And because of that, we often hear things like, "We'll only use an app if it connects with Zapier."

So rather than relying on a Google search or a coworker's recommendation, professionals are turning to our library of thousands of apps to find the perfect tool for their work.

Here are six ways to find the best app for a problem that can be solved with better software.

1. Browse the App Directory

Zapier App Directory

The Zapier App Directory lists the 500-plus apps connected to Zapier, along with a short list of "Upcoming Apps" that you can vote on to accelerate their integration.

When you're browsing the App Directory, you can learn more about an app by simply placing your cursor on its icon. Start by narrowing in on an app category, such as CRMsform apps, and project management software, by using the menu on the left. If you see an app you want to try out, click on its icon to visit its individual App Directory page, where you can see which Triggers and Actions it supports.

The App Directory is growing weekly—on average, an app is added every other day—so it can be overwhelming to stay on top of each new option. If you want to stay on top of new additions, try setting up a Zap using the "New App" Trigger of the Zapier app; you can set it up to get a notification on a platform of your choice each time the App Directory has new options.

Get email notifications for new apps on Zapier

Get email notifications for new apps on Zapier
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"When you guys bring new apps to our attention, we're like, 'Hey, I didn't know we can do that, let's go put that on the back burner and at least have a solution in mind,'" explains Roy Ching, digital marketing manager for Southwestern Assemblies of God University. "That's what's really great about Zapier. It's exposing us to apps that we're not typically accustomed to or we're not really using on a day-to-day basis."

2. Subscribe to the Updates Blog

New Zapier apps are introduced on our Updates Blog. Each post provides a screenshot and a description of the new app, along with suggested Zaps involving the app and a guide to getting started with it on Zapier.

Subscribing to the Updates Blog is the best way to stay up to speed on new apps and enhancements to the apps you already use. To receive these updates, either visit the Updates Blog and subscribe or set up a Zap using the "New Update" Trigger.

"A recent updates email from Zapier led me to find the perfect hiring app for my company, Breezy HR, that we were in desperate need of," says Diane Umoh, marketing administrator for Great Lakes Label. "Zapier updates help me stay informed on the latest organization and marketing apps, which in turn saves me a ton a time."

3. Read Best App Roundups

Reviews on their own can be helpful if you're curious about one particular app. But what if you don't know where to start? That's where our "Best App Roundups" come in. We look through the most popular apps for any category—such as CRMs, form builders, to-do list apps, and email marketing tools—and give each one a shot. Then, we list the app's best features, so you can pick the perfect tool for your needs.

These are some of our most popular roundups highlighting our picks for:

  • Note-taking apps

  • Free survey tools and form apps

  • To-do apps

  • URL shorteners

  • Calendar apps

  • Meeting scheduler apps

  • Online whiteboards

  • Electronic signature apps

  • Time-tracking apps

And we're publishing new collections all the time. You can find all our app roundups on the blog.

4. Digest App Tips

Once you've found the perfect app, you might need help getting started with it. Perhaps it's a confusing new tool like a CRM, filled with terminology and features you've never heard of before. Or maybe it's a long-time favorite like Gmail that's packed with hidden features you never can seem to find. Zapier's app tips posts can help you unlock the hidden power in your favorite tools.

We've published app tips for a long time, and collect them together on a dedicated App Tips page. Here are some of the most popular app tips we've published so far:

  • 40+ Google Docs Tips

  • A Guide to Optimizing Gmail

  • Supercharge Google Calendar

  • How to Use LinkedIn Search

  • How to Build a Smarter International Phone with Twilio

  • 25 Effective Ways to Use Twitter Search

  • Slack Everything

  • 12 Advanced Dropbox Features

5. Download App eBooks

Zapier eBooks

At Zapier, we want to be helpful—always. We take great pride in sharing knowledge, and we know there's plenty of information to detail when it comes to business disciplines. From email marketing to client surveys, we've put together eBooks covering an array of topics in-depth. These resources are free to download, and can be found in the Zapier Learning Center, on Amazon's Kindle Store, and on the iBooks Store.

  • The Ultimate Guide to CRM Apps

  • The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing Apps

  • The Ultimate Guide to Forms and Surveys

  • An Introduction to APIs

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