Time tracking might seem like a hassle, but it’s incredibly important, especially for a freelancing business, to understand where your resources are going. Accurate time tracking helps you identify how long tasks take, and it also allows you to understand how much time you should spend on these duties.
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The Benefits of Time Tracking in the Workplace
Comprehensive time and software tracking can help you understand how long tasks take to complete and if you are getting them done within the designated window laid out for your deadline.
The benefits time tracking provides include:
- Studying trends to determine periods of highest productivity
- Detailed insight into how resources are being allocated
- Measure performance times to show improvement and personal growth
- Simplify how you keep track of work hours and invoicing
With multiple benefits for freelance business owners, it’s worth considering investing in a high-quality time tracking tool if you’re not using one already.
Useful Tools for Time Tracking
As with any software, there are different platforms available, each offering unique features. The best time tracking tools for your business depend on your budget, whether you want standalone software, and if you want a tool for invoicing in addition to time tracking.
Ideal programs operate like the Indy time tracker, which is a convenient tool that lets you clock in with the simple click of a button and hit pause on the clock anytime you take a break. The time tracker allows you to filter your timesheets in different ways so you can get an overview of your work hours and tasks. At the end of the week or month, link your hours to an invoice, so all you have to do is add your hourly rate before sending the document to a client.
Why Freelancers Should be Time Tracking
Time tracking enables you to notice productivity patterns and gain quantifiable data about how you manage your time. This information can allow you to make changes to how your business operates and improve workflow.
Time tracking software can help minimize wasted hours by keeping you accountable for your time management decisions, ensuring you never leave your projects to the last minute or compromise on the quality of your service.
Finally, time tracking enables you to know when to delegate tasks. Using a time tracker to understand which jobs you spend the most time on allows you to outsource certain project tasks to others with expertise in the area, freeing you to concentrate on what you do best.
Positive Engagement Leads to Improvement
When you learn how to optimize time tracking tools efficiently, productivity increases because people feel good about your work ethic and have confidence in your business acumen. When you implement this software in the right way, it maximizes your time and simplifies the workflow.
Even if they don’t answer to anyone but themselves, freelancers can also benefit from tracking their work hours so they can monetize their services appropriately.