Why a Simple Time-Tracking App Is Best: 5 Features You Need

If you’ve ever looked for a simple time tracking app, you know that finding one can be anything but simple. See if this sounds familiar: You know old-school punch clocks and paper timesheets won’t cut it, but you’re worried about disrupting your workforce — especially if you can’t find an easy time tracking software they’ll actually want to use. 

Here’s the thing: Time tracking doesn’t have to be time-consuming. When you use a simple time tracking app like Time Tracker, it should actually take less time to schedule, invoice or manage time off — for both employers and employers. 

The best basic time tracking software allows employees to track time to the second with a single click, and it doesn’t take long for employees to get the hang of. It’s one reason that a recent survey showed that 97% of Time Tracker customers would recommend our simple time tracking app to others. 

5 features every basic time tracking software should have

1. A customizable dashboard

One size doesn’t fit all, and that’s why the ability to customize basic time tracking software is crucial. Accountants track time differently from payroll clerks or construction companies, and everyone needs different features. 

A recent Time Tracker survey showed the following features were the most used by our clients:

1. Time entry approvals 66%
2. Reporting 57%
3. Software integrations 47%
4. Mobile app 46%
5. Client billing 44%
6. Time rounding 30%
7. Job cost reporting 19%
8. Paid and unpaid leave 18%
9. Expense tracking 14%
10. Outlook add-in 9%

Time Tracker also has customers who, on the other hand, use geolocation, scheduling and overtime features most. Whatever your needs are, Time Tracker can be tailored to meet them. Simply customize your dashboard so you can access the data that’s most important to your business. Add and remove widgets, sort them by importance, and drag and drop widgets wherever you want them — all in seconds. 

2. Scheduling

When it comes to implementing easy time tracking software, the ability to schedule employees efficiently is important.

• Time Tracker’s scheduling allows you to create daily, weekly or monthly schedules in minutes. 
• You can also create and save multiple templates like “Summer break” or the “Christmas holiday.” 
• To save even more time, you can use the drag and drop feature or copy and paste past schedules.

When you can add scheduling to your already-simple time tracking app, you’ll save time and get schedules to your employees faster. 

3. Overtime prevention

Many basic time tracking software options lack the ability to notify managers when employees are edging toward overtime — despite the fact that overtime prevention is one of the best ways to ensure your payroll costs don’t go over budget. 

With Time Tracker, you can automatically see employees’ and teams’ daily, weekly or monthly hours as they’re added. Set up overtime rules and hours and they’ll turn red once overtime hours are in effect. No more missed notices or budgets. 

4. Invoicing

Generating invoices is time-consuming, especially for employees who routinely spend their time traveling, managing active crews or holding client meetings all day. 

With a simple time tracking app like Time Tracker, you can turn employees’ time into billable hours in seconds:

• Easily connect accounting software (Quickbooks, Xero) 
• Sync new data every few minutes
• Create personalized payment reminders or use our editable, pre-written templates
• Connect Stripe or Paypal so clients can pay instantly with payment links in the invoice
• Always know the status of outstanding invoices with real-time reporting

Along with Time Tracker’s other features, this invoicing capability can save you 30+ hours a month in administration. 

5. Reporting

Another feature many easy time tracking apps lack is reporting. But how can you figure out how you’re making or losing money if you can’t see where your time is going?

Time Tracker offers live and editable reports that can be exported into nine different formats. If you’re short on time, try the automated feature and have the reports emailed to managers who need to see them on set days.

The result: You can estimate project costs more simply and increase profitability by up to 20%.

Try Time Tracker’s Simple Time Tracking App

Ready to see how Time Tracker can simplify and speed up your workplace? Try our free, 14-day trial.