How to choose a free online time clock?

 The Price of Free

Since you’re looking for a free solution, I am going to assume budgetary constraints are an issue. Many online time clock solutions offer free trial periods, but that’s all those are - trials. After a limited time, you’ll be asked to pay up, usually with a monthly subscription fee. So even though the website says “free”, it’s usually followed by the words “trial period” which means that their freedom is short.

If you’re searching for an online time clock that is really free, look for one that offer the basic functionality you need, and demands a subscription only for advanced features and add-on capabilities.

Defining Your Needs

Before you look for solutions, define the problem to solve. Consider the characteristics and goals of your business. What can you improve by integrating an online time clock, and what might be the obstacles.

Try answering the following questions before you start your search:

• Are you looking to track just the time employees are at work or do you also want to track time spent on each task?
• Do you need to know where your employees are doing their job, in addition to the when?
• Is network connectivity always available where they work? How will they log their time when offline?
• How many users will need to access the system?
• Do they have their own device (mobile or PC) that is compatible with the time clock solution you choose, or will you have to supply them with one?
• Do you need the time clock solution to integrate with other software or tools, like payroll management software?

Understanding Your Employees

You’re not the only user of the business time clock solution, just the most important one. Consider your employees abilities, needs and habits - for better or worse. Do they have the basic technical proficiency to use an online system to track their work hours? Will they be honest in their reporting? Will they remember to use the software?

Nobody likes feeling watched and tracked. So one of the things to consider is how your employees will respond to the time clock solution you select. On the other hand, offending an employee is not as bad as having inefficient or dishonest workers in your team.

Data Integrity & Security

Time clock data is precious, so you don’t want it tampered with, destroyed or lost. When selecting an online time clock, be sure to check what security and backup options are included. You might also want to export data for local backup, or check historic records in the system, so consider the fate of the information when choosing the service that stores it.

Ease-of-use & Implementation

There’s no such thing as free meals. Even free solutions require time. And time is money. Customization, training, maintenance and even the time employees spend clocking in and out - all of these require time. That costs money. So when choosing an online time clock solution for your business, consider these expenses.

Service & Support

The time clock might be free of charge, but it isn’t always free of issues. Responsive support, quick service, and frequent product updates are important to consider.

Create Your Own Branded Time Clock App

Connecteam lets you create branded mobile apps for your employees that include not only a feature-rich time clock, but also to-do lists, event scheduling, training and product management features. Creating your own branded app with Connecteam takes less than an hour, and is absolutely free.

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