AWeber

GetResponse

![aweber vs getresponse](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/7Ki6QxatKKR31fsR3SOC2K/df8e7558e1d738fc03880d4b58b24fce/aweber_vs_getresponse.png)

If you're looking for the best email marketing software for powering your campaigns, you might be comparing GetResponse vs. AWeber.

Email marketing is still one of the most valuable marketing strategies, offering a typical return on investment of [4200%, or $42 for every dollar spent](https://dma.org.uk/uploads/misc/marketers-email-tracker-2019.pdf). That’s even after the rollout of stringent new privacy regulations like Europe’s GDPR and California’s CCPA. 

Simply put, trust in email marketing is higher than ever, especially when compared to social media and the uncertainties around it. At least [80% of small businesses rely on email](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/email-marketing-statistics) as their primary method of customer acquisition and retention. 

However, to make email marketing work for your business, you can’t expect to rely on manual processes when you have a rapidly growing subscriber list. 

With a [software-as-a-service (SaaS)](https://www.piesync.com/blog/the-saas-guide-the-tools-and-trends-shaping-tech-in-2020/) email marketing tool like **GetReponse or AWeber**, you can be in the best position to manage your subscribers and build tailored campaigns that drive success.

----

## Introducing AWeber and GetResponse

While [Mailchimp](https://mailchimp.com/) leads the industry with a 61.84% market share, [AWeber](https://www.aweber.com/) and [GetResponse](https://www.getresponse.com/) are lesser-known options with market shares of [2.5 and 0.85% shares](https://www.datanyze.com/market-share/email-marketing--13?page=1) respectively. 

However, they offer some unique features and benefits to make them worthy of your consideration. While GetResponse is a strong all-round tool for marketing teams of all sizes, AWeber is laser-focused on effective email marketing for small businesses.

Read on for our in-depth comparison of the two email marketing tools.


* [When to choose GetResponse](#choosing-getresponse)
* [When to choose AWeber](#choosing-aweber)
* [Feature comparison](#feature-comparison)
* [Deployment and ease of use](#ease-of-use)
* [List management](#list-management)
* [Templates and design](#templates)
* [Marketing automation](#automation)
* [Reporting and analytics](#reporting)
* [Pricing comparison](#pricing-comparison)
* [Summary: When to choose GetResponse vs. AWeber](#summary)

----

## When to choose GetResponse{#choosing-getresponse}

[GetResponse](https://www.piesync.com/getresponse) advertises itself as all-in-one marketing software. If you want an integrated solution that works well with other enterprise software and provides detailed analytics and lead management, the platform offers very compelling pricing and the ability to sell products. 

GetResponse easily expands to fit enterprise-level requirements, but the wealth of features might be overkill for smaller organizations that only need an email marketing solution.

It also offers some CRM functionality, although it’s not as sophisticated as a dedicated CRM tool. Still, this can be nice to have, especially for smaller organizations that don’t want to invest in lots of additional software. 

![comparing getresponse](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/116ES2DTus5r3MR96ehP2J/78e7506539af23753d3db02ecb92793e/Screenshot_2020-02-20_at_19.47.49.png)

----

## When to choose AWeber{#choosing-aweber}

While GetResponse is often described as a jack-of-all-trades, [AWeber](https://www.piesync.com/aweber) is purely focused on email marketing for small businesses. That may be exactly what you want if you already have powerful CRM and marketing automation tools that you’re happy with. 

With a wide range of integrations, AWeber works well with plenty of different software. Like GetResponse, it's also [supported by PieSync](http://piesync.com/aweber), which opens up your scope for deep integrations and two-way customer data syncing. 

Other exclusive benefits include more email templates, phone support and perfect compatibility with AMP and the Gmail mobile app. 

Another important advantage of AWeber is that you get access to all features no matter which subscription package you choose. 

![comparing aweber](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/3Du4A5kLq0Iu55OzMiwpw/9e4bc8b03653c5ca59a8a9456418d9b4/Screenshot_2020-03-11_at_13.31.38.png)

----

## Feature comparison{#feature-comparison}

To help you choose the best email marketing software for your business, here’s an in-depth look into what AWeber and GetResponse have to offer.

&nbsp;

### Deployment and ease of use{#ease-of-use}

Email marketing software is all about facilitating ease of use at scale. If your mailing list is growing steadily, the last thing you want to be doing is manually building up and managing your contact database. 

It’s also vital you feel comfortable with the tools you use. Both tools are designed to be used by sales and marketing teams with minimal involvement from IT. Being SaaS offerings, they’re also proactively maintained and updated by their vendors.

__GetResponse__ provides a user-friendly, wizard-driven interface from the moment you first log in. You can import a CSV file with your existing contacts or add them manually. For the sake of compliance, it also asks you if you have permission to add the contact to your mailing list. 

GetResponse's Quick Actions interface lets you create forms, newsletters, landing pages, autoresponders and contacts lists at the click of a button. 

![getresponse ease of use](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/193mhWDgdF83d2v2xYEQbu/abf22633a37174a85058729088d745ff/Dashboard-2019.png)


Additionally, you can create custom fields such as telephone numbers and demographic information. GetResponse is also advertised as being an all-in-one marketing platform, so it provides a richer range of options in its dashboard than AWeber. At the same time, this **can be overwhelming** for some users.


The __AWeber__ dashboard also provides a clean and simple overview of your subscribers and recently sent newsletters, although being solely an email marketing tool, it’s **not quite as comprehensive** as GetResponse.

![ease of use aweber](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/6pmNh89099MjWZOqijGC4h/a9e11306e8c811495fa53fdb0afd8730/ease_of_use_aweber.png)

&nbsp;

### List management{#list-management}

Effective email list management revolves around two key areas – importing existing data and managing it thereafter. GetResponse lets you import contact data in CSV, TXT, VCF, XLS and ODS format, while AWeber supports XLS, XLSX, TSV, CSV and TXT. 

GetResponse has the added benefit of allowing you to import data from various third-party services thanks to its powerful integration options. You can also add contacts manually in both platforms, as well as being able to add users to specific autoresponder cycles. 

Another important feature that both platforms have in common is double opt-in processes, which helps ensure compliance with GDPR and similar legislation.

Managing your list relies a lot on effective data segmentation. Both options let you separate subscribers into different groups, based on a variety of filters like demographic attributes and previous interactions with your company. 

__GetResponse__, however, is arguably more powerful in this respect, since it lets you select audience groups before you send a newsletter without having to manage each segment individually. This makes it more versatile for creating highly targeted campaigns. 

As such, GetResponse tends to be the better choice for businesses that cater to a more diverse customer base. It's also ideal for agencies that need to manage multiple client campaigns.


<RelatedPost slug="aweber-vs-mailchimp-which-email-marketing-software-is-best-for-you" />

&nbsp;

### Templates and design{#templates}

Another key function of any email marketing platform is the actual design of your newsletters and automated messages. Both products offer a wide range of categorized templates, all of which are fully customizable to suit different industries and business needs. 

GetResponse ships with around 500 templates, while AWeber has around 700. They also provide templates for landing pages and forms, with GetResponse providing a straightforward landing page creator straight out of the box, complete with a drag-and-drop interface. 

All templates provided in each platform are fully responsive too, meaning they automatically scale to the type of device they’re viewed on. 

Here's a glimpse at the AWeber email editor:

![aweber email editor](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/4veVAaE9qO8wt3M75bVsay/031d092232a1e37cf47c4429f4d1bdea/Screen-Shot-2018-12-11-at-11.12.36-AM.png)

&nbsp;

And here's the GetResponse email editor:

![getresponse email editor](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/2Z7xeiXLSTA4k66bLjFWRk/96d5b693440a3f4292eb46b2d37cafdc/EmailEditor.png)

&nbsp;

GetResponse recently had some issues with emails not displaying correctly in the Gmail app, but these have been resolved with a new email editor. 

Two other important design considerations include web fonts and accelerated mobile pages (AMP). Many emailing tools, including web-based ones, support the use of web fonts, which can help designers choose fonts that more closely match the branding they use on websites. 

Until recently, both platforms were fairly restrictive in this respect, allowing you to use ‘safe’ fonts only, such as Times New Roman and Arial. However, the new GetResponse editor lets you choose from hundreds of Google fonts, while AWeber is still relatively restrictive.
    
&nbsp;
  
### Marketing automation{#automation}

With business workflows becoming increasingly complex, it’s never been more important to automate repetitive operations, and there’s no shortage of those in email marketing. One of the most important features in any email marketing platform is the autoresponder, which lets you automatically send emails to subscribers when certain actions are taken.

For example, if someone signs up to your mailing list, you’ll probably want to onboard them with a welcome email, while the flow of marketing newsletters may commence a few days later. Both AWeber and GetResponse provide extensive autoresponder functionality based on the triggers which are most important to your business.

__GetResponse__ is the more sophisticated of the two when it comes to automation, since it allows you to create automated customer funnels with predefined but customizable sequences which incorporate landing pages, forms, sign-up pages and more. You can also create entire email campaigns using the drag-and-drop interface. 

![getresponse automation workflow](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/60TIl7KAGr3feoHOBzXlla/b6f3107c1f2afd474f72de49420744b6/Workflow.jpg)

&nbsp;

__AWeber__ is much simpler in regards to marketing automation, with a stronger focus on nurturing audiences rather than growing your mailing list:


![automation aweber](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/2OW1Iz4k4nG4eQIxqmWRPD/d9ab5f162f5bccf40a314809bffa657c/automation_aweber.jpg)

&nbsp;

However, AWeber does provide a wider range of A/B testing options, particularly when it comes to evaluating the impact of your images and calls to action.  


<RelatedPost slug="how-automation-benefits-your-customers-and-how-to-ensure-it" />

&nbsp;

### Reporting and analytics{#reporting}

No email marketing solution would be complete without detailed reporting and analytics to track your progress and optimize your campaigns based on data-driven insights. 

AWeber and GetResponse let you track key metrics like open rates, click rates and unsubscribe counts in a conveniently visualized format. __GetResponse__ offers more customization options with its reports dashboard, letting users choose from a selection of chart and table formats. 


![getresponse reporting analytics](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/4ZWOYrxO2kOCPZ1foeuMqW/332c4aa537d069be2b9dc8f647b61460/Screenshot_2020-02-21_at_10.59.51.png)

&nbsp;

Another benefit of GetResponse is that it integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics, allowing you to combine your SEO reports with your email marketing metrics.

__AWeber__ also provides a rich set of business intelligence features, which are powered by pre-built reports that deliver actionable insights into your campaigns. These reports contain various key performance indicators (KPIs) and are presented simply enough that anyone can interpret and understand them. AWeber also has a mobile app that lets you keep track of campaign results on the move.


![analytics aweber](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/4GSkw9nDGKWeUmWyJAukku/5e7c37a967a0e8b168234b6aa9db1660/analytics_aweber.png)

&nbsp;

### Scalability and pricing{#pricing-comparison}

Finally, we come to pricing. Although this should be secondary to functionality in your decision making, it can be a make or break issue for smaller businesses on a budget. As SaaS platforms, GetResponse and AWeber are subscription-based offerings with various service tiers, which vary in price depending primarily on the size of your mailing lists. Both options offer a free trial.

__GetResponse__ starts at $15 per month for the Basic edition, $49 for the Plus edition and $99 for the Professional edition. These prices apply to list sizes of up to 1,000, with rates rising to $450, $499 and $580 for up to 100,000 subscribers. 

![getresponse pricing](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/A7qSgAwAcXxrOSYewAo4O/34d49d98f739131b506f39700a39dbc2/Screenshot_2020-02-21_at_10.52.05.png)

&nbsp;

For large enterprises with over 100,000 subscribers, there’s an Enterprise package, which includes all the features and unlimited list sizes, for $1,199 per month.

__AWeber__ starts at $19 per month for up to 500 subscribers, increasing to $149 per month for up to 25,000. You can also save money by making a quarterly or annual commitment. If you have more than 25,000 subscribers, you’ll need to request a quote.

![pricing aweber](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/2QMYsiLfwhCgyHbEIRj7Wr/005221f8792c0f967a56886dca4819c7/pricing_aweber.png)

&nbsp;

## Summary: When to choose GetResponse vs. AWeber{#summary}

Here’s our quick summary of when to choose GetResponse vs. AWeber as your  email marketing tool:

| **When to choose GetResponse**  | **When to choose AWeber**  |
| ------------ | ------------ |
| You have a mid-size to enterprise-level business, or a smaller business needing more advanced features  | You have a smaller business with simpler requirements  |
| You're looking for all-in-one marketing software  | You want a dedicated email marketing tool   |
| You want detailed analytics, lead management and CRM functionality | You want more email templates, phone support and perfect compatibility with AMP and the Gmail mobile app |
| You're interested in paying more for enterprise-level advanced features  | You want access to all features, no matter which subscription package you choose  |


----

If you're still looking for email marketing tools to add to your shortlist, we've compiled other in-depth comparisons to help you find the best software for you:

* [AWeber vs. Mailchimp: which email marketing software is best for you?](https://www.piesync.com/blog/aweber-vs-mailchimp-which-email-marketing-software-is-best-for-you/)
* [MailerLite vs. Mailchimp: which email marketing software is best?](https://www.piesync.com/blog/mailerlite-vs-mailchimp-which-email-marketing-software-is-best/)
* [Sendinblue vs. Mailchimp: which email marketing software is best?](https://www.piesync.com/blog/sendinblue-vs-mailchimp-which-email-marketing-software-is-best/)
* [Mailgun vs. SendGrid: which is the best email service provider?](https://www.piesync.com/blog/mailgun-vs-sendgrid-which-is-the-best-email-service-provider/)


No matter which email marketing software you go with, take time to ensure it syncs seamlessly with the other tools in your software stack. The easiest and most reliable way to enable this is with a [two-way sync between your business apps](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/email-marketing/). 

With PieSync, you can connect [AWeber](https://www.piesync.com/aweber/) or [GetResponse](https://www.piesync.com/getresponse/) with hundreds of other apps to ensure that your data is always up-to-date, free of duplicates and reliably synced to the right places. To get started, sign up for a free trial and choose your first apps to sync.

<Button text="Try PieSync for free" href="https://app.piesync.com/signup/" />


Email is a key part of any marketing strategy, but finding the right tool can take time. Here’s our comparison of GetResponse vs. AWeber to help you along.

Digital Marketing 

Email Marketing

Marketing 

GetResponse vs. AWeber: which email marketing software is best in 2020?

aweber logo getresponse logo aweber vs getresponse

aweber vs getresponse

GetResponse vs. AWeber: which email marketing tool is best in 2020?

Freshdesk

Zendesk

HubSpot

Mailchimp

Pipedrive

![if then rules for a more productive business](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/5gMxNVL9Sv6sVTIiQIN25E/df703c31f327e83b7e512751bd0488d4/if_then_rules_for_a_more_productive_business.jpg)

We use conditional if-*this*-then-*that* "rules" all the time in our own lives. 

It means that if A is true, then action B should be taken. Otherwise, action C should be taken.

Think of making plans for your weekend. _If_ it's sunny, _then_ you'll go to the beach. If it's not, you'll stay inside.

![IF/THEN diagram](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/4N1mjkUCK4pT3M2meiDJeA/a231871ecfed30b12ca679a60c78f1c8/If-Then-Else-diagram.svg.png)

&nbsp;

If you look for them, you can find IF/THEN rules everywhere in the decisions we make every day.

But what about our businesses?

Setting clear IF/THEN rules in your business is one of the **best ways to boost productivity and streamline processes.**

Instead of having to make decisions on a case-by-case basis, you can determine clear rules that trigger automated actions at the right time without you needing to lift a finger.

This means you can reduce the manual tasks on your plate and free up your time for the most valuable work.

Let's dig into how you can introduce straightforward IF/THEN rules to streamline processes and bring more ease to your business...

----

### How to use IF/THEN rules in your business

&nbsp;

#### Think in terms of workflows

A workflow is the way you get work done, illustrated as a series of steps that need to be completed in sequence.

To implement the most helpful IF/THEN rules in your business, **think about the recurring workflows** that need to take place every day.

As an example, here's a list of emails you might send to marketing leads to nurture them towards becoming customers:

1. Someone finds your business in a Google search
2. They subscribe to your mailing list
3. You send a welcome email instantly
4. You send an email with new content after 1 week
5. You send an email with new content after 2 weeks


With the right tool, you can automate these steps so the right emails are sent at the right time without you having to do anything.

*If* someone subscribes to your mailing list, *then* your email marketing tool automatically sends them a sequence of personalized emails at pre-determined intervals.

This radically reduces the time and cost of acquiring new customers.

Here's an example of an automated email workflow with [ConvertKit](https://convertkit.com/features/automations). It sends the right email to the right people, depending on their subscriptions and interests:

![ConvertKit email funnel](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/5yCvnAlPrGIOTcDYe0tHMv/2bf6b4c2c11767efa1ef285a33dd3e2f/single-automation-long.png)
&nbsp;

You can also create **automated internal workflows** for common processes in your organization such as:

* Assigning and distributing tasks to the right team members
* Sending internal emails to notify colleagues when certain actions are taken by leads
* Adding notes to contacts in your CRM
* [Adding contact data to other apps when conditions are met](https://www.piesync.com/why/)


Tools with extensive automation features like [HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com/products/marketing/marketing-automation) make creating these internal workflows super simple. With a drag-and-drop workflow builder, you can quickly build exactly the right workflow to handle your own IF/THEN rules:

![HubSpot drag and drop automation builder](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/6F0dwgHRW3EOtpwgTfc0IT/e14d789d566ab115c0f8ac9a4668f7f8/Screenshot_2020-03-23_at_13.11.09.png)
&nbsp;

#### List the common actions your customers take

Another way to introduce more IF/THEN rules in your business is by thinking about your customer journey.

Even before thinking about automation, it's helpful for any organization to list the common steps most people take before becoming a customer. It allows you to be there for your marketing leads at exactly the right time.

A simple version for an ecommerce store could be: 

1. A person views your website
2. You send them retargeting ads that remind them of your store
3. They return to your store and click the "buy now" button when they're ready
4. You send personalized emails that show other products they might like

Once you understand your customer journey, you can identify areas where you can introduce automations based on IF/THEN rules. 

For instance, *if* a customer orders baby shoes from your online clothing store, *then* your email tool can send them a discount code for other kid's clothes.

----

### 4 examples of IF/THEN rules to use in your business

&nbsp;

#### IF a customer submits a support ticket, THEN alert their account manager

Popular customer support software such as [Zendesk](https://www.zendesk.com/) or [Freshdesk](https://freshdesk.com/) offer built-in options to create workflows that alert the right people when certain conditions are met. 

We love how Freshdesk describes [their automation functionality](https://freshdesk.com/automations) as "A sorting hat for every ticket."

![Freshdesk ticket automation](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/7ML8wPO2Xy7Y7VzBuEe1ux/cb17301fc1e7695136fc8844f756bf81/Screenshot_2020-03-23_at_13.06.09.png)

A common IF/THEN rule for support teams is alerting the account manager when one of their customers submits a ticket, so they can ensure a timely response. 

A similar example is alerting an account manager when a customer submits a negative NPS score, so they can follow up and fix underlying issues.

<RelatedPost slug="how-automation-benefits-your-customers-and-how-to-ensure-it" />


#### IF a new lead enters your CRM system, THEN add them to your mailing list

By [connecting your CRM and email marketing tool](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/crm/), you can ensure that data for new leads immediately syncs to the right places.

PieSync is designed to solve IF/THEN rules like this. For instance: *if* a contact is in HubSpot, *then* sync the contact two-ways between HubSpot and Mailchimp:

![HubSpot and Mailchimp two-way integration](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/0xpGilIBIZWCt13L9G1P9/f74a854695271ef171667fcf86ebcea3/image__7_.png)

&nbsp;

#### IF a customer completes an order, THEN give them a discount code

If you're using a popular ecommerce platform such as [WooCommerce](https://woocommerce.com/posts/post-purchase-email-automation/#) or [Shopify](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/promoting-marketing/discount-codes/create-discount-codes), you benefit from a built-in option to send automated emails via your integrated email service provider. 

Sending automated discount codes is an easy IF/THEN rule to reward your store customers and encourage them to come back. Here are some more ideas to automate your ecommerce business:

<RelatedPost slug="15-ways-to-automate-your-ecommerce-business" />

#### IF a contact does not wish to be contacted, THEN change their subscription status in other tools

When you [connect your email marketing tool with your other marketing apps](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/email-marketing/), you can keep subscription status updated between them in real time.

For instance: *if* a contact is marked "Do not contact" in Pipedrive, *then* update their subscription status in Mailchimp. This provides an easy way to adhere to GDPR policies and respect your audience's contact preferences.

Here's an example of using PieSync to only sync contacts that want to be contacted with Mailchimp:

![Pipedrive and Mailchimp sync for GDPR](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/1mK2jKpq1Mlf38viJxLalP/db2d34fab7769e680a07e645031d27a5/image__8_.png)

----

**Integrate your apps with PieSync to use IF/THEN rules that boost productivity**

What's PieSync? It's a two-way syncing solution that keeps the right data perfectly connected between your favorite business apps, like your CRM and email marketing platform.

With IF/THEN rules that determine how your apps sync, PieSync lets your business tools talk to each other and exchange data based on clear conditions you set. 

[Get started with a free trial](https://app.piesync.com/signup/) to automate more of your day-to-day workflows and create a more productive business with customer data syncing.

<Button text="Try PieSync for free" href="https://app.piesync.com/signup/" />


We use "if-this-then-that" rules everywhere in our daily lives and decisions. But what about our businesses? Here’s how to use them for max productivity.

Customer Service

Ecommerce

How to use IF/THEN rules for a more productive business

if then rules for a more productive business

Business Process Automation

Marketing automation

Process Improvement

Time saving

Scoro

![Scoro integration](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/4ZEdflcO7MfZ7g6y8oZ9WC/14a2d0ebcd1f4948af7ce7a0bee9ee93/Scoro-Launch.png)

[Scoro](https://www.scoro.com/) is an end-to-end project & business management solution which allows professional and creative services to control their entire workflow from one place.

Within your Scoro account, you can manage the most important areas of your business. One of the great things about having a central platform covering different processes is that it provides a complete view of your customer. 

But if you are using other apps next to Scoro, how do you keep them all together?

Integration is one of the main challenges companies are currently facing. Native integrations and zaps work perfectly if you need one-way pushes (from one app to the other one). 

For two-way synchronization, you got PieSync. 

> The best benefit of PieSync is accurate data. Once I turn on my 2-way sync, every change I make will be replicated back and forth. - Andrew Caton, RE/MAX Realtor


## What's two-way synchronization? 

Most apps are not natively integrated. This means you have to work out a way to get contact data from one app to another. A two-way or bidirectional sync means that whenever you add or modify your customers’ information in one tool, you’ll have it automatically up-to-date the in the other one, and vice versa.

That helps you [avoid data silos](https://www.piesync.com/blog/data-silos-what-they-are-what-causes-them-and-how-to-fix-them/). Plus, PieSync keeps in mind historical data to make sure you don’t overwrite contacts or have incomplete databases.

From now on, you can connect Scoro to all these apps: 

<Widget type="piesync-widget" left="scoro" size="compact" />


__Every Wednesday, PieSync releases a new application. If the business tool you are using is not available yet, go to the pipeline and [vote for the app you need.](https://www.piesync.com/connections/)We'll add it to our pipeline.__

# Key PieSync features for Scoro users 

### Intelligent Syncing 

Sync according to your contacts attributes, categories, lists, etc. This allows you to maintain your segmentation across apps for marketing, sales and support purposes.

It works with an intuitive “If–*this*–then–*that*” set of rules, enabling you to accomplish complex automatic workflows across different applications.

![](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/4n4ezVTnkNfQhB1WnKB17J/31f72db795325413311ea2fa3d40fafd/screen-shot-2020-03-26-at-08-49-17.png)

## Custom Mapping 

The PieSync dashboard will show common contact fields: first name, last name, email address, etc. These are mapped by default. Additionally, you can map other custom-made fields. 


![Google contacts integration with scoro](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/5tnZVgva3rTSt5NrPNDcg1/a624f47d42db9ae3e269cb6cf261e5b5/Screenshot_2020-05-20_at_14.08.46.png)

Additionally, you can map other custom-made fields. 

![](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/425OHstEXyFySu6PP13qqz/aa4bdf9641ecead38cf223a3ba57347a/screen-shot-2020-03-26-at-08-49-55.png)


## The setup is super easy! 

<Embed src="https://youtu.be/XHVFqaiy6oo" />

__Do you need help setting up your sync? [Here’s everything you need to know about it.](https://www.piesync.com/help/connector-apps/scoro/)__

<Button text="Start your sync!" href="https://www.piesync.com/scoro/" />

# Other Benefits

### Add Teams

You can add your entire team to your PieSync account. This means everyone can access the most up to date data when they need it most.

Multiple plans to scale your business growth
We have multiple plans to suit businesses of all sizes. When your business grows, you can simply upgrade to the next plan.

### Avoid Duplicates

PieSync hates duplicates just as much as you do. We eliminate duplicates by matching contacts based on their email addresses.


PieSync's two-way sync is now available for Scoro! Have your contacts in sync between 227 business tools. Discover everything about this amazing integration solution right here.

Contact Management

Integrate Scoro with other applications bidirectionally and in real time

Scoro integration

Now PieSync supports Scoro: Have your contacts in sync with 227 other apps

FreshBooks

Xero

Quickbooks

FreeAgent

Wave

![small business accounting software](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/3w1KlBuSD1dy9z6KAcHBEY/fe015e5d98f5df8e0ef07371dbf9a6e9/kelly-sikkema-M98NRBuzbpc-unsplash.jpg)

Whether you love it or loathe it, accounting is a huge part of your small business - especially when you're just starting out and you're wearing multiple hats, including one with Chief Financial Officer written on it. 

Although accounting can be a drag, it really doesn't have to be. With the huge range of powerful cloud-based apps that do the accounting heavy lifting for you, it's never been easier to focus on the areas of your business where you have the most impact. 

To free up even more time, the most effective small business owners **sync their cloud-based accounting software to the rest of their software stack** using integrations.

Here's our guide to getting the most out of your accounting software with a great tool _and_ integrations with the rest of your software stack.

### Choosing accounting software for your small business

It all starts with choosing the best accounting software for your small business. There are so many systems on the market: [FreshBooks](https://www.piesync.com/freshbooks/), [QuickBooks](https://www.piesync.com/quickbooks/), [FreeAgent](https://www.piesync.com/freeagent/), [Zoho Books](https://www.piesync.com/zohobooks/)... so which one should you choose?

You'll likely be comparing accounting systems on some of the following criteria, depending on what matters most to your business:

* Price
* Invoicing
* Payments
* Expenses and bills
* Inventory
* Bank reconciliation
* Projects
* Multi-currency support
* Tax return support
* Time tracking
* Support

Early in your software testing process, form an idea of what you really need from your accounting tool. 

If you want a software that your accountant will happily work with, many partner with [QuickBooks](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/global/) in the US and [Xero](https://www.piesync.com/xero/) in Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

If you're a freelancer or own a [digital agency](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/digital-agency/), time tracking might be important, so you can accurately invoice your clients per hour. [FreshBooks](https://www.freshbooks.com/) handles this beautifully. 

If you invoice businesses in different currencies, multi-currency support might matter to you, which [FreeAgent](https://www.freeagent.com/) is a great solution for – especially if you're in the UK or Europe.

To help you on your search for the best software, we've created **in-depth comparison posts of the most popular accounting software on the market:**

* [FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks: which is the best accounting tool?](https://www.piesync.com/blog/freshbooks-vs-quickbooks-which-is-the-best-accounting-tool/)
* [Comparing Xero vs. QuickBooks Online: what’s the best cloud accounting tool for your business?](https://www.piesync.com/blog/xero-vs-quickbooks-online/)
* [Wave vs. QuickBooks: which is the best accounting tool?](https://www.piesync.com/blog/wave-vs-quickbooks-which-is-the-best-accounting-tool/)

### How to get the most out of your small business accounting software

If you've chosen one of the accounting tools mentioned in this list (or any other popular choice), you'll have a **cloud-based accounting system** that's accessible on any device and instantly updated by the provider when a new release rolls around.

Another great benefit of cloud-based tools is the possibility to quickly integrate your other favorite business tools. While you should choose tools for your business that are individually strong, they'll be even stronger together.

There are **three main ways** you can integrate your accounting software with your other apps:

1. With a native integration, such as those in [Xero's App Marketplace](https://apps.xero.com/)
2. With a custom integration built by your own team, but this is very costly and time-consuming
3. With an iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) solution, [like PieSync](https://www.piesync.com/why/)

If available for the apps you want to connect, native integrations can be a great solution. You can share many types of data from your accounting software with your other business tools, such as invoices, inventory, reports and customer details. 

However, several businesses find themselves needing a more thorough sync that **updates data in real time and bidirectionally between apps**, since many native integrations don't really provide a two-way sync. This is especially the case for customer data. For this, iPaaS steps in.

<RelatedPost slug="what-is-ipaas-a-guide-to-getting-started-and-best-practices" />

**[Using an iPaaS solution](https://www.piesync.com/why/) keeps your data perfectly up-to-date and synchronized across your tech stack.**

This is the ideal solution for syncing your accounting software to your other apps. After all, there's no use connecting your customer information from one app if it's outdated. That will cause more harm than good!

With bidirectional contact syncing, your data flows two-ways between your small business's tools. Whenever you add or update contact information in one app, like your accounting software, it's instantly updated in another app, like your CRM. [You can quickly achieve this with PieSync](https://www.piesync.com/).

To start getting your software stack connected, here are some of the **best tools to sync with your accounting software:**

* Your [CRM](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/crm/)
* Your [email marketing tool](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/email-marketing/)
* Other [billing and payment tools](https://www.piesync.com/connections/billing-invoicing/)
* Your [customer support software](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/customer-support/)


[Get started with a PieSync free trial](https://app.piesync.com/signup/) to make the most of your small business accounting software by integrating your other favorite apps.

<Button text="Try PieSync for free" href="https://app.piesync.com/signup/" />

As a small business, you can’t avoid accounting. But you can make it as seamless as possible by smoothly integrating your accounting tool with the rest of your app stack. Here's how to do that.

Accounting & Finance

Freelancing

How to sync your small business accounting software with your favorite apps

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How to integrate your accounting software with your app stack

Contact sharing

Salesforce

![hubspot vs salesforce yellow](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/7BQ5DjsdRU4ZHhZxxNxg8G/dad159194c82aeb16e25e4f409b00da1/hubspot_vs_salesforce_yellow.png)

If we asked you to think of a CRM, there’s a high chance you’ll say [Salesforce](https://www.salesforce.com/). They’ve dominated the space for years, especially for larger enterprise customers. But they’re not the only customer relationship management system out there. 

One of the best alternatives to Salesforce is [HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com/products/sales), with 75,000+ users in 120 countries. Rather than striving to fill a niche, HubSpot has won its uniqueness by providing customers with an all-in-one system with the company’s inbound marketing philosophy at its heart.

When should a company use Salesforce or HubSpot? And how can you decide whether Salesforce or HubSpot is better for your business?

If you’re deciding between Salesforce or HubSpot, you will likely have a mid-sized or established business that needs something more than most of the [CRMs on the market for small businesses](https://www.piesync.com/blog/the-best-crms-for-small-businesses-pros-cons-and-what-you-need-to-know/). If your business is still small, focus on [HubSpot: it’s better for small businesses that want to scale in future](https://www.campaigncreators.com/blog/hubspot-vs-klaviyo-side-by-side-email-marketing-software-review). If your business is midsize or growing fast, either HubSpot or Salesforce could be a good fit for you.

Nearly all businesses can benefit from a good CRM system (the exception: if your business has almost no data about leads, customers or sales to store). Here’s our comparison of two of the biggest players: HubSpot vs. Salesforce.

<RelatedPost slug="the-best-crms-for-small-businesses-pros-cons-and-what-you-need-to-know" />

---

## 1. Cost

__HubSpot’s basic CRM is famously free,__ and you can choose which of their Sales, Marketing and Service Hubs to add on top. Their basic Sales Starter plans are $25/month. After this, prices rise steeply: it’s $80/user/month for the Professional plan, and $120/user/month for the Enterprise plan (billed annually). [See HubSpot pricing here.](https://www.hubspot.com/pricing/sales)

__How expensive is Salesforce? The short answer: expensive.__  Although they have a $25/user/month [Essentials plan](https://essentials.salesforce.com/resources/why-crm-is-better-than-spreadsheets/), this isn’t going to get you far. Like HubSpot, their basic plan for their Sales Cloud (the core CRM) is a “land and expand” tactic. To get the functionality you need, you’re likely to soon see yourself paying $150/user/month for their Lightning Enterprise plan for the Sales Cloud. 

For their Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud and other automation and integration features, you'll need to add these separately to your package. [See Salesforce pricing here.](https://www.salesforce.com/editions-pricing/overview/)

__The verdict?__ If you’re on a tight budget or concerned about cost, Salesforce isn’t right for you. Salesforce has a lot of extra costs that add up over time (just check out [this price comparison from HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com/products/sales/salesforce-vs-hubspot) for an example). HubSpot’s pricing grows with your business  and its total cost of ownership (including implementation, support and training) is a fraction of Salesforce’s cost over time.

---

## 2. Overall feature sets

In May 2018, __Salesforce was named [the #1 CRM for the fifth consecutive year](https://investor.salesforce.com/about-us/investor/investor-news/investor-news-details/2018/Salesforce-Named-1-CRM-Provider-for-Fifth-Consecutive-Year/default.aspx)__ according to IDC data. That should be [taken with a pinch of salt](https://www.realstorygroup.com/Blog/3266-Salesforce-and-the-Real-Story-on-CRM-Marketshare) – although Salesforce is the king of CRMs, it’s not for all businesses.

Salesforce deserves its reputation as a sterling CRM for enterprise-level businesses. In terms of functionality, Salesforce offers more customization than HubSpot as a CRM. But not all businesses need all of the features, complexity and level of customization that Salesforce offers.

__HubSpot ticks a lot of boxes,__ and the system provides tools for social media marketing, content management, web analytics, landing pages and search engine optimization. That’s a lot in one place. HubSpot does it well, however, and its customers have a tool that can grow with their business and fill gaps when and if they need them.

HubSpot coined [the inbound marketing methodology](https://www.hubspot.com/inbound-marketing), a technique for drawing customers to products and services via content marketing, SEO and branding. This philosophy infuses HubSpot’s own product and services. If your business also has a heavy focus on content marketing, HubSpot may well be a good fit for you – both in terms of product and ethos.

![IM-marketing-hub-tools](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/5lv1GQkRgAi1QlzDJYlf4j/8af734fe0c352c29b7eb790a278ac46b/IM-marketing-hub-tools.png)

__The verdict?__ In terms of functionality and customization, Salesforce is better than HubSpot as a CRM. But there are many businesses that don’t need anywhere near all the features that Salesforce offers. Also, if you’re a business with a focus on content marketing or need a strong link between sales and marketing, try HubSpot.

---

## 3. Automation

[Automation is playing a more important role in businesses](https://www.piesync.com/blog/why-you-should-automate-your-sales-besides-selling-more/) than ever before. It’s never been easier to let your tools work for you, especially when it comes to your CRM system.

Salesforce has Einstein, its own built-in artificial intelligence to help you work more intelligently. With the add-on, you can set up completely automated processes to take contacts from new lead to onboarded customer and beyond. According to their [2018 report](https://www.salesforce.com/company/news-press/stories/2018/2/022818-a/), Salesforce Einstein now generates more than 1 billion predictions a day for their customers.

![EinsteinDiscovery](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/2fvC8o25OkwxIEuoluBZUA/659db40e651835ab688d164576ad8d59/EinsteinDiscovery.png)

HubSpot has a comprehensive feature set for automation, including workflows that you can build around any contact, company, deal and ticket values (although the latter two still have some teething issues). If you want to create internal or customer-facing “if this, then that” actions, HubSpot has your back. Some automation features are gated behind their Enterprise plan, including predictive lead scoring, recurring revenue tracking and custom event triggers.

__The verdict?__ HubSpot offers more than enough automation for most mid-sized businesses. As with most features offered by both tools, if you need enterprise-level standard you will probably be more impressed by Salesforce.

---

## 4. Reporting and analytics

If you’re a mid-sized to enterprise level business, reporting and analytics will matter to you.

Analytics isn’t HubSpot’s strong suit, and larger teams may find themselves asking how accurate the data it gives you really is. Their [Reporting add-on](https://www.hubspot.com/products/marketing/reporting-add-on) fills some of the gaps, allowing you to create dashboards of any and all properties you want to track against each other.

HubSpot’s campaign features also have room for improvement. It’s still difficult to build an accurate view of which contacts come from which campaigns, and track the effectiveness of your content and channels. One Capterra review explains how they use the HubSpot and Salesforce integration to get around this: *“It is not perfect attribution, but it does tell us what content is "influencing" who becomes a customer. The integration with Salesforces and the syncing of campaigns to Salesforce helps us track that.”*

__The verdict?__ Salesforce wins on reporting and analytics. One of the main benefits of integrating Salesforce and HubSpot would be to improve the accuracy of your data, but this is likely a costly way of doing things.

<RelatedPost slug="5-crm-reports-to-help-you-tame-the-big-data-beast" />

---

## 5. Collaboration between functions (sales, marketing, support)

Salesforce and HubSpot aren’t tools to be used in a silo. When you place them at the centre of your business and ensure that everyone knows how to use them, you’ll get the most results.

Both HubSpot and Salesforce have the functionality for sales, marketing and support teams, and you can layer their features and plans to create the mix you need. Right now, HubSpot offers the most user-friendly sync between sales and marketing departments. Their Service Hub still has a lot of room to grow, so you might still be better served integrating a more comprehensive tool like Intercom for your support tickets.

__The verdict?__ HubSpot provides an easy gateway to getting your sales and marketing teams on the same page. Its software for support teams is not quite there yet, unless you’re a smaller business.

---

## 6. Scalability

You need to know that your CRM can grow with you. That’s one of the best things about the HubSpot CRM system: you can start with a completely free plan, and upgrade as and when your business grows, in the specific areas where you need more functionality. Most users are unlikely to hit many ceilings if you’re willing to pay for top-tier enterprise functionality. Some specific use cases may eventually run into a few issues if you’re in need of high levels of customization.

With Salesforce, there is no end to the potential to scale and customize the software for your business. It’s designed for huge companies that have a long list of niche requests, including current known requirements and unknown future needs.

__The verdict:__ both tools will grow with you, but the sky’s the limit with Salesforce.

---

## 7. Implementation & support

You can get signed up for the HubSpot free CRM in a matter of minutes. Without needing a paid plan, you can import all of your contacts as a CSV, match their existing fields to standard and existing HubSpot properties (e.g. lifecycle stage, deal won date, renewal date, account manager) and start organizing your pipeline. 

Salesforce offers a 14-day free trial, but it’s just that: a trial. Eventually you’ll need to decide if you can afford a paid plan. With HubSpot, you’ll always have the free CRM. With Salesforce, you’re also likely to require an in-house Salesforce specialist or time with one of their experts, which is an added cost.

Anyone has access to HubSpot’s wealth of free content resources, and they also have the comprehensive [HubSpot Academy](https://academy.hubspot.com/) to improve your business know-how. Salesforce has the comparative [Trailhead](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/home) e-learning hub, but with HubSpot’s inbound marketing ethos, it’s not surprising that they win on content. 

As a HubSpot paid customer, you’ll have access to their 24/7 phone support and support tickets with email responses. They also offer live chat. On the whole, your problems will be listened to and solved by HubSpot.

Each Salesforce plan includes a Standard support package, with a two-day response time to your inquiries. For critical response times, you’ll need to pay extra for their Premier plan or above. You can [see all Salesforce support plans here.](https://www.salesforce.com/services/success-plans/overview/)

__The verdict?__ HubSpot wins for providing the best quality and least costly customer support.

---

## 8. Integrations

Most businesses are using a multitude of different tools and services, which can lead to [scattered data and productivity loss](https://www.piesync.com/blog/top-5-problems-with-big-data-and-how-to-solve-them/) if you don’t have integrations in place. This is especially the case when it comes to your CRM, where the bulk of your data is held. Fortunately, both HubSpot and Salesforce have a great range of integrations.

[HubSpot Integrations Library](https://www.hubspot.com/integrations) has 400+ out-of-the-box integrations that are simple to set up with other apps you use often, like Jira, Mailchimp or Slack. [Salesforce AppExchange](https://appexchange.salesforce.com/category/integration) has 181 apps, 123 of which are paid.

You can also hire developers to help you create custom integrations, but there are easier options. PieSync offers integrations between [HubSpot](https://www.piesync.com/hubspot/), [Salesforce](https://www.piesync.com/salesforce/) and 200+ apps, and uses a two-way contact sync to keep your data updated in real time. This makes integrating your tools much easier and straightforward.

__The verdict?__ HubSpot is our winner here, with the highest number of out-of-the-box integrations. For both CRMs, [PieSync](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/crm/) makes streamlining your workflows much easier via two-way contact syncs between your business tools.

---

## 9. Adoption & reviews

As of May 2020,  HubSpot has 75,000 users in 120 countries (according to their homepage). Salesforce, in comparison, has over 150,000 customers according to their [2018 Annual Report](https://s1.q4cdn.com/454432842/files/doc_financials/2018/Salesforce-FY18-Annual-Report.pdf), with an [estimated 25 subscribers](https://www.salesinsideinc.com/services-details/salesforce-customers-list) (or individual users) per customer.

On Capterra in May 2020, HubSpot has a [4.5/5 rating](https://www.capterra.com/p/152373/HubSpot-CRM/) for their CRM based on 2526 reviews. HubSpot Marketing also has a [4.5/5 rating](https://www.capterra.com/p/171840/HubSpot-Marketing/), this time based on 4167 opinions. Salesforce, unsurprisingly, wins on the sheer number of reviews: 14,294 with a [4.4/5](https://www.capterra.com/p/61368/Salesforce/) average rating.

__The verdict?__ Salesforce still wins on adoption and market share. In terms of reviews, we’ll call it a draw.

---

## Our verdict: HubSpot vs. Salesforce

So, when should you choose Salesforce or HubSpot as your CRM? 

As a rule of thumb, if __you want to stay lean__, choose HubSpot.

Choose Salesforce if you __need a highly customizable CRM__ solution, or will in future.

If you’re __worried about cost__, Salesforce probably isn’t for you.

If you need __tip-top reporting and analytics__, look closer at Salesforce than HubSpot.

__Can HubSpot replace Salesforce?__ In some cases, definitely. If your business wants to stay lean but still have a lot of scope to grow, we’re more likely to recommend HubSpot than Salesforce to you.

For some businesses, you might even want to use both HubSpot and Salesforce and set up the integration between the two tools. Though HubSpot and Salesforce are competitors and some features may overlap, some businesses can benefit from using both tools in their organization for different yet complementary purposes.

One Capterra review explains: “HubSpot integrates with our Salesforce CRM, and provides valuable information to our sales staff, which can help them better help our customers/potential customers. We assign leads that come through HubSpot and feed into Salesforce for personal follow-up”. Another review mentioned integrating their Salesforce API for accurate lead scoring.

For most businesses, however, it’s going to be a choice between HubSpot and Salesforce. Migrating CRMs isn’t easy, so aim to __choose a system that can cover you for the long term__. Think about your plans for the next few years and if HubSpot or Salesforce can tick those boxes. Then, make use of the free trials available and assess the features that are really important to your business.


When should a company use Salesforce or HubSpot? And how can you decide whether Salesforce or HubSpot is better for your business? Check out this detailed article about these two popular applications to make the right decision.

HubSpot vs. Salesforce: which CRM should you choose? 

hubspot vs salesforce yellow

![Working from home as a parent](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/4ScE6B0uIpIdxqyIja3jcG/2f3d552080970f7d8dd8e1e823b34910/charles-deluvio-usxGRltb0Rk-unsplash-min.jpg)

Working from home can sound like a dream for many people. You get to enjoy more time in your house, you cut out the commute, and you get to see much more of your family.

But the flip side has some not-so-dreamy realities, especially for parents having to balance work and childcare: a difficulty to focus; having to juggle work with lookind after children and, in some cases, homeschooling them; blurry lines between work time and personal time, and kids lobbying for your undivided attention when you need to GSD.

On the least glamorous WFH days, you might feel like you've got no work done _and_ you've been a bad parent.

Juggling work and looking after kids can be done... but it does require a recalibration of expectations and working styles.

To make your remote work reality more functional, here are some of our top tips for parents working from home.

&nbsp;

### 1. Focus on the positives

Although some parents work from home by choice, others have had to unexpectedly adjust to this new reality.

This situation comes with its own challenges,  but we can all find some advantages in working from home – whether that's avoiding the daily commute, having more time with the family, being home for dinner, or proximity to the fridge.

It won’t always be easy, but focusing on the positives (and reminding yourself of what you're avoiding in the office) can help enormously on stressful days.

&nbsp;

### 2. Adjust your schedule

Just like kids, adults thrive on routines and work much more efficiently when we have a schedule.

Having a WFH routine helps us to stay focused and avoid the productivity lulls that come with multitasking or battling constant interruptions.

To add more structure and predictability to your day, create a morning routine and be strict about it whenever possible. When it's wakeup time, get up and prep for the day as you would before going to the office. Then head to your home office, whatever this looks like to you, and get into a state of mind for work.

To optimize the rest of your day, adjust your work schedule to allow for home life, whether this includes breaks to relax or time to catch up on chores and take over childcare. 

If you can, take advantage of a flexible schedule and come up with a routine that works for you and your kids - but remember that you can always adjust it to accommodate daily changes.

In our collection of [remote work tips from our team](https://www.piesync.com/blog/piesync-tips-for-working-from-home/), we shared this great tip:

> Create a schedule with the people you live with. I work in the AM, watch kids (aged two and four) in the PM, and my husband does the opposite.

<RelatedPost slug="piesync-tips-for-working-from-home" />

&nbsp;


### 3. Be upfront with your colleagues

While there are many steps parents can take to maintain their productivity while working from home, _disruptions will still happen_. Your kids will run into your office, throw a tantrum during a Zoom call, or require you to help with an emergency in the house. 

The worst thing you can do is pretend everything is fine, approach work the same way you did in an office, and insist you don't need any help.

Be upfront with your team about what working from home will look like for you and think about what requests you can make to make it easier and more productive. This might be an adjusted schedule that allows for more flexibility, or just a bit of extra patience.

![BBC reporter working from home](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/6K3bLbFgPRyiFjDVaqNAzI/0c5d705e5ca7892ab80a0671d04e6626/giphy.gif)

&nbsp;

### 4. Optimize your workspace for focus

Although you don't have to stick to this 100% of the time, assign one area of the house as your dedicated workspace.

This makes it easier to limit distractions and focus on work without having it seep into personal life. 

When you start your work day by arriving at your dedicated workspace with a coffee and wearing daytime clothes, you let your mind know that _this is the time and space where you start working_.

Ideally, this would be a separate room that you can turn into a home office. But if that’s not an option, try to find a non-communal corner of your home to turn into your workspace. Agree with everyone in your household the rules for when and how they can get your attention.

Parents can also get their kids to help out designing homemade office signs, with green for "yes, you're allowed in" and red for "don't even think about it."

<RelatedPost slug="increase-focus-at-work" />

&nbsp;

### 5. Work in short bursts

Parents of babies and toddlers have a harder time of it than most, since you can't leave them alone.

If you're responsible for childcare, your best option may be to work in short bursts when you’re able to, such as when the children are sleeping.

But if you're lucky to be able to focus on work while your partner helps with childcare at home, design your schedule so you can come out of your office and help every so often, rather than locking yourself in all day.

&nbsp;

### 6. Nurture creative activities

Your kid probably isn't going to sit quietly and read a book all day while you're working. If you're responsible for childcare, keep your kids immersed in play by nurturing creative activities.

Rotating between different sets of toys and other activities can encourage deeper and more meaningful play while giving you a bit more time to focus. If your children aren’t used to playing independently, you can try sparking their imagination by making it into a game in its own right – one that encourages independent activities such as solving a puzzle or creating something from scratch with art materials, with a set time to show you what they've come up with.

If you're OK with your kids having some screen time while you're taking important calls or needing to focus, check educational resources like [Scholastic Learn at Home](https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html), digital games that teach things like spelling and music skills, or even [virtual museum tours](https://www.timeout.com/travel/virtual-museum-tours). 

&nbsp;

### 7. Schedule meetings wisely

Almost every parent who works at home has a few unfortunate mishaps to share. 

While a lot of this is inevitable and all you and your colleagues can do is laugh, plan for interruptions by giving your children a nonverbal ‘do not disturb’ when you’re on conference calls.

Of course, that isn’t always going to work with free-roaming toddlers, in which case it can be better to schedule calls during their normal sleep times. At times, you might just need to mute your calls or even reschedule  if you need to be on childcare duty. 


&nbsp;

### 8. Get technology on your side

The rise of cloud computing is precisely what’s enabled the surge in remote working. Instead of having to manually exchange documents or log in to user accounts on site, employees can now access the information they need to do their jobs online. 

With collaboration platforms like [Microsoft Teams](https://www.microsoft.com/en/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software), project-management software like [Trello](https://trello.com/), and web-based CRM (customer relationship management) software, it's easier than ever to get work done at home.

Whether it’s having a bit of fun setting your own video conferencing background on Zoom or taking time to create a tech stack that makes your job that much easier, choosing the right applications can make a world of difference. 

<RelatedPost slug="apps-for-working-remotely" />


&nbsp;

### 9. Know when to switch off

Mastering the work-life balance has never been more difficult. While many are quick to praise the virtues of working from home, you can also end up feeling like we’re always at work. That’s why it’s crucial to know when to switch off. 

Being a parent, chances are you’ll need to account for some flexibility when it comes to drawing up your daily schedule. Still, it’s important to set a time when you can confidently say you’re finished for the day. This naturally requires some self-discipline and expectation setting with your team, but you need to have clear boundaries to keep stress at bay.

&nbsp;

### 10. Be easy on yourself – and ask for help

If you're a parent juggling work and childcare, you deserve a medal and all of the opportunities you can get for a helping hand.

This might mean getting support from a family member, hiring someone to help with childcare, or asking your employer for flexible hours or a bit more lenience during WFH.

But above all, don't expect yourself to balance everything effortlessly and effectively all the time. Look for the opportunities to make your worklife easier, but also be kind to yourself when things don't go as planned. If things are hard to manage, try to take some time off if you can, and __remember to focus on self-care too__. It can be a stressful situation for a lot of people, so it's important to focus on your own well-being and know your limits.


Working from home with kids around? It can be done – but it does require some recalibration. Here are our best tips for finding focus when working from home as a parent.

The PieSync Blog

GetResponse vs. AWeber: which email marketing tool is best in 2020?

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