If your current payroll service has cumbersome processes that take too much time, are expensive, or are inaccuracy-prone, it’s time to make a switch. Look for a payroll provider that offers state-of-the-art technology and seamless integration applications.
Ensure it integrates easily with your accounting software and other HR management or recruiting services. It saves you time and effort as your company grows.
Pricing
Most payroll services offer standard packages based on number of employees. Adding more employees will drive up costs. Some also offer tiers with added features like mobile apps and employee portals. Review the cost of each package against your list of payroll needs to find a provider that is a good fit for your business.
If your business uses contractors or pays hourly workers, you will want to choose a service that handles those payments. Some providers have separate software for hourly and salaried employees, but others offer integrated solutions that allow you to pay both simultaneously.
Look for reviews on third-party websites and talk to other small business owners about their experiences using payroll services. User experience is crucial, and you want to avoid signing up for a service that requires a lot of training or has a difficult-to-navigate interface. You can also get a sense of a provider’s quality from how many customer support tickets they receive and how quickly they are addressed.
Features
Payroll services can vary widely, so finding a provider that offers the features your business needs is essential. Start by listing your core requirements and comparing them with what providers offer. For instance, if you need direct deposit options for your employees or the ability to print checks, ensure the company you select can meet those demands.
Also, consider whether the payroll service supports 1099 or remote workers. If so, you’ll want to choose a provider that can support international tax filings and has a self-onboarding feature that allows new hires to pull their paystubs online.
Roll is one of our favorite payroll providers for small businesses because of its user-friendly platform and fast direct deposit times. It’s also available on mobile devices, making it easy for your team members to access and manage their information from any location. Other great features of Roll include automatic tax payments, W2 and 1099 management, and industry-specific functionality for restaurants (such as tip tracking). It’s important to note that no payroll service is a one-size-fits-all solution, so be sure the software meets the needs of your business before you make a purchase.
Security
As a small business owner, you must promptly ensure your team members receive their pay. Using a payroll service can reduce the chance of manual calculations going wrong while ensuring that your employees receive their payments on time.
The best online payroll services provide a variety of features, including employee self-service and direct deposit capabilities, while helping with HR tasks like new-hire reporting and background checks. Look for a payroll solution that integrates with your accounting software and other systems in the workplace to save on manual record-keeping efforts.
When shopping for a payroll service, ask providers about security measures they have in place to protect customer data. The top payroll solutions offer encrypted data transmissions, multifactor authentication, and disaster recovery plans to keep your information safe from unauthorized access.
Integrations
An online payroll service can integrate with your other business systems to simplify data sharing. It can be helpful if you have multiple systems of record or need to incorporate data after an acquisition. Some integrations are natively within the software, while others can be built using a go-between. The latter option can be costlier and requires time from technical employees who may have other priorities in their roles.
When selecting a payroll provider, you want to ensure it can integrate with the software your company already uses and any new applications you might consider. Some of the most popular integrations include a POS system, employee scheduling, time-tracking software, and accounting tools.
You also want to ensure the payroll provider can integrate with your mobile devices so managers and employees can access information from any location anytime.
Some services also offer an employee self-service portal where employees can update their withholdings or view pay stubs. It is another feature that can save your team much time and frustration.
Customer Support
A good payroll service should make it easy to contact a representative for help, with phone or chat support available during business hours. When comparing options, check for customer reviews and how long it takes to get an answer.
Some online payroll services offer additional HR services, like onboarding tools and employee health benefits management. Others have features for paying contractors and freelancers, and some offer international coverage.
It’s crucial to pick a payroll service built for your business’s size. Many payroll software companies advertise their solution as ideal for a specific number of employees. If you expect your company to grow in the future, look for options that can scale up and down as needed. You also want to determine whether the payroll service you choose will comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Some providers even guarantee their work and will cover penalties if they make a mistake.
