If you’re a small business owner or an accounting professional, you’ve probably heard of QuickBooks Online (QBO). QBO is a cloud-based accounting software that can help you manage your business finances efficiently. One of the best features of QBO is its test drive option, which allows you to explore the software before committing to a subscription. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the QBO test drive, its benefits, and five solutions with seven steps to help you make the most of it.
What is QBO Test Drive?
QBO Test Drive is a free trial version of QuickBooks Online that allows you to test the software’s features before making a purchase. It’s an excellent way to evaluate the software’s capabilities and determine if it’s a good fit for your business needs. The test drive version is a replica of the actual software, but with some limitations. You can explore QBO’s core features such as invoicing, expenses, reports, and bank feeds.
Benefits of QBO Test Drive
The test drive QBO offers several benefits, including:
1. Try Before You Buy
With the test drive, you can explore the software’s features without any financial commitment. You can evaluate the software’s capabilities and determine if it’s a good fit for your business needs.
2. No Credit Card Required
You don’t need to provide any payment information to sign up for the test drive. It’s a risk-free way to explore the software.
3. Learn at Your Own Pace
With the test drive, you can explore the software at your own pace. You can test different features and functions without any time restrictions.
4. Access to a Sample Company
The test drive provides you access to a sample company with pre-populated data. You can explore the software’s features in a real-life scenario.
5. Expert Support
If you have any questions or issues while exploring the software, you can contact the QuickBooks support team for assistance.
Solutions to Use QBO Test Drive
Now that you know the benefits of Test Drive QBO, let’s explore five solutions to help you make the most of it.
Solution 1: Getting Started
Step 1: Sign Up for the Test Drive
To sign up for the QBO advanced test drive, go to the QuickBooks Online website and click on the “Free Trial” button. Fill in your email address and password, and click on “Sign Up.”
Step 2: Set Up Your Sample Company
Once you sign up, you’ll be redirected to a sample company. The sample company has pre-populated data to help you explore the software’s features.
Solution 2: Exploring the Dashboard
Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Dashboard
The QBO dashboard is the hub for all your business financial activities. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the dashboard’s features, such as the income tracker, account balances, and recent transactions.
Step 2: Customize the Dashboard
You can customize the dashboard to show the information that’s most relevant to your business. Click on the “Customize” button and select the widgets that you want to display on your dashboard.
Solution 3: Creating Invoices
Step 1: Set Up Your Invoice Template
QBO allows you to create custom invoice templates that reflect your brand’s personality. To set up your invoice template, go to the “Gear” icon and select “Custom Form Styles.” From there, click on “New Style” and choose “Invoice.” You can then select a pre-designed template or create a new one from scratch. Add your business logo and customize the color scheme to match your brand.
Step 2: Create Your Invoice
To create an invoice, click on the “+” icon and select “Invoice.” Fill in the customer details, product or service details, and pricing information. Once you’re done, you can save and send the invoice directly from QBO.
Solution 4: Managing Expenses
Step 1: Set Up Expense Categories
Before you start tracking your expenses in QBO, you’ll need to set up expense categories. Go to the “Gear” icon and select “Chart of Accounts.” Click on “New” and choose “Expense” as the account type. From there, you can add categories such as rent, office supplies, and travel expenses.
Step 2: Record Your Expenses
To record an expense, go to the “+” icon and select “Expense.” Choose the expense category, fill in the details, and attach a receipt if necessary. Once you’re done, click on “Save and Close” to add the expense to your records.
Solution 5: Generating Reports
Step 1: Choose a Report
QBO offers several reports that can help you analyze your business finances. To access the reports, go to the “Reports” tab and choose the report that you want to generate. Popular reports include profit and loss, QuickBooks balance sheet, and cash flow statements.
Step 2: Customize the Report
You can customize the report to show the information that’s most relevant to your business. Click on the “Customize” button and choose the date range, filters, and columns that you want to include. Once you’re done, click on “Run Report” to generate the customized report.
Conclusion
QBO Test Drive is an excellent way to explore the software’s features before committing to a subscription. With the benefits of the test drive and the five solutions with seven steps provided in this article, you can make the most of QBO’s capabilities and efficiently manage your business finances. Sign up for the test drive QBO today and see how it can benefit your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 What features are available in QBO Test Drive?
QBO Test Drive includes most of the features available in a regular QBO subscription, such as invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and reporting. However, some features may be limited or unavailable in the test drive version.
Q.2 How long can I use the QBO Test Drive?
QBO advanced Test Drive is available for 30 days from the time you sign up. After that, you’ll need to purchase a subscription to continue using QBO.
Q.3 Can I import my data from another accounting software to QBO Test Drive?
Unfortunately, data import isn’t available in QBO Test Drive. You’ll need to sign up for a regular QBO subscription to import your data from another accounting software.
Q.4 Can I access QBO Test Drive on my mobile device?
Yes, you can access Test Drive QBO on any device with an internet connection, including mobile devices. However, some features may be limited or unavailable on mobile devices.