Database design for small businesses is essential in any business so you have the information you need, quickly, when you need it. You need to supply the information you use often and then design the database to extract it, based on the parameters set. Generally, in small business, you will need customer fields as well as separate entries for product information. These systems must integrate across the database as well, to make finding the information you need easy and accurate. Database design uses complex formulas to pull the information out of the cells, as you need it.

You can have your database custom-designed by a professional or use one of the many software programs and add the fields necessary to personalize the database for your company. Look at the following when choosing small business database design services:

1. Choose a small business database designer to build your database.

2. Select small business database services software and do it yourself.

3. Choose small business database designers for special database needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use custom small business database development services to design your database

Database design on any level is intricate. Leave it to the professionals who work with general database design to come up with the best software for your company, that does what you need it to do without duplication or worthless information.

I recommend: SAI Database Experts will design and implement the database you need for your small business. They offer a host of programs and provide technical support for their products. Embarcadero offers several customized database products with a free 14-day trial.

Build a small business database from existing software

If your office manager is also computer savvy, you will save money by choosing ready-made software programs for your database needs. Customize these programs with your information to meet the needs of your organization.

I recommend: File Maker offers database software that is easy to use. Share your files over your network or over the web with co-workers or clients. Microsoft offers Access, which is a database software used by many small businesses. Download a free 60-day trial before you buy.

Create custom small business database development with special professionals

Your business has unique programs specific to your business. A general database program may not work with company-specific information that only your company needs, such as commission structure. Find the professionals who will work with your management team to design database programs specific to your company. These companies may not have to scrap your entire database design but they can and will add to it so it works with the information your company needs. Operating time to find important information quickly offsets the additional cost of creating the special database.

I recommend: Track Via offers database software that customizes to your business. It is easy to use because it functions like a spreadsheet but the complex functions make it perfect for any business. Thunder Data Systems will devise a complete database system based on your business needs. They will work with your budget and time constraints to produce the custom database you need.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to protect small business database design systems with anti-virus and mal ware programs. These programs are affordable and keep your computer running in tip-top shape.