Networking apps are making it easier for people to connect with one another in the business world.  According to Tim O’Reilly, founder of O’Reilly Media, says that social networks can help people balance the access and influence of large networks with the benefits of small networks.

There are a lot of apps that are available for busy professionals. These apps are judged by how much they cost; is it worth the price? Another thing that is judged is the quality of the app; does it have a lot of advertisements in the app, does it constantly shut down, etc. An important feature is the originality of the app; what makes it stand out from the rest?

1. Cityhour: Best inside app

Cityhour is the professional best kept secret. It syncs with a LinkedIn profile and connects the person with other professionals looking to meet face-to-face to talk shop.

Michelle Harris; a marketer who specializes in social media marketing, swears by this app: “It helps you easily arrange in-person meetings with likeminded professionals or clients using common interests such as industry, location or objectives. This powerful business networking app lets you know the people that are willing to meet in-person.”

I love this app because it makes approaching someone much easier than asking someone to meet you directly on LinkedIn or email. You know already that these people are serious about their business.

2. Bumble Bizz: Best for business women who want to make the first move

This app has caught a lot of attention with professionals. With their app, Bumble, being such a success for singles, the company thought the next best thing was to connect professionals with one another. Allowing women to make the first move, Bumble Bizz enables their audience to swipe to find connections to network with Bumble’s 20 million users. Bumble Bizz noticed that their target audience sometimes felt uncomfortable with other apps that have men starting conversations with them first. That is why this app has their women audience connect with their counterparts first.

Toby Walk, who works for Business Professionals for app reviews, said: “Some other apps seem to have lots and lots of people that most definitely have something in their closet that’s hard to deal with, but this app seems to have lots of users that are relationship material and are very near to you. Women seem to enjoy the concept of writing first as opposed to being inundated with messages from perverts and people they do not match with.”

3. Aloqa: Best for local availability and business travelers

This app utilizes a phone’s GPS in order to determine where someone is located, and recommends popular events, activities, and even restaurants to dine at in the region. Potentially, a professional could simply meet a prospect or connect at one of these locations.

Damien McFerran; a writer who specializes in app reviews said: “It’s by far the most streamlined app of its kind we’ve yet witnessed and has been designed to make finding what you want as quick and painless as possible.”

So whether you’re new to networking or are a networking pro, I hope these technologies will make it even easier for you to strategically network and expand your relationships to help grow your business.

Content courtesy of  Lara Ashley, Founder and Editor of Brenley Magazine, Redefining what it means to be a Southern belle; an online magazine that helps women wear their crowns with grace.

Contributing Author, Lara Ashley

Lara Ashley is a multifaceted Journalist. Lara Ashley obtained her Mass Communications degree at Southern University and A&M College and is obtaining a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism in the U.K. from Cardiff University. When she’s not watching her fav reality shows (LOVES the Real Housewives franchise), spending her afternoons watching Netflix or with a good book, she’s writing and journaling.

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