QuickBooks Online is one of the most popular accounting software solutions for small businesses and entrepreneurs. With its user-friendly interface, robust features, and accessible cloud-based access, it makes managing your finances easier than ever.

If you're considering QuickBooks Online test drive for your business, taking advantage of their free 30-day test drive is a great way to get hands-on experience with the software before committing. Here's how to make the most of your QuickBooks Online test drive.

What to Know Before Starting Your QBO Test Drive

Before diving into your test drive, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

Limited Country Availability

The 30-day free trial of QuickBooks Online Test Drive is only available in certain countries: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, India, and Singapore.

Data Won't Transfer

Any data, customizations, or work done in the QBO test drive will not transfer over if you choose to subscribe to a paid QuickBooks Online test drive account after the trial.

Don't Activate a Paid Subscription

Be sure not to activate a paid subscription during the trial period, or you'll be kicked out of the test drive. Wait until the 30 days are up before subscribing.

No Bank Account Connections QuickBooks Online Test Drive

For privacy reasons, you cannot connect your actual bank accounts to the test drive trial account. You can only use dummy sample data.

Key Features to Explore

Once you've created your Quickbooks Online test drive account, dive into testing out these key features:

The Dashboard

Familiarize yourself with all the tools and info on the QuickBooks Online dashboard. Get to know the various menus and navigation options.

Customizing Invoices

Take advantage of the many invoice templates to practice creating professional customized invoices for clients.

Managing Inventory

Use the test account to simulate tracking inventory, monitoring stock levels, and analyzing surplus vs. deficit situations.

Generating Reports

QuickBooks Online offers over 80 different customizable report types. Experiment with profit and loss reports, sales reports, account reconciliation, and more.

Preparing 1099s

Practice using QuickBooks Online to prepare 1099 tax forms. You can even simulate filing them online with the IRS.

Review Key Areas Thoroughly

To fully evaluate QuickBooks Online, be sure to closely inspect these key areas during your test drive:

Ease of Use

Assess how intuitive the interface is and how easy it is to find what you need. QuickBooks Online is designed to be user-friendly for beginners.

Reporting Capabilities

Dive into the various reports to understand how customizable and robust they are. Solid reporting is crucial for informed business decisions.

Billing & Invoicing

Invoice creation and billing workflows should be smooth and flexible. Make sure QuickBooks Online can handle your unique needs.

Cash Flow Management

Test how well QuickBooks Online handles tasks like accounts receivable, accounts payable, collections, and payment processing. Seamless cash flow is vital.

Project Costing

If you bill by project, test how QuickBooks Online handles projecting and tracking project budgets versus actuals. Granular cost data is invaluable.

Inventory Monitoring

Inventory and order management capabilities should be thoroughly tested. QuickBooks Online aims to provide complete visibility and tracking.

Support Options

Explore the live chat, email help, and extensive user manuals to assess the quality of QuickBooks Online support options.

Ensure Your Data is Secure

As you enter test data into your QuickBooks Online trial account, rest assured your information is secure. QuickBooks Online utilizes bank-level security including data encryption, rigorous certifications, and routine auditing.

For total peace of mind, you can verify any transactions made during testing directly with your bank. Transactions from QuickBooks Online will display on your bank statement as "QuickBooks: Verify Bank".

You also have the option to connect read-only bank account access during your Qbo test drive, so you can safely import real transactions without any risk.

Get Help If You Need It

Even with test dummy data, you may encounter some errors or issues as you explore QuickBooks Online. Don't hesitate to leverage their stellar customer support channels:

• In-app live chat - Get instant answers to your questions as you're using the software.
• Phone support - Call QuickBooks customer service 24/7 for personal assistance.
• User forums - Search or post questions on QuickBooks' community forum boards.
• Email support - Submit email tickets to their support team around the clock.
• Extensive manuals - Comprehensive in-product user guides answer most questions.

Continue Education with QuickBooks test drive

After your test drive, consider expanding your QuickBooks Online education through additional training resources:

• QuickBooks Online Tutorials - Easy step-by-step video tutorials within the software.
• Intuit QuickBooks Training - Paid online courses on QuickBooks fundamentals and advanced features.
• QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping - Get unlimited 1-on-1 advice from Intuit's expert bookkeepers.
• QuickBooks Help Articles - Thousands of searchable self-help articles.
• QuickBooks User Community - Connect with other users to exchange tips and tricks.

Conclusion

Test driving QuickBooks Online allows you to fully assess if it's the right accounting solution for your business needs. Taking the time to deeply explore all of its features and functionalities will ensure you get the most value out of the 30-day free trial.

Focus on your unique workflows, test complex scenarios, verify robust reporting capabilities, and ensure seamless integration with other apps. With a comprehensive hands-on evaluation, you'll feel confident in your decision when it comes time to subscribe.

So kick the tires and take QuickBooks Online out for an extensive spin! Once you sign up for the QBO test drive, you have 30 days to access and evaluate the software on your terms, at your own pace. Take advantage of this free trial to accelerate your QuickBooks Online learning.