Launching a small business is no mean feat. A successful business takes time, patience, hard work and integrity. However, as technology advances, certain aspects of running a business become exceptionally easier to manage. From the improved efficiency of systems to online marketing campaigns, there are multiple ways for you, as a business owner, to harness the power of technology to your advantage.
Connect With Customers
Online marketing outreach tactics allow you to connect with more potential customers than ever before. Before the advance of the Internet, small businesses relied on tangible marketing tactics such as in-person networking. In contrast, you are now more likely to connect with your target audience through social media and search engine optimisation, boosting sales and encouraging customer loyalty.
Productivity Apps
During 2020, remote working quickly became the norm, forcing technology to accommodate our needs rapidly. Even now, face-to-face communication is not always possible. For small businesses with multiple employees and associates, workplace productivity apps such as Slack and Basecamp allow you to manage projects effectively and communicate with your team from your smartphone. Most workplace productivity apps are free to download and relatively user-friendly.
Social Media
The power of social media simply cannot be underestimated. While many of us spend our spare time scrolling through platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, small businesses can utilise algorithms to pinpoint and communicate with their target audiences. Creating business profiles on popular social media platforms can significantly improve sales, allowing you to establish and humanise your brand.
Remote Working
As mentioned previously, since 2020, many workers have opted for a remote or hybrid work approach – this could only have been made possible due to technological advances. While many people benefit highly from face-to-face communication with their colleagues and management, apps like Zoom and Google Workspace make remote working accessible to a wide range of people.
E-commerce
E-commerce encapsulates everything involving the buying and selling of goods or services online – from marketing to the purchase order process of products. Historically, the concept of e-commerce is relatively recent; however, the ways in which it has revolutionised the business world, even within the last decade, are mind-boggling. Businesses can now remain open 24 hours a day, resulting in the maximum amount of sales possible, and customers can access goods and services beyond their physical limitations.
Cloud Data Storage
Every business benefits from a data backup plan. All data should be backed up and protected from viruses and hardware failures, from essential company information to customer records. Cloud storage is an off-site system that allows businesses to save and access data quickly and securely. Data is stored on remote servers, so it can be accessed anytime and from any location. Cloud storage providers offer exceptional levels of security, and stored data is typically encrypted.
Human Error
Relying on technology negates the risk of human error. The use of technology in place of human intervention is called automation. Not only can business process automation (BPA) improve the handling of complex business tasks, but it can streamline and reduce time spent on tedious, repetitive tasks such as approval requests and employee onboarding. That said, it is worth noting that although automation can reduce human error, it will never entirely eliminate it.
Higher Security
Cybersecurity describes the collective methods and processes for protecting individuals and businesses from viruses, malware, ransomware and data theft. Certain industries are at more risk than others from cyber attacks; however, every business should take steps to protect themselves and their customers from online threats. Backing up your data is the first step, but other methods of ensuring cyber security include robust passwords, file encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Better Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is integral to the success of your business. For example, automated responses (pre-designated replies) let the sender know their email was received, fulfilling customer support expectations until you can reply in a timely manner. As a business owner, one benefit of having a smartphone with internet access is you can respond to customers and resolve any issues immediately. Furthermore, many businesses use social media as a means of instant two-way communication with their customers.