It’s understandable why embracing tech is not easy for all small business owners. It often requires an upfront investment, and you have to know how to administer and maintain the tech for it to benefit your business. However, there are some technologies that can improve your business and save you so much money that ignoring them can significantly hold your company back.
The key is to know which tech can prove worthwhile for your business. If you’re a small business owner looking to give your business a boost, here are six ways of incorporating tech that can benefit every kind of company.
Dropship on the side
One way to use tech to your advantage is by starting a dropshipping business on the side. What’s great about dropshipping is that you can bring in additional sales without the need to keep physical inventory or pay any significant costs upfront. There are many different kinds of products you can sell, from antique furniture and car parts to office supplies and electronics. Even if your company specializes in services, you can find products that relate to your industry.
Protect your data
No matter what size or kind of business you run, it’s essential to keep your data secure. With the rapid growth of technology comes the imminent threat of cybercrime, and small businesses are a prime target of criminals. Some security tech to consider include anti-virus software, firewalls, managed detection and response (MDR), encryption software and data loss prevention. Along with getting the proper security tools, it’s important to create a security culture in the company and make sure all your employees are on board.
Work in the cloud
“The cloud” refers to a network of remote servers that allows you to create, store, and access data through the internet. Essentially, it reduces the need to work through local servers and install certain kinds of expensive hardware. Not only does cloud computing save space in your network, but it also provides the opportunity for you and your staff to securely work on the go.
Mobilize your operations
Technology has made it possible for companies of all types to do work from anywhere. As long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can access your emails, phone calls, voicemails, and certain programs through a tablet, phone or computer. This not only provides convenience, but it can also save you time and, ultimately, money.
Market your business on social
Simply put, social media is a gift to small businesses. There are many ways to utilize social media sites (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) for marketing — some of which are free and some that cost a reasonable fee. So, it’s important to take your company’s social media pages seriously. Regularly promote your brand and products and services, make announcements, provide background stories for your products and services, engage with customers and potential customers, and so on. Also, consider investing in things like data analytics and pay-per-click advertisement to boost customer reach and sales.
Don’t forget about email
Email has been around a while, but it’s still useful for businesses. Email is an instant, efficient, and paperless method of communicating with your staff, business partners, and customers. It also works great for marketing your business.
Embracing tech could mean the difference between your company moving forward and it being passed up in a rapidly changing world. So, take some time to think about dropshipping products related to your industry, invest in data security tools, and utilize cloud computing. Also, take advantage of everything mobility, social media, and email have to offer. Before too long, you will likely realize that any investment required upfront for these tech options quickly pays for itself and helps your company get to the next level.
Photo Credit: Pexels