The right technology can boost your business’s productivity and ultimately increase your bottom line. However, some software and other tools can be expensive, and it can be tough to determine which tech is worth purchasing. Here, we highlight some of the options you shouldn’t wait to add to your arsenal.

Scale-up sales with e-commerce

Take your business website to the next level by allowing customers to purchase your goods or services through your site. Many e-commerce tools, resources, and wikis are available that will help you learn all about advertising, brand equity, payment processing, and resource management. By tapping into these resources, you can build an e-commerce site that will set you apart from all of your competitors.

Add value with a mobile app

Having a great website is imperative for businesses, large and small. However to truly serve your clients as best you can, you should invest in a mobile app. In fact, according to eMarketer, the average adult in America spends over three hours a day on their phone. Why not make the most of those three hours? A strong mobile presence can make the difference between treading water and thriving thrive.

A mobile app can help boost online sales, build brand recognition, and increase customer engagement. Unless you are well-versed in app development, outsource to a reputable company like Fusion Informatics to create a high-quality, custom app that meets all your business needs.

Stick to proper practices with accounting software

Cash flow problems are one of the biggest root causes of failed small businesses. Keep on top of your business finances by utilizing appropriate accounting software. Whether you use QuickBooks, Zoho Books, or another selection, these programs can help you manage your payables and receivables, as well as taxes, inventory, and more.

As your small business increases in size and revenue, these software solutions can seamlessly scale with your growing business needs. Additionally, you can typically opt to keep your records online, offline, or a combination of both.

Use collaboration tools for flexibility

Low-cost tools can allow for easier collaboration among management, employees, and contractors. ClickUp notes online tools like Asana, Basecamp, Slack, and several others can boost your company’s productivity and allow team members, service providers, customers, and business partners to share files, data, and projects, wherever they may be geographically located.

Also, if you haven’t already done so, look into cloud computing services, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Switching to cloud computing can reduce installation, maintenance, and support costs for small businesses in the long run. Ask for a free trial period for one or more of these companies to see if your business could utilize and benefit from such a service.

Protect yourself and your customers with cybersecurity

According to Federal Computer Week, the cost of cyber crimes reached $2.7 billion in 2018. Even if you can’t yet afford an in-house IT team, you can’t ignore cybersecurity. Use antivirus software on all your business computers, and keep it updated. Secure your business networks using a firewall, and train all your employees on creating strong passwords, avoiding suspicious downloads, and protecting customer information.

As a precaution, back up your data routinely and use secure payment processors. To ensure you’re using best practices, the Federal Communications Commission offers a tool to help your business customize a cybersecurity strategy based on your particular needs.

It’s often tempting to purchase all the latest and greatest in technology. However, small businesses typically need to watch every penny. You can wait on buying many types of tech, but for others, it makes sense to buy now to ensure your business is most efficient and profitable.

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Many small businesses prefer to focus on their face-to-face customers and daily sales rather than on digital spaces. And while you should concentrate on the consumer experience or product you offer in-house, there’s something to be said for a more digital focus in your business.

Here are the strategies and support you need to take your venture to the next level.

Get Expert Help from a Web Developer

For non-technical business owners—or those who are overwhelmed with a long list of other tasks—hiring a PHP developer can help you create a functional and appealing website. Web developers are a crucial part of your team, especially since it seems 87 percent of consumers search online before committing to buy.

As Upwork explains, PHP code is the most common website coding language you’ll encounter, especially with platforms like WordPress. A PHP developer can help with back-end website creation and a customer-friendly interface. The best part is that a skilled developer can set up your site so that you can update it later without rehiring a specialist.

When hiring a developer, confirm their skills and background, and be sure to define the project scope clearly. Knowing how much to pay for freelance help is also smart. Rates range between $30 and $100 per hour, depending on the developer’s experience and expertise.

Consider Investing in a Mobile App

While many businesses understand the importance of a user-friendly website, staying competitive in your industry could involve other technical steps. For example, investing in the creation and maintenance of a mobile app for your business could be the boost you need to entice customers.

Forbes recommends that businesses of all sizes invest in mobile apps because they provide unparalleled benefits to both your customers and your bottom line. Promoting a consumer app helps you cultivate customer loyalty, boost engagement, and evolve your branding and industry recognition.

Hiring experts to handle mobile app development can prove cost-effective for your business, especially in terms of customer access and promoting return business. Whether your company sells a product or service, adding an app can help enhance your business model.

Don’t Forget About Content

Whatever your industry, a cohesive and functional website is a must. But what will you put on it? Content is king these days, and you’ll need to offer your audience valuable information to earn their trust and keep them coming back.

From website copy to blog posts for your business, hiring a freelance writer can help you get content that converts audiences. Whether you’re hoping to prompt consumers to buy a product, want them to engage with your brand online, or are upselling services, there’s a writer who can fulfill your vision.

Freelance writers can help you maintain a professional online presence, save you time on content creation, convert audiences, and enhance sales.

Depending on their niche and experience level, you can expect to pay a freelance writer anywhere from .10/word to over a dollar per word. In terms of hourly pay, writers typically charge between $21 and $100 per hour, Clear Voice found.

Protect Yourself When Hiring Contractors or Employees

Running an employee background check properly (read: within the law) is vital for growing your business. You must adhere to rules set by the FCRA, which can vary based on your state. Typically, you can look seven years into an employee’s history to see whether they have been arrested or convicted of a crime.

Some states limit both the type of information you can use to make a hiring decision, as well as when you can run background checks. In many instances, you can’t investigate a person’s background until you’ve offered them the job. Therefore, you must research what your rights are as an employer and follow the law to the letter.

Are you ready to take your venture to the next level? If your business isn’t online, you’re missing out on revenue and an opportunity to cultivate a dedicated customer base. Fortunately, taking these steps to grow your digital presence is straightforward and accessible, promising an excellent return on investment no matter how much you’re aiming to spend.

Photo via Pixabay

Gloria Martinez of Womenled.org is a blogger, personal branding enthusiast, and freelance content writer contributing content for various blogs.

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Most small business owners already know the value that technology can bring to their business, but there is so much tech available today that it can be overwhelming to determine what your company actually needs. After all, a lot of tech requires a monetary investment, as well as the time and energy to learn how to properly integrate it into your operations.

Fortunately, there are funding options for all types of businesses, but it’s important to know what tech can provide the most efficacy and make your company money in the long term. If you run a small business, here are some lending options to get you started, as well as tried and true technologies that can help your company grow.

Lending

If you expect certain technologies to bring a good ROI for your business, there are several ways to get funding to cover the costs. For instance, small business loans range from SBA and short-term loans to invoice financing and merchant cash advancements. The type of loan you need will depend on a number of factors, including whether your company is new or established, how good your credit is, and how much profit your company brings in. If you’re new to the process of getting a loan, be sure to check out online guides that can assist you in finding the right type of funding for your business’ needs.

Tablets

Tablets like the Apple iPad can be used for much more than reading, watching TV shows, and playing games. For instance, you can FaceTime a customer or colleague, put together a presentation, and manage your files. Whichever tablet you prefer to use (whether it’s a Microsoft Surface or Samsung Galaxy Tab), you can improve your business operations in many ways, including:

• Taking payments with a POS system
• Managing inventory
• Creating and editing documents
• Using it as an internet phone
• Facilitating customer relationship management (CRM)
• Managing time tracking

If you’re going to be using a tablet to help run your business, you’ll need the right data plan because you don’t want to get caught paying overage charges. If you’re going to be on your tablet often when you’re out of the office, it may be worth it to upgrade to an unlimited plan.

Collaboration Tools

Another tech upgrade to consider is collaboration tools, such as video conferencing software (e.g., Skype, Workplace by Facebook, GoToMeeting) and instant messaging apps (e.g., Slack, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts). Video conferencing can come in especially handy for companies who have remote workers, as they provide a way for the team to virtually meet together. It can also improve communications between partnering businesses and organizations without requiring the teams to meet face-to-face.

Additionally, messaging apps facilitate internal communication and can help to build relationships among team members. Not only can members discuss and collaborate on projects — in groups or one-on-one — they can also chat about anything.

Social Media Marketing

As with tablets, social media is used for much more than entertainment. Believe it or not, it’s imperative these days for small businesses to utilize the power of social media. Sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter provide ample opportunities to promote your brand and products/services, as well as expand your customer base and manage relationships with current customers. Make sure you acquire the right tools and knowledge to take advantage of social media. Business News Daily provides more information on how you can do that.

Onboarding Tools

Lastly, the right onboarding software can save your company a lot of time and money. Not only can it increase your chances of hiring the best kinds of employees, but it can also help your new employees learn their roles within the company at a faster pace. All and all, onboarding software (e.g., BambooHR, ClearCompany, GoCo) can help your company attract, train, and retain great team members more efficiently. If you need to create any employee-training videos, one idea is to use an online voice recording tool. Many of these recorders are free to use, and some services can transcribe your recordings for a nominal fee.

No matter what type of small business you run, there are tech upgrades that can push your company to the next level. Be sure to look into all your lending options, and find the right tablets and collaboration tools for your team. Likewise, make sure you’re taking advantage of social media marketing, and figure out which onboarding tools will make for the best fit. All the technologies available to small businesses today may not be necessary for your company, but it’s essential to get what you need so that you can give yourself the best chance to succeed.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Gloria Martinez of Womenled.org is a blogger, personal branding enthusiast and freelance content writer contributing content for various blogs.

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