The digital age is here – and for organizations, it is providing a wide range of benefits.
From increased productivity to boosted operational efficiency, technology is improving the way we work, bringing businesses ever closer to peak performance with zero time or money wasted.
Tech is constantly evolving, however, and it is up to companies to remain in-the-know and implement solutions – otherwise they could be left behind.
Check out our top 8 technologies you should be deploying as a small business.
1. Cloud Storage and File-Sharing
Whether you’re a one-man-band or have 50 employees, cloud storage platforms like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive can revolutionize a business.
Eliminating the need for physical storage devices, they offer seamless file management and easy accessibility. This means easy access to files anytime, anywhere.
They also offer enhanced team collaboration, facilitating real-time document editing and feedback, making it easier to work together and improve productivity.
What’s more, stories seem to hit the news each day of organizations falling victim to cyber attacks. Cloud storage platforms ensures data security with encrypted storage and automated back-ups, making them essential for businesses seeking peace of mind.
2. Accounting Software
From invoicing to tax, accounting software can help streamline your financial processes.
Platforms like QuickBooks allow organizations to streamline manual processes, reducing errors and ensuring compliance.
The latest technology also comes with accurate reporting and forecasting features, offering up-to-date financial statements and projections so you can see the financial health of your business and its future.
Ultimately, accounting software works as a powerful tool that empowers businesses to efficiently manage and organize their finances, and save time and money.
(If you want a free trial of QuickBooks, click here)
3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
Want to create long-lasting, authentic relationships with clients and prospects?
A CRM is essentially a database that holds information about a customer, from their name and email to what interactions they have had with your business.
This centralized overview helps to provide more visibility into your client base, offering insights into preferences and buying patterns, and enabling allowing businesses to tailor their approach to customer engagement, sales strategies, and marketing efforts based on this data. This helps to build stronger customer relationships, increase retention and drive revenue growth.
CRMs, such as Salesforce and HubSpot, also help employees to work more efficiently, with the software helping to reducing the time spent locating data.
4. Project Management Tools
If your business is juggling many jobs, project management solutions, such as Trello, help you to be better organized.
By centralizing project information, companies can streamline task management and ensure deadlines are hit within budget.
Software enables smoother collaboration between parties, making it easier to allocate tasks, sharing files and document progress throughout the job.
5. HR Management Platform
If your small business can’t afford to hire an in-house HR director, or your HR team simply want to make their lives easier, HR management software is the way to go.
Technology like GoCo helps streamline HR processes, from payroll and PTO to new hire onboarding and benefits. It simplifies recordkeeping and enables easy access to information, reducing the risk of errors and helps businesses save time.
By leveraging HR management technology, small businesses can efficiently manage their workforce, enhance employee satisfaction, and ensure compliance, allowing them to focus on strategic business objectives and growth.
6. Website Builder Software
We’ve all been there. Someone has mentioned a company and you’ve headed to Google to learn more about it. But what if they didn’t have an online presence?
If a business doesn’t have a website, it reduces their credibility. It also decreases their chance of receiving sales leads, with many prospects visiting a website before making a purchase.
Back in the day, creating a website was complicated, costly and took time and effort. Now, simple website builders, such as Wix and SquareSpace, remove the need for expensive website developers, providing small businesses with pre-designed layouts to simplify the process.
7. Website Monitoring Tools
Website monitoring tools, such as Google Analytics, provides valuable insights into how your website is performing, from traffic and user behavior to marketing campaign effectiveness.
By tracking metrics, such as page views and bounce rates, monitoring tools also enables organizations to identify areas for improvement and make informed, data-driven decisions to help drive business success.
8. Communication Tools
During the pandemic, face-to-face meetings ground to a halt, giving rise to programs like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
They enable remote teams to connect and collaborate wherever they are, eliminating the need for phone calls. They also allow businesses to virtually present and offer training sessions to clients, saving time and travel expenses, and enhancing productivity.
