Ways Small Businesses Can Use Technology
Let’s face it — you don’t want to be running a business that’s stuck in the past. Imagine if years went by but you were still storing all of your printed files in filing cabinets, balancing your books in physical ledgers, or sending all of your invoices via postal mail. Your business would be run so inefficiently, right?
But unless you keep up with the times, it’s easy for your business to get left behind and find itself in a situation where it’s not using all the technology that’s available to it. Yes, technology can develop at a pretty fast pace, but we should embrace it instead of avoiding it. After all, you might be surprised at the kind of developments being made!
Plus, you don’t have to be a huge corporation to implement technology in your daily operations. You might even say small businesses are the ones that stand to benefit the most from using the latest tech advances.
Technology To Take Your Business To The Next Level
Here are several ways of using technology that will take your small business to the next level:
Time tracking software
Don’t make your employees have to track their hours by watching the clock and marking it down with pen and paper. You can use time tracking software that lets your employees start and stop the timer whenever they’re working remotely. They can even sort hours by project or tasks, so you’re able to see how much time your team is collectively spending on areas of their job.
Digital dictation
No more need to furiously take notes! You can use a dictation app to record everything that you’re saying and have a transcript immediately after you’re done talking.
Project management platforms:
These are especially helpful if you have a team that’s working remotely. Everyone is assigned their role in a project, and everyone who is involved with that project can track where things are in the process.
Digital filing system
When you have all of your files stored digitally in one place, it’s easy for you to share with any members of your team who might need access to them. Plus you can keep them organized and save them in a more space-efficient way than if you had pages upon pages of printed documents you’re storing in a filing cabinet.
Online invoicing service
Certain apps will allow you to send invoices and collect payments with just the click of a button. You can even automate it so that invoices go out each month without your even having to think about it.
Accounting software
When you use accounting software, it’s easy for you to keep track of expenses, see where your profits and losses are balancing out, determine which expenses you might be able to cut, and even share digital files with your CPA.
Streamline your messaging
Do you ever feel as if you’re juggling too many modes of communication? Between email, texts, instant messages, and other platforms, you need to streamline all of it. Certain messaging platforms combine the best of all these communication methods so you’re able to set one single means of communication for everyone on your team to use.
Blogging platforms
Blogging is one of the easiest and most efficient ways of connecting with your target customers. Regularly adding new, relevant content to your website boosts your rankings among search engines, and high-quality content will demonstrate to your followers that you’re a trusted leader in your industry.
Client management software
You know those times when several members of your team are trying to serve the same client at the same time. Client management software lets you keep all contact information in a shared location where everyone can access it, and all team members can see when the last follow-up was or what you’re expecting next from the client.
Video conferencing
Using video lets you hold meetings with people from out of town or even across the world, all from the convenience of wherever you have your computer. Unlike phone calls, video conferencing allows you to have a better relationship with somebody because you’re able to see their face and read their expression while you two communicate.
Social media platforms
Social media is a powerful tool when it comes to marketing a business. You’re able to connect with interested followers, keep them updated on the latest news, establish yourself as a thought leader, and drive that know-like-trust factor home with more people than ever before.
Online learning
The digital world is the easiest place for you to grow in your knowledge and expertise. Enroll in webinars or e-courses, participate in online learning, and access digital resources that will empower you to improve at what you do.
Use online surveys and questionnaires
Solicit feedback and find out what your customers really think with the convenience of an easily sharable online questionnaire. It’s a way to find out how your business can improve its service or get ideas on what new products they want to see.
Online bookings
Finally, you no longer have to book appointments over the phone. Your clients can simply pull up your online calendar, see what you have available, and reserve a time to meet with you. That’s easier for everyone!
