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How Small Businesses Can Use Technology to Grow
Technology has really come a long way as compared to a couple of decades back. In the 80s and 90s, the technology we have today was still in its infancy. As such, business was conducted in a way that generally didn’t embrace technology. However, in today’s world, technology has taken center stage. In many modern workplaces, it’s impossible to have the business running smoothly without the appropriate technological backbone.
However, many small business owners believe that since their businesses aren’t very big, they don’t require much investment in this area. This is totally the wrong mindset to have if your goal is to grow your business so it reaches as many people as possible.
When it comes to technology and business, the initial investment might seem to be a little high. However, as time progresses, you’ll discover that the investment was well worth it. Here are a few technologies any serious business person cannot afford to miss.
Data Loss Protection
Digital security is one of the cornerstones of any successful business. Regardless of the type of business, having proper security for your data is paramount for success. Customers, clients, and stakeholders alike want to be assured that your data is safe so that they have confidence when dealing with your business. As such, you can employ various encryptions to your data so that in case there is a breach, hackers won’t be able to access passwords. Also, disposing of sensitive data can help keep your clients safe; such information includes credit card numbers, bank account info, and shipping addresses, to name only a few.
Business on the Go
Today’s business owner isn’t shackled to the office — they can literally do business from anywhere thanks to smartphones and tablets. And although it’s definitely a good idea to have an HQ, you no longer need to worry about missing important calls or emails simply because you were out of the office. Of course, your smartphone is only as good as your data plan, which is why companies such as Verizon offer unlimited data and multiple lines to business owners. By having a good plan that covers all the bases, you won’t have to worry about overcharges simply because you suddenly enjoyed a boost in your business.
Having a Proper Website
A website today is crucial for any business to thrive. Some small business owners think that since they operate a traditional brick-and-mortar business, a website is unnecessary. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Today, most people look up companies before doing business with them. Not surprisingly, the quality of the website and its content goes a long way toward proving that you’re serious about your business.
Unfortunately, some small businesses think that any old website will do. However, when you build a quality web presence, customers are more likely to also believe that you’re selling quality merchandise. On an ideal website, you should have a section that is for customers to give their feedback on products, ask questions, and interact with one another. Not only does this help your rankings with Google, but it also shows the customers that you care about what they need.
While there’s a wide array of DIY website builders on the market these days, it’s essential that you hire a professional such as Throlson to create a website for you. They will customize it just how it should be and make sure everything is working as advertised.
Updating the Point-of-Sale System
Point-of-sale systems have been around for a while. Big businesses have been using them for years, and because of that, they have better understood their business, which has only led them to become more successful. POS systems are critical when it comes to understanding your business and what you need to keep things moving in the right direction.
Today, small businesses can also employ POS systems that are tailored to their specific business. Such systems, including tablet-based POS systems, help the proprietor get a better understanding of what’s moving faster than the rest and then make the necessary refinements.
What’s more, the business owner can get an idea of the business expenses, inventory, and employee productivity without even stepping into the shop. It can all be done online. You can closely monitor the business from anywhere you are without worrying about overage charges.
Getting technology to work for you is great because it will help your business become more profitable while enhancing productivity at the same time. While the latest technology might seem a bit pricey, it’s crucial to understand that it will pay off in the long run. Technology and business are partners — there’s no need to get left behind.
