Small business leaders have the opportunity and potential to achieve great results and compete with the buy companies, but only if they make smart internal investments. When you’re launching a new business, there are many possible growth tactics you need to consider in order to one day achieve your goals, and investing in technology should be one of them. While it is important to develop your marketing plan and your sales structure, figure out your unique value proposition and find the right talent for your company, you also need to use the right tech to maximize your chances of success.
The right technology can save your business from financial downfalls in the long run, and it can also help you grow and scale with ease. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some crucial tech you should invest in as a small business owner.
Build and optimize your website
In the digital world, every company needs its own website, no matter the industry or niche it’s in. Whether you’re running a strictly digital company, a brick-and-mortar store, or a business that has a presence in both realms, your website is going to be one of your key lead generation and conversion tools.
Keep in mind that modern customers will always research a company online before deciding to get in touch or buy anything, so all the more reason to give them a website where they can familiarize themselves with your brand. Make sure that your website is optimized for stellar user experience, and invest in SEO right off the bat to improve brand visibility online.
Invest in communication and collaboration tools
In the new normal, many companies will need to adapt to the remote work model. That said, whether you’re managing an in-house or a remote workforce, it’s important to invest early on in the right communication and collaboration tools. Now that employees are increasingly relying on digital communication tools and are using various apps for their work, your job should be to help them boost productivity and get organized on a single platform.
Be sure to provide a unified communication system, such as VoIP (voice over internet protocol) and a comprehensive project management tool to help your employees communicate and collaborate with ease.
Manage a well-rounded IT infrastructure
Your IT infrastructure encompasses everything from the hardware you use in the office to the data centers where you store important business data, all the way to the software that allows you to run your business. IT infrastructure maintenance and optimization should be one of your top priorities in order to ensure business continuity and growth.
You can also work closely with a local managed IT service provider to implement better IT solutions and manage these systems on a daily basis, but also conduct in-house training to get your employees on board with the new tech.
Make cybersecurity and privacy your priority
Another important element of success is to invest in data security and privacy in your business, meaning that your IT infrastructure needs to be air-tight. If you are to operate successfully in the digital space, then you need to set up robust cybersecurity systems and work continuously on improving cybersecurity in your business.
Consider investing in an ERP system
Lastly, there are many popular trends in technology right now that you could look into, but you might want to consider implementing an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system as you grow. You may not be an enterprise, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to manage your resources with the efficiency of a global company.
An ERP system will allow you to manage all aspects of your business, including your supply chain, sales, inventory, and more from a single cloud-based platform. This will help drive efficiency and productivity forward across your organization.
Over to you
Technology plays a vital role in the success of new business ventures, no matter the industry or the niche you occupy. Consider investing in these essential technologies and digital tools to help your company hit the ground running immediately after launch.