There’s no denying that technology can help small businesses to run more efficiently whilst growth is taking place. However, aside from staff costs, IT can be the second biggest outlay for start-ups. As a small business owner, it’s vital that you choose your tech wisely to get the best fit for your business and the most out of your investment.
Below we’ve shared our top tech tips for small or start-up businesses:
Know when to outsource
When you’re working with smaller budgets, it can be tempting to “have a go” at installing or fixing tech yourself. However, more often than not, it’s more cost-effective to enlist the help of an expert rather than wasting hours of your own time that could be spent growing the business!
Do your research and don’t scrimp
Whilst it’s tempting to “make do’ with cheaper alternatives and free software, you should really invest in a solution that will grow with your business. Think to the future and remember, whilst technology is a significant investment, the most expensive options aren’t always the best choice! Ask the experts and research your industry to determine what you actually need from CRM systems to boardroom tech.
Adopt mobile
As an owner of a small business, you’ll understand the value of having accurate business information at your fingertips 24/7. Most modern offices embrace some form of mobile working, whether that’s picking up emails whilst out and about, working remotely from home or presenting to clients. Each individual business is different, but investing in company smartphones or tablets could help your business to run more seamlessly.
Consider video conferencing solutions
Having a high quality video conferencing solution can allow you to expand your business nationally and internationally without the expense of travel. Having a high-tech boardroom will also make you look professional and give visitors to your business a great first impression!
Embrace the cloud
The cloud can offer cost effective document storage and is great for broadening collaborative working within your team. There are lots of options out there to help you run your business that can be scaled up or down as required. However, if you’re relying on the cloud, it goes without saying that your broadband needs to be up to scratch and reliable!
Make sure your internet is reliable
Most businesses require some sort of internet connectivity, and it’s vital that this be reliable. Just a short outage can have a big impact on business, particularly if you communicate with your customers or sell online. You should invest in a good wireless router and choose the right business broadband for your operation. For the fastest speeds and optimal efficiency, you should consider fibre broadband and have your wifi networks installed by a supplier who offers good technical support if something goes wrong.
If you’d like any further advice on the tech you need to help streamline your business, get in touch and we’ll arrange a free consultation.
