Your SMB’s 5-part checklist to the latest technology
SMBs are becoming increasingly reliant on technology to drive revenue, engage with customers, and grow their business. Still, the vast majority of these companies simply aren’t investing enough cash in the latest tech. In fact, 63% of SMBs only invest 1-24 percent of their annual budget in technology.
If you’re ready to change your company’s relationship with technology, here are a few good places to start.
Make your website mobile-friendly
Four out of five consumers use smartphones to shop for products and services online — a number that will continue to grow over the next few years. This is why it’s important to optimize your website so customers can access information on their mobile devices.
Making your web pages mobile-friendly will increase the overall customer experience, keep consumers engaged for longer, and reduce your bounce rate.
Related Content: Growing your business? Here are 3 things to consider.
Increase your social media presence
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow you to engage with customers on a more personal level. This technology is revolutionizing the way all companies market their products and engage with consumers. And with 2.77 billion users around the world, it’s really no surprise that social media has such an impact.
Use live chat software to communicate with customers
Live chat tools let your customer service staff communicate with consumers online. Use this technology to discover customer pain points, solve problems, and reduce the costs associated with other communication methods like telephone customer service.
“Thankfully for marketers, there has been a huge shift in how we use live chat today,” says marketing expert Neil Patel. “It’s actually becoming one of the best ways to nurture customers and drive sales fast. Nobody appreciates waiting on hold for 15 minutes or sitting by their email to get a response days later.”
Incorporate collaborative tools into your business
Collaborative technology allows all of your employees to work together on projects, even if they’re away from the office. The latest software integrates with your social media pages, email accounts, and mobile apps so you can improve productivity and automate various day-to-day tasks.
“From tracking who made the latest changes to a document, to how the document was before the changes, to tagging a colleague to review the document, it’s never been easier to manage a project,” says Lifewire.
Keep data in the cloud
The cloud lets you share, store, and manage your data in a virtual space away from your office. The result? You can improve data security and collaboration and access valuable information from any device no matter where you are.
Related Content: 5 next-level cloud productivity benefits
Final thoughts
Want to grow your company? The technology on this checklist provides your business with a solution. Mobile-friendly websites, social media platforms, live chat, collaborative tools, and the cloud are all technologies that can streamline workflows, improve productivity, and enhance communications.
Want to keep reading? Check out 5 signs you’re ready for an IT update.
