According to BusinessDIT, a staggering 85% of small businesses are experiencing success by leveraging technology in their ventures.
In the fast-paced digital era, technology is crucial for small businesses to thrive. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experience, having the right tools can make a significant difference. In this blog, we present 10 essential small business technology tools that can get you a good spot in the digital landscape.
Tool 1 – Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
CRM software has the potential to revolutionise small businesses. According to SuperOffice, 74% of businesses report that CRM software eases their access to customer data. People assume that CRM platforms are expensive, complicated & meant only for large businesses.
This is a myth.
Cloud-based CRM options like Salesforce, including Salesforce Essentials, have reduced costs associated with on-premise installations, licensing, & hardware, making it affordable for companies of all sizes, including small teams with limited budgets.
All you need to do is find a CRM that fulfils your business requirements. Salesforce, Hubspot CRM & Zeki CRM are a few options worth considering.
Tool 2 – Cloud Storage Solutions
Cloud migration entails moving digital assets like databases, software, & services to the cloud. A study conducted by Office 365 revealed that IT professionals successfully achieved a 20% decrease in overall costs through the transition from on-premises practices.
Cloud storage solutions like Dropbox, Amazon Web Services & Microsoft OneDrive offer secure, accessible, & scalable storage options. It is time to let go of ink on paper & adopt a method that stores & shares files effortlessly, allows you to collaborate remotely, & ensures data backup without physical limitations in addition to saving money.
Tool 3 – Project Management Tools
A report by PMI (expand) states that inefficient project management causes organisations to squander a significant 12% of their resources. To keep your team organised & on track, consider adapting to project management tools like Slack, Trello or Asana. They provide a centralised platform for task management, scheduling, collaboration, & progress tracking. They aid in enhancing productivity, fostering teamwork, & meeting deadlines with ease.
Tool 4 – Accounting Software
Efficient financial management is crucial for success. In today’s fast-paced world, one does not wish to delve into papers, files & books to find basic transactions. Here, an accounting software, such as QuickBooks or Xero, will automate your invoicing, expense tracking, & reporting. It will provide you with real-time insights into your business’s financial health, reduce errors, & streamline bookkeeping.
Tool 5 – Communication & Collaboration Tools
Forbes reports that for over 40% of workers, poor communication reduces trust both in leadership & in their team.
This clearly shows that effective communication is essential for an organisation to work productively. Tools like Slack & Microsoft Teams enable seamless contact with remote teams, ensuring effective connectivity, file sharing, & task management. They also facilitate efficient communication & workflow optimization across multiple on-site locations, allowing for continuous information exchange & minimizing delays caused by different work hours.
Instant messaging, video conferencing, & file-sharing capabilities promote teamwork & enhance productivity.
Tool 6 – Social Media Management Tools
71% of small-to-mid-sized businesses use social media to market themselves & 52% post once a day to garner maximum reach.
However, between operations tasks, we often do not prioritise this very effective strategy. Therefore, Social media tools like Hootsuite or Buffer allow you to manage multiple accounts/platforms, schedule posts, track engagement, & analyse performance. So, why not optimise your social media visibility & effectively connect with your target audience through effective use of social media tech tools for small business?
Below is a list of 10 tools that small businesses can use for social media management:
- Buffer
- Crowdfire
- eClincher
- Hootsuite
- MavSocial
- Post Planner
- Social Pilot
- Sprout Social
- Sendible
- Zoho Social
Tool 7 – Email Marketing Software
Let’s say you wrote a very powerful blog around your business’s Unique Selling Proposition. But how do you ensure that the news of this blog reaches your customers? This is where email marketing comes in.
Customers prefer brand communication via email & Hubspot reports that 77% of marketers have seen an increase in email engagement over the last 12 months.
Utilise software such as Mailchimp or Constant Contact to create professional email campaigns, segment your audience, automate sequences, & track performance. Ignite customer engagement, foster customer leads nurturing, & amplify conversion rates by making good use of marketing automation for small business.
Tool 8 – Website & E-commerce Platforms
A strong online presence is essential. Website builders like WordPress or Wix enable small businesses to create & manage websites without extensive coding knowledge.
When it comes to the best ecommerce platform for small business, you have options like Shopify, WooCommerce & Wix which are well-known for providing seamless solutions for selling products or services online.
Tool 9 – Cybersecurity Solutions
According to a study by Accenture, 43% of all cyberattack victims are small businesses. Thus, protecting your organisational & customer data from cyber threats is paramount. Invest in robust cybersecurity solutions like antivirus software, firewalls, & encryption tools to safeguard your digital assets. Update your software, educate your team, & implement strong passwords to minimise cyberattacks.
Tool 10 – Analytics & Reporting Tools
Data-driven decision-making is crucial. The average return-on-investment (ROI) organisations get by leveraging business intelligence & analytic tools is 1300%. Analytics & reporting tools like Google Analytics or Microsoft Power BI help small businesses track website traffic, monitor customer behaviour, & analyse sales trends. You can leverage them to gain actionable insights, measure marketing effectiveness, & optimise your business strategies.
In the competitive business landscape, leveraging the right technology tools gives small businesses a competitive edge. From enhancing customer relationships to improving operational efficiency, these 10 essential tech tools for small businesses are extremely helpful for achieving business goals. They help you embrace technology, stay agile, & propel your business forward in the digital era.
Looking for Digital Transformation or Technology Advisory Services to catalyse the growth of your business? Get in touch with us today!
