For your small business, technology can be a vital tool to increase potential, bring in clients, and operate your business efficiently. However, not using technology wisely can lead to your business sinking quickly. Here are some ways that this could happen and what you can do to stay clear. New technology is being utilized to constructively change and connect the world.
1. No website
One of the largest mistakes that a small business can make is to think they don’t need a website because of their business size (i.e. painting company or nail salon).
Just because these businesses are just attracting local residents doesn’t mean a website won’t be beneficial. Most folks search for choices on the internet, even if what they want can’t be purchased on the web.
Having a social media platform is all good and plenty, but the website must be the basis for any social media platforms utilized. Nonetheless, one vital thing to remember is that the website must be professional, approachable, and user-friendly. Having a badly-designed website is far worse than not having one.
2. Misusing Social Media
Social media is a very appealing marketing channel for new businesses because it’s free.
It is easy for businesses to start their online branding efforts via social media under the naive assumption that the customers will instantly flock to their profiles. This definitely isn’t the case, especially since a lot of small businesses just don’t understand the right way to use social media. A very usual mistake that businesses typically make is that they use too many social media platforms and don’t differentiate their plan for each one. A smart business should display various facets of its business on various channels.
3. Not being interactive on social media
Some businesses think that social media is only a free marketing tool. However, it’s crucial that the person managing your social media sites is doing more than just creating accounts in your company’s name.
Social media channels bring businesses the chance to grow their online personality. It’s a place to chat with clients, make connections, and provide advice. Social media users are used to businesses acting like this online, and if your business doesn’t get involved, don’t expect many clients to come your way. A Facebook account is free, but for your business to flourish, it means you need to spend plenty of time intermingling with prospective and loyal clients.
4. Keeping Tabs on Your Progress
After you have a website and a good social media presence, the next step is to realize what is working for you and what isn’t. Businesses that don’t know how their services are doing aren’t in any position to determine what to improve and what to let go. Solid web analytics tools can keep your company afloat of its wellbeing and should be high on your priority list.
5. Not Having IT Support
Businesses who don’t want to invest in decent IT support may be ill-equipped when disaster happens. Often a small business will just have one person overseeing the tech infrastructure of the whole company. They probably aren’t prepared for any problems. You might want to outsource your IT support to a knowledgeable and skilled professional company.
6. Failure to reinvest in hardware/software
It might be very alluring for a business to keep their old computers and printers because the cost of replacing them may be too pricey. Most hardware has a life expectancy of up to four years. But these rising costs over time in repairing your old equipment might make it more sensible to just invest in newer office equipment.
7. Leaving Yourself Exposed
It is critical that your company’s IT system is safeguarded against all kinds of disasters that could end your business with one keystroke. If you take some time to plan for problems, then you might just overcome it. You need to back up all your information on cloud servers.
8. Cutting Corners with Software
It might want to illegally download MS Office to save some money when it is just starting out. But pirating software can bring fines and malware into your business.
9. Using Home Equipment to Run Your Business
Even though you run a small business, you shouldn’t expect that the same hardware and software that you use at home will be good enough for your business. When things go wrong, and they will if they can’t deal with your tech traffic, you will be mad for not investing in something more appropriate for your company. When your business experiences issues due to a slow internet connection, it’s your business profits that will suffer.
10. Skimping on Training
You can save your company plenty of money if your staff is trained in hardware and software skills. It could seem that knowing how to use a printer or copier might be passed on from one employee to the next. However, if your new employee inadvertently wipes your accounts or causes your printer to malfunction, then you are to blame for not ensuring the individual was trained correctly.
RedWave Technology Group, LLC can help you with all of the problems listed above. From computer networking and support to website design and online presence, our wide range of computer services will help ensure your business is set up for success. Contact us at (205) 917-5757 or info@redwaveit.com to schedule a free consultation.