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4 Ways Your SMB Can Invest in Technology

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By Kayla Matthews

 

Spurred by new breakthroughs, technology is growing at a rapid pace, reshaping the way customers shop and how businesses are run. Right now, technology is more important than ever for small and medium businesses. If you want your SMB to stay competitive, you’ll need to take advantage of the latest developments.

Here are 4 different ways that your SMB can invest in technology.

1. Mobile-Friendly Web Presence

Mobile traffic dominates the web — by almost any measurement, customers prefer to shop, interact with brands and browse using mobile devices.. If your web presence isn’t optimized for mobile devices, you could be losing out on mobile-only customers to businesses with more mobile-friendly web presences.

Most business services, like e-commerce platforms and content management systems, are built with mobile in mind, so it’s not usually costly or difficult to optimize your web presence for mobile devices.

SMBs should also be sure that they are taking advantage of mobile features, like mobile web payments, click-to-call buttons and apps.

2. Take to the Cloud

For almost every service that an SMB needs — payroll, accounting, HR — there is a cloud-based tool or solution available.

Cloud-based tools allow SMB managers and team members to view essential business data, no matter where they are or what kind of device they’re using, so long as they have access to the web. As a result, these tools allow for a much more flexibility and power than you’d normally have available.

These cloud-based services are especially good for SMBs whose team members and managers are often on the move and don’t always have access to critical business data. If you need to quickly make financing decisions to improve cash flow, set up a new team member on payroll or re-evaluate a quarterly budget, you’ll be able to do so from just about any device with an internet connection.

3. Plan to Cycle Computer Equipment

Technology is always advancing, and if you’re not consistently investing in new technology, you and your employees could be losing out on the benefits that advanced technology can provide SMBs.

Some employees — especially if they’re working with large amounts of data or advanced technology like machine learning — may need more processing power or specialized equipment.

To get these employees the equipment they need — while spending smartly on equipment — your SMB can plan life-cycle rotations its your computer equipment in which your business phases out — or phases down — old technology and phases in new equipment. Old technology can be sold, recycled or passed down to users who don’t need specialized technology.

If you’re unsure about how to best cycle out equipment, or which device investments to prioritize, you can consider working with an IT consultant or other tech professional who can help your SMB plan its equipment rotations.

4. Invest in Points of Contact

With the right technology, SMBs can make getting in touch as easy as possible.

Small web changes, like adding a chat widget or click-to-call button to your site can provide customers with an easily accessible point of communication with your team that can quickly move them further along the sales funnel. Even if your SMB can’t put an employee or team member in touch right away, there’s often technology available — like advanced AI chatbots and dynamic phone menus — that can field new customers and direct them to a live agent when possible.

Improving an SMB with Technology Investment

Technology is one of the most powerful tools an SMB can have — but you will need to carefully select the technologies your business pursues if you want to get the most out of your investment.

Cloud-based tech can help keep business operations running, even if key management members don’t have access to business computers. Mobile-friendly web design and contact methods can help your business secure customers, who are more likely than ever to be visiting your business’s web presence and interacting with your brand using  a mobile device.

 

About the Author: Kayla Matthews writes about communication and workplace productivity on her blog, Productivity Theory. Her work has also appeared on Talent Culture, MakeUseOf, The Muse and Fast Company.

Featured image by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash

Is Your Business App Getting the Job Done?

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Having the right mobile business app in today’s digital age is nothing short of essential.

As your brand looks for sales and revenue that goes with it, is your mobile business app doing all it can to assist?

If your mobile business app is not getting the job done, are you missing out on prospective sales and money?

Review Your App on a Regular Basis

Once you’ve come up with the right business app, the work does not end there.

It is important that you review your app on a regular basis. Doing so helps you to make sure it does all it can to promote and secure sales for your brand.

Among the reasons your mobile business app can benefit your brand:

  1. Consumer visibility – Your app has the potential to get in front of millions of consumer’s eyes on a daily basis. With that in mind, make sure your message is being seen and heard in a clear manner. Instead of consumers finding you on computers, your app can download on a device in seconds. Once it is on there, it is easy for consumers to open it up to browse information or buy goods and services from you. Whether you offer the Bismanonline mobile app or others, get to millions of consumer eyes.
  2. Marketing tool – Any successful business can tell you that marketing is key to success. That said your app can be the tool you need to interest a consumer in your brand, in all hopes leading to a sale or two. With that being the case, use your app to market info on your brand, when you have sales and more.
  3. Spreading the word – Another app benefit is a consumer spreading the word among themselves. If you have satisfied customers, they will more times than not spread the word for you. They get family members and friends who have an interest in your brand to download your app. Before you know it, word is spreading like a wildfire.
  4. Offers convenience – Unlike the days of calling a restaurant for a table or doctor’s office for medical care, more consumers are going the mobile app route. As such, allowing customers to check in via your mobile business app saves time. Your customers appreciate the feature. They do not have to spend more time on the phone trying to book appointments.
  1. Seen as an innovator – Last, having a mobile app can allow your brand to stand out from competitors. If some or much of your competition does not offer consumers a mobile app that can help you. Many consumers may view you as innovative and having a handle on today’s technology. As such, you get more consumer eyes and increased sales.

If your company does not have a mobile app or the one you have is not getting the job done, change things moving forward.

With the right app in your corner, your small business stands to be the beneficiary in more ways than one.

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Make an App Work for Your Business

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iphone-410324_640 (1)Are you satisfied with where your business is as the New Year unfolds?

If the answer is not really, what do you plan to do about it?

Some business owners will simply sit back and hope that things improve, though they know that doing so is certainly taking a chance.

Others, meantime, will be much more pro-active about the situation.

If you’re in that latter group of owners, what do you plan to do this year and for down the road to make your business all the better?

Technology Can Drive Your Business

In the event you have been slow to the wave of technology over the years, you’re likely seeing the ramifications for it when it comes to your revenue.

While you do not have to be a technology geek, you should at least be aware of the different tech products and services out there, both of which could very well help your brand move forward.

With millions of consumers spending time on their mobile devices these days to browse for and ultimately buy goods and services, are you on the other end ready to serve them? If you’re not, there’s a very good chance your competition is.

If you haven’t figured out just yet why an app is a necessity for your business, follow along.

For starters, creating your own app can be a challenge, especially if your skills with such a device are limited at best.

If that’s the case, you are much better off going out and seeking the best app makers available.

Such companies in the app industry can come up with an app that not only will be worth the time of consumers to download on their mobile devices, but it will all but guarantee more cash flow for your business.

In finding the right app maker, be sure to do some research online, looking to see which app makers come with the highest recommendations from experts in the industry. Don’t just assume you are saving time and/or money by selecting the first one that pops up. Compare multiple apps side-by-side, seeing which one truly looks like it would provide you with the best technology, best customer service, and ultimately the best opportunity to bring in sales.

Promoting Your App

Once you have your own business app in place, the next big step is promoting it.

As with any device you try and promote, keep in mind that your competitors are likely doing the same thing. That then begs the question, how can you stand out from the competition?

To start with, put both your website and your social media initiatives to work.

For the former, your blog can be a great tool in marketing your app.

Writing content not only about your own company’s app, but also how consumers can benefit from downloading various business apps, is great information for the latter. Also be sure to put out any notable press releases when you are making additions etc. to your current app and what it has to offer the public.

As for social media, make sure you are as active as possible in promoting your app on the social channels.

This means the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and others.

Also be ready to answer any and all questions from consumers about your app. As with any social media chatter you get from consumers, be sure to answer them back in a courteous and timely manner.

Speaking of consumers, don’t hesitate to ask satisfied customers to help promote your app for you. As they begin to tell their family members and friends about you app and all it has to offer, word spreads, leading to more downloading of your app.

Your app can do so many positive things for your business, so start talking it up today.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

 

Give Customers the Best Mobile Experience Possible

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smartphone-1894723_640How much mobility would you say your business has as the New Year unfolds?

While many businesses are on top of their mobile games, others are woefully dragging behind. For those in the latter group, missed opportunities to connect with consumers and bring in more revenue are but two of the pitfalls of such inaction.

Assuming you do not want to end up in that latter group, it is important that you do all you can to have a sound mobile app presence. When you do, there are many more opportunities to grow your brand and be seen as a leader in your respective niche.

So, are you prepared to give customers the best mobile experience possible?

Being a Frontrunner in Mobile Apps and Marketing

In order for your brand to get as much positive promotions and feedback as possible, being a major player with mobile apps services is important.

With your mobile game in play, you should focus on:

  • Marketing – Having a mobile app in play for your business gives you the opportunity to expand your marketing promotions like never before. Take into account the fact that millions of consumers use their respective mobile devices on a daily basis. As a result, you can literally reach out to them anytime and anywhere. For example, do you have a new special promotion you’d like them to know about? If so, simply sending the message out via your mobile app is a great start. You may decide to throw in a digital coupon offer that saves them money on their purchases. Whatever your promotion is, make sure your mobile marketing messages spell it out loud and clearly;
  • Appearance – Even if you have some of the best products and/or services you want the world to know about, how you put that message out there is important. Keep in mind that mobile devices give you less of a screen view than a regular laptop or desktop computer. As such, if your message doesn’t properly fit on the screen of a mobile device, not only can your brand look unprofessional, but you may not get your entire message out there. Be sure that the design is what you want it to be, giving customers the best user experience possible when viewing your message;
  • Feedback – Finally, expect and accept the consumer feedback you receive regarding your mobile app. Yes, some of it may be critical at times, but take those opportunities as a chance to improve the user experience for consumers. Without ever knowing what they like and do not like, how can you expect to come up with the perfect mobile app? Without duplicating their efforts, also take some time to see how competitors are using their mobile apps to build business. By seeing what kind of feedback they receive from consumers, it will give you a few ideas of what to do and not to do with yours.

Don’t Shortcut Your Brand on Mobility

Lastly, mobile apps are not going anywhere anytime soon, so educate you and your staff on how important they are in growing your brand.

As important as using your mobile app for sales is, don’t forget other options for your app.

For starters, load your app up with relevant content and videos.

When it comes to content, you can provide articles not only talking about your products and services, but what your overall industry is doing.

For example, if you’re a Realtor with a mobile app for business, articles on trends in the real estate market would be quite worthwhile to those individuals and families looking to buy or sell properties. You can (and should) also add videos to the app, something that is usually a sure winner with consumers. By showcasing different properties on your app, potential buyers and sellers can look at different homes and/or condos right in the palm of their hands.

It is safe to say that mobility within your business is important now and will continue so down the road.

When you give customers the best mobile experience possible, they are apt to keep coming back.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Build Mobility for Your Business

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ios-1091302_640

As 2016 nears its close, what sights do you have set on the New Year, allowing you to take your business to new heights?

For some business owners, a new year can mean many new twists and turns. Others, meantime, will play things closer to the vest, looking to not deviate too far from what they have done over the last 12 months.

That said having a business that is not weak when it comes to technology is crucial, especially in a business world where tech is seemingly always playing a part.

So, are you ready to build more mobility for your business as 2017 unfolds?

Where Do You Start?

In the event you feel the need to put more mobility into your business, where do you start?

It is typically best to begin by assessing where your needs are most prevalent.

Are you a business that is behind the curve when it comes to technology? If so, why is that the case?

For some business owners, it comes down to embracing technology, not fearing it for one reason or another.

With the right technology on your side, your business can do myriad of things. Most notably, you can meet the demands of many customers, many of whom are big on technology.

That said does your business have an app? If the answer is no, 2017 would be a great time to come up with one.

If you are wondering about how to make an app, it actually isn’t as hard as one might think.

Whether you make the app in-house or outsource such needs, having that app ready to do business is where you need to get to.

In the event you decide to stay in-house in your efforts to make an app, you may have already hired someone (or more than one individual) more than capable of doing it.

Should you need to go outside for such help, you are best-served by doing some homework, seeing which companies (or even individuals) are qualified to put an app together for you.

Among the areas to look at:

  • How long have they been designing apps?
  • What are the approximate costs for them to design your app?
  • What kind of guarantees will they provide so that you truly get what you pay for (and need)?
  • Will they be available whenever you need them to answer pertinent questions and/or fix any problems your app presents you with?

Once you have the design of your app going, you can then focus on where your app is destined to take you.

Putting Your App to Work

So that you are able to truly understand how a mobile app can catapult your business forward in 2017 and beyond, keep these factors in mind:

  • Numbers – First and foremost, more and more consumers these days are using technology to not only shop for goods and services, but ultimately purchase them. As a result, you’re literally going to be left behind if you do not fully embrace technology. Consumers will also look at your business with more respect when you have your own app, knowing you are staying up to date with the times;
  • Speed – While there are still some businesses out there that avoid technology as much as possible (they seem to become fewer and fewer by the year), many companies love the speed with which technology can bring them together with consumers. That said see how having an app changes the fortunes of your business in many cases. With a successful mobile app in play, you can be in contact literally instantly with many consumers, giving you an opportunity to beat the competition to the punch.

Once you have a handle on how you will build your app, be prepared to move forward with marketing and using it when ready.

In the end, the app will build mobility for your business, something that ultimately should translate into more dollars and cents.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

 

 

 

Don’t Be Afraid of Technology

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Market.Given all that technology has to offer your brand, why would you in turn run away from it and try to hide?

Unfortunately, there are businesses out there that do just that.

For myriad of reasons, some companies see technology as too cumbersome, too expensive, too much to try and teach their employees. As a result, they miss out on all the great things technology can offer a brand.

That said has your business embraced technology as it should. If not, are you in fact afraid of all technology has to offer?

Consultants Can Make the Difference

For some of those businesses that are afraid of technology, what if they hired consultants to implement and manage such needs?

While some brands may shy away from using consultants, many other companies see much benefit in using men and women who have extensive experience in the world of technology.

With that being the case, how can your business put I.T. consultants to work for you?

Among the ways they can assist:

  1. General website production and upkeep – Your website should know no boundaries when it comes to promoting your brand. That said your website must always be maintained so that not only is it working as it should, but also giving visitors to the site what they need. You can opt for a provider such as Maryland I.T. services or others that are out there, searching for the one best suited to your needs and financial means. Don’t just automatically opt for the one offering the cheapest price. Then again, the most expensive one doesn’t automatically guarantee the best service. When you combine great experience with an affordable price, you typically hit the nail on the head. Speaking of upkeep a minute ago, your site’s I.T. pro or pros should review the website regularly, looking for any errors. Some of the typical gaffes can include 404 errors, pictures that do not match with the content, headline typos etc. While the occasional error may slip through from time to time, a website filled with errors is likely going to give many visitors the wrong opinion about your brand. If they feel like your site is nothing short of a joke, can you really expect them then to fully trust your products and/or services? Don’t let visitors be the ones to routinely find gaffes on your site;
  2. Blog content – Assuming your website offers a blog, that blog is some of your best marketing means available. With the right focus on the blog, you can write and/or include guest posts that revolve around your particular industry. The number one rule here regarding content is that it must be informative and authoritative for the reader, not trying to sell something every other sentence. The content should also have a call to action, thereby leading you to potential sales at each and every opportunity. Finally, the content should be shared (see more below) as often as possible, allowing you to get it in front of as many eyes as possible;
  3. Social promotions – If your website has been lax at promoting itself on social media, that needs to change immediately. Your presence on social networking sites can open so many different doors for your brand, so don’t hesitate to use it. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn etc. are all great tools to give your brand the social exposure it truly needs. Make sure your site has its respective social media icons in an easy to locate area, allowing those wishing to an opportunity to follow you. Yes, some business owners will lament that they have trouble truly figuring out if social media provides a good return on investment (ROI), but the overwhelming evidence shows that it does.

These are but three of the ways I.T. consultants can educate business owners on improving their technology efforts.

If you have been only a so-so player in the world of technology, perhaps it was because you didn’t have the right consultant help available?

When you stop and think about it, technology is only going to get bigger and better in the years to come.

That said don’t be afraid of it and lose out on all sorts of potential business.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and technology items on the web.