However, with the introduction of today’s technology, many business owners are able to develop their brand while saving energy, time and costs.
Here are some 5 technologies that you can implement to grow your business:
1. Cloud Computing
Businesses these days no longer invest a large sum in a stack of servers, on-site software or bulky hardware to store data. They also don’t take the hassle of managing data directly. All of this has been made possible, thanks to cloud computing.
With cloud computing, small companies now get the freedom to securely store, access and modify data anywhere on any device. Plus, they are able to minimize upfront costs while maximizing efficiency. This innovative approach has been helping people across the globe to work smarter.
“Cloud computing is empowering, as anyone in any part of the world with internet connection and a credit card can run and manage applications in the state-of-the-art global datacenters,” says Jamal Mazhar, founder and CEO of Kaavo. “Companies leveraging cloud will be able to innovate cheaper and faster.”
2. Social Media
Other than just for connecting with friends and family, social media can be used for business. As the majority of people spend time on social networks everyday, it has become easier for businesses to connect with clients.
With the help of this effective tool, business owners can determine the demands of potential consumers, engage with them, receive feedback, advertise their business and hence, build brand recognition.
Maintaining an online presence is a crucial marketing strategy for both big and small businesses. Once you attract the audience and convert them into leads, there is a greater possibility for the audience wanting to know about your latest offerings. By meeting their demands, you can easily build customer loyalty and increase sales.
According to a recent survey in 2024, 43 percent of marketers claimed that social media marketing has been “somewhat effective” for their business.
3. Virtual Receptionist
Business owners often find it difficult to focus on their work and handle phone calls at the same time. For a business to grow smoothly, both tasks need to be given equal attention. Although they can hire an in-house receptionist to take calls, it can be more expensive than hiring a virtual receptionist.
A virtual receptionist will take calls at any time of the day and forward important calls to you. Also, they will schedule or cancel appointments, process orders, take messages and generate leads.
One big advantage of having a virtual receptionist service is that if one receptionist is unavailable for the day, then the company can provide a substitute receptionist. The cost of having a virtual receptionist is lower as you only have to pay the price for their service.
Some virtual receptionist companies not only provide receptionist service but also online telephone directories to help businesses find important phone numbers.
4. Artificial Intelligence
Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence or AI is rapidly changing the way businesses operate, whether it is big or small in size. According to a survey, 65 percent of businesses believe that AI implementation would free employees from simple tasks.
The power of AI goes beyond the human capability of performing tasks. AI plays a significant role in providing customer support through chatbots, doing repetitive tasks like scheduling meetings, sending emails to targeted clients, and screening candidates for recruitment. In this way, you and your employees can ease up the workload and focus on the important ones.
Other than for business purposes, AI can also be used at home for entertaining people, cleaning the floor, regulating the temperature, protecting the house and so on.
While some AI solutions can be expensive for small businesses, there are affordable options available. By doing research and choosing the right AI solution, you can save your time and make your business profitable.
5. Online Payment Solutions
For businesses, it can be quite embarrassing to turn down customers because of not having their desired payment method. As a result, businesses may find it difficult to run operations due to inadequate finances. This is why offering different payment methods is crucial.
Today, most businesses no longer just accept cash in hand or payment via credit card but they also accept payment through payment gateways.
If customers don’t want to take the hassle of carrying cash or credit cards, a payment gateway is the only solution. Not only it allows hassle-free transaction but also it minimizes the chances of fraudulent activity while protecting the credit card information.
By setting up accounts in popular payment gateways, you can give your customers the convenience to securely make payments.
According to statistics in 2023, nearly 39 percent of worldwide online shoppers stated that they preferred to pay via electronic payment.
Conclusion
To sum up, equipping your business with the latest technology maximizes revenue and enhances customer experience. However, before investing in your preferred technology, it is ideal to learn more about it and whether it can help your business grow.