Although technology and mobile apps can be life-changing, they have a very specific use in the business world. If you have a small business or are trying to expand your existing business into new markets, leveraging these tools can help a great deal. Here is how to use technology and apps to improve your business.
1. Using digital bookkeeping
Digital bookkeeping and digital books come in a few different forms, but they will all track your inventory and sales in real-time. This means that when you sell something to a customer, the sales price is automatically entered into your records, which reduces errors and saves time.
Programs like Xero bookkeeping services are 100% done on a cloud, and they are completely paperless. Most of these services also sync up to other programs like credit card processors so that you can easily draw information from them as well.
2. Using CRM software
Customer relationship management (CRM) software tracks customers so that you know their preferences and what they buy regularly. It also tracks important dates such as birthdays and anniversaries so that you can send out personalized cards or email newsletters to remind people about your business.
These programs change everything about how you interact with customers, and they are very inexpensive to use.
3. Using social media
Social media has become a massive part of the business world because it's free marketing. By putting your business on sites like Twitter, Linked In or Facebook, you are spreading the word about what you do for other people without spending any money at all.
If combined with other tactics such as blogging, these tools can increase visibility quite dramatically. Many businesses find that by investing in advertising on these sites alone, their profits go up significantly. It is also important to stay active and post regularly so that you don't lose momentum and interest from followers.
4. Using cloud services
Cloud computing has changed the way many businesses operate because it provides access to documents and data from anywhere. If you have a home office, you can log into your computer from the road and pick up exactly where you left off.
On the other hand, if you are running a construction business, using a cloud-based construction management app can greatly streamline project management and collaboration. With a construction management app, you can store and access project plans, blueprints, and documents in a centralized location, which eliminates the need for physical storage and the hassle of sharing and updating files through traditional means like email or USB drives.
If you tend to work on several projects at once, cloud computing is a great way to stay organized and reduce mistakes because everything has a place. You can also use applications like Dropbox to share files with collaborators so that everyone involved in the project always has access to what they need.
5. Using business apps
There are thousands of different types of apps that fall into this category, but it is important not just any app will do. It requires some research beforehand because many companies create apps that don't serve much purpose at all, which wastes time and money for those who download them.
For example, if your business only has two locations, an app like Starbucks' rewards program is a colossal waste of money because it doesn't provide enough value. However, a social media CRM app could be very useful for growing your existing customer base.
6. Using tools to track employees
Every company needs to have some kind of tracking system so that they know where their employees are and what they're doing. In the past, businesses used more traditional systems such as punch cards to keep tabs on workers, but nowadays, there are apps that serve this purpose just as well for a fraction of the price.
If you have remote workers or people who work from home, these apps give management more control over how everyone gets the job done so that they can stay on schedule and not fall behind.
Why is using technology for your business a good thing?
Technology has been a part of the business world for decades, but modern advancements have made new things possible. It used to be cost-prohibitive to use these tools and programs, but they are now available at a low cost for small businesses.
By using various online platforms such as CRM software, social media, and apps, business owners can automate certain aspects of their work without having to hire more employees. The result is an increase in productivity and profits.
Can anyone use this technology for their business?
Anyone who owns a business or works for a company can use these tools to improve their product or service. You don't even need to have any technical knowledge about the underlying software because many of them are very intuitive. Read more about structures and approaches of software team.
However, it is important to understand how these different elements work together so that you can maximize your results. Running a successful business requires strategy just as much as it does hard work, and technology makes it easier than ever before.
Technology is not just a luxury anymore; it is necessary to stay competitive in an increasingly connected world. Whether you own your own business, work for someone else or freelance on the side, technology has many uses that can help you do your job better and more efficiently than ever before.
