Nowadays, it is pretty much a given that you need to use technology in the workplace to be effective. However, technical devices and programs can get expensive quickly. Small businesses can’t afford every form of technology that might be useful. Instead, they must pick and choose the systems that will be most effective for their wok. They must also consider how they use these systems to ensure they are not spending money unnecessarily. Here are a few ideas to consider to get the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to technology spending in small businesses.
1. Bundling TV and Internet
Never be afraid to look for the deals and take your time before making a purchase. Choosing an internet and television provider is not a decision that you should take lightly. While changing your mind later is possible, it is tedious and can be expensive. It would be best to make an economical choice the first time.
You should also evaluate if your business needs both the internet and cable. Most establishments at least need internet to run their POS systems; however, many others such as bars and offices with waiting rooms also need television to entertain their patrons. If you determine that you need both, then you should consider a bundle. Check out this description of a bundling deal from the tech blog DMAD to get an idea of the options that are currently available.
2. Utilizing Free Programs and Apps
One advantage of technology is that once you have a computer with access to the internet, many programs are free or very inexpensive. One mistake many small businesses make is immediately buying pro versions of the software. If you are a small enterprise, then free versions of applications such as Slack, Trello, or Google Drive may be entirely sufficient.
There is no need to upgrade to more expensive versions of these programs before you need to. If you have been using one of these programs frequently and the free version is stunting your work capacity, then you may need to invest in an upgrade. However, make sure that the benefits outweigh the costs before going forward with the purchase.
3. Taking Full Advantage of Social Media Marketing
While social media can be frustrating at times, as a marketer, it gives you unprecedented access to your customers for free. Make sure to take advantage of the analytics that Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms offer to learn how your product is growing and learn what you can do to enhance its success.
Word of mouth has historically been one of the most effective ways to get people to patronize a particular business. Think of social media as a digitized word of mouth. Do what you can to foster good reviews and get your loyal customers to promote your work to their friends and followers.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to use social media to build a strong relationship with your customers. Work to build engagement and brand loyalty through honest interactions. Follow the 70/30 rule. 70% of your posts should be content-based, while 30% should be sales-based. Content-based posts need to be engaging and entertaining without shoving a sales pitch down your customers’ throats. If you can master social media marketing, then that is a whole new marketing world you can engage in for free.
Small businesses should embrace technology. However, they should do so prudently. Just because you dole out a bunch of money on new software doesn’t mean it will automatically make your organization successful. If you are going to invest in technology, then you should also invest in training to make sure that your staff can use it effectively and efficiently.
