Is your business moving as fast as technology?
There are many new tech tools that can help your business gain an edge against the competition. But in order to implement them, you have to understand what they are first.
From data management to marketing, here are some of the newest tech trends that are changing the face of small business.
Augmented Reality
Imagine your potential customers being able to slip on a special headset and “see” your products or concepts in a virtual way. That’s what augmented reality offers. It has already been used by some larger companies to let consumers interact with their print catalogs.
From showing the dimensions of a product to letting people see how furniture for sale would fit into their living space, augmented reality presents a big opportunity for smaller businesses.
Better Cybersecurity
While larger companies beef up their line of defense against cyberattacks, small businesses are still at risk. Consider that hackers target small businesses more than 60 percent of the time.
Businesses that don’t protect themselves from electronic threats could compromise their customers’ information. In some cases, businesses have to pay the hacker to unlock their data, which is commonly known as ransomware.
If you’re not sure how to plug the holes in your systems that can leave you open to attacks, or if your software and hardware are out of date, then it might be time for an IT refresh.
Using Influencers For Marketing
You’ve probably heard of social media influencers. They are the beautiful-looking people that seem to always be traveling and doing something fun and posting it all online.
Turns out they’re an opportunity to boost your marketing. That means you can partner with these influencers to help push out information to their huge audiences about your products and services in return for some kind of compensation.
Automated Customer Service
Artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise. That presents a lot of opportunities for businesses. Chatbots can take over some of the responsibilities of your customer service team by interacting with customers.
AI can also eliminate some manual tasks, making your business more efficient so you can focus on selling.
Streamlined Communications
There are many platforms for employees to communicate electronically in one place (Slack, Basecamp and Google Drive are examples). But emerging technology is expected to allow them all to communicate with one another seamlessly.
This could also save time when updating data, such as customer information. Instead of having to do it in multiple places, it will be updated across the board automatically.
Many employees are working remotely these days. Luckily, there’s also the rise of virtual conference rooms that bring them all together. There’ll be no need for projectors or wires to show a presentation because the information can be digitally streamed to multiple locations.
Invest in The Newest Tech Trends
While you’re focusing on developing new products and services, don’t forget to consider the newest tech trends. They can automate processes and boost your bottom line.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, be sure to return often to read more small business tips and tech updates.
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