Business and technology are no longer two separate entities these days. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a major role in the business industry, and its significance has constantly increased over the years. In today’s most challenging phase of the new normal, every business uses ICT. It provides an ideal platform for employers, employees, and consumers and aids in broadening their market reach.
There are great tools out there that every small business could use to increase growth over time. From establishing your brand to building relationships with your clients, the right tools can help entrepreneurs like yourself and your team increase productivity, work more cost-efficiently, and provide better experiences for your clients. As an entrepreneur, one of your duties is to find the right tools that can help you handle any setback. Below is a list of 8 must-have tools that every small business can utilize.
1.File-Sharing Tools
A file-sharing tool is an application or software that facilitates collaboration and transferring of files. These applications allow end-users to upload files to shared storage space and personalize accessibility to its members. With tools like GogoPDF, large document sharing can be easily done.
Workplace file-sharing tools fall into two major groups: consumer and business-grade. Consumer applications and software are cloud-based and offer collaboration tools. With the use of cloud-based tools, users are allowed to store, sync, and share files. These tools are primarily designed for the personal use of consumers and are typically free. They feature user-friendly interfaces but often lack the controls to oversight features of business applications. On the other hand, business file-sharing applications tend to offer more features for security and compliance.
2.Mobile Marketing Tools
Mobile Marketing is the practice of marketing your business in a way that appeals to mobile users. It consists of advertisements that appear on mobile smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. Mobile marketing ads can come in different formats, styles, and their customization may vary, as many social media platforms, websites, and mobile applications feature their own tailored mobile ad options.
There is a wide variety of mobile marketing strategies to try:
- SMS: SMS marketing involves capturing a phone number of a user and sending them text offers. This strategy is considered somewhat passé. One advantage of SMS is that it is already installed on all phones. That means users do not have to download your app. However, texts are often considered more intrusive and obnoxious.
- Push notifications: On the other hand, push notifications are less intrusive since potential customers are given a chance to opt-out in their phone settings. With this mobile marketing strategy, potential consumers can get your marketing messages even without having direct access to the app.
- In-app messages: In-app messages guide your users within the app. One downside is that in-app messages are seen as obnoxious if they are overused. The key is to use this in a way that the user experience is not disturbed. In-game advertisements can appear as banners, pop-ups, or even video ads that appear during loading screens.
3.Content Management System
A content management system (CMS) is a tool used to help users with little to no technical knowledge formulate, create, manage, and revise content. It is a system that aids entrepreneurs build a website without needing to know about coding. Instead of using your time building a system that will create web pages, store images, and other functions, CMS will handle all that basic infrastructure stuff for you. This tool allows you to direct your focus on more forward-facing parts of your website, leading to you spending your time more efficiently.
4.Social Media Management Tools
Social media can be a powerful tool for small businesses when used appropriately. It helps small businesses since you can use it to find new customers, drive traffic to your website, and keep in touch with existing consumers. Other than that, social media is one of the biggest marketing platforms nowadays. But managing various social networks is time-consuming and sometimes next to impossible. If you want to run your social media networks properly, you need to find the right tools.
Social media management tools allow you to automate, analyze, better control, and dive deeper into your social media accounts so you can focus on creating great content. These tools enable users to post the same updates on all their social accounts, schedule future updates, and help in finding the most appropriate content to post and times to post it.
5.Financial Tracking Tools
Finance software and apps can help you understand the basics, become more efficient at managing your money, and even help you explore ways to meet your long-term financial goals. Choosing the finance software that will suit you best depends on your aims and current financial needs. There are finance tracking tools that can help you comprehend budgeting and expense tracking, and others help with investment portfolio management.
6.Recruiting Software
Recruiting software is a section of human resources management (HRM) that deals with the processing of job postings and attracting top talent for vacant positions within a company. From job posting and announcement to reviewing potential recruits, this software streamlines the entire candidate search and hiring process, automating when possible to lessen the workloads. By reducing paperwork and submitting resume and candidate search functions, the tool makes it easier for organizations to find and hire employees.
7.Team Management Software
Team Management Software enhances collaboration and work coordination. Sometimes using simple tools, such as time-tracking apps, can go a long way. With the correct use, TMS can boost the productivity and work quality of your team.
The significance of TMS is to enhance your company’s overall performance. Team management apps help in keeping everyone on the same page. It also helps in tracking and making sure that no one from the team is falling behind. When using these apps, it’s easier for managers to check in with their team members and find out what they need early on before problems can arise.
8.Customer Relationship Management
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a tool for managing all your relationships and interactions with customers and potential customers. CRM is the combined applications, strategies, and technologies that companies use to administer and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. The intent is to improve customer service relationships and assist in customer retention and drive sales growth.
The Tools Every Business Needs to Succeed
In this article, we saw that there is no longer a division between business and technology. Businesses now use technology as if it was their partner. They now acknowledge and give importance to the benefits that technology provides.
The second half of the article discussed eight essential tools that small businesses need to grow and succeed. These range from file-sharing tools to customer relationship management tools that will allow you to ensure the retention of consumers.
The point is this. Handling a business, no matter how small, is always challenging. Setbacks and hindrances will always be present, but having a dependable team, vast knowledge, and the right tools supporting you will get you through it. So one takeaway is that it is significant to choose the tools that will meet your needs appropriately and help in the growth of your business. Do not be afraid to experiment and find ways where technology can make your business life easier.
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