If you’re starting up a business or running one already, and you don’t have much of a tech background, it can be a little daunting at first. Understanding all the things you’ll need to get started can be difficult, but there are many resources online and beyond to help you through. Here are our top tips on how to make your business tech-savvy.
Get help when you need it
You’re not always going to know what to do or how to do it when it comes to your business’ IT needs. Being a small business will often mean you can’t afford to have IT staff on hand, so an easy way to get around that is to use IT support contracts. They’ll do all the things you need them to do, and you don’t need to pay a permanent staff member.
Don’t cut back on content
If your business relies on content to gain traffic and create conversions, then it’s worth investing in a real content writer. SEO writing, in particular, if done correctly, can get your business the correct organic exposure it needs. Being able to craft a well-written and engaging article is not something everyone can do. Find a freelance or permanent staff writer who has knowledge of that sector.
Is your website accessible?
Nothing will lose you business faster than a website that is impossible to navigate. Make sure your website is as user-friendly as it can be. When you’re familiar with your own website, it’s often hard to see the flaws, so ask friend and family to help out. Task them with finding a particular product or page on your website and watch how easy or difficult it is for them. Take note of their feedback and use this to improve your design.
Understand social media
Depending on your type of business, social media can be invaluable in helping you gain exposure. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram can showcase your products and expertise online. Plus, it’s a great way to understand your core audience, what it is they’re looking for and any feedback they may have about your business. It costs nothing to set up social media accounts for your business, and if you see that they are working for you, you can later decide to invest further. Sign up to Twitter now for a personal account and get to grips with how it works. Once you feel ready to take the plunge, it’s time to create an account for your business.
Keep everything in one place
It can get pretty frustrating having to send documents back and forth via email. Often you can’t make changes at the same time as someone else. Cloud-based storage programmes like Dropbox make life much easier. Simply give access to your employees and they can download any of the business’ files on the go. On top of this, use Google Docs to create Word or Excel documents. These can then be edited simultaneously by your staff making it much easier for people to collaborate.