6 Tools You Can Use To Modernize Your Business

If you own a small business, your goal is to grow. To do that, you need to modernize your business and make it more efficient. For many small businesses, this means modernizing their IT systems and infrastructure. 

While some of these tasks can be handled by hiring an in-house IT professional or consulting with an outside firm, there are plenty of tools available that can help you do it yourself while saving money on staff.  

Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is a great way to store files online, and it’s much easier than you think. It’s also secure, so your data is safe in the cloud. Cloud storage has many benefits:

• You can access your files from any device, like a smartphone or computer.
• Sharing files with coworkers is easy through cloud storage.
• Backing up your files on the cloud means that you’ll always have an extra copy of them if something happens to your computer or hard drive.

According to Zippia, 67% of enterprise infrastructure is now cloud-based. Therefore, if you haven’t arranged cloud storage solutions for your business, you should do it now. 

VoIP Phone Service

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol takes the idea of a business phone and brings it into the age of the internet. VoIP phone service is a cost-effective way to replace your old landline. It essentially connects your business number to the internet and allows you to use that same number from multiple devices while cutting down on the unnecessary costs associated with a landline. 

However, remember that VoIP services vary in terms of what features they provide and how much they cost depending on that. Therefore, review your business needs and check VoIP reviews before you choose a service provider. 

Website Monitoring

Having a smart and modern-looking website can do wonders for your business. Linkedin reports that 79% of small businesses that have a website expect to grow by at least 25% in the next 3 to 5 years compared to 64% of businesses that don’t. But you need to review the performance of your website in order to know how you can improve it. 

Website monitoring apps track the behavior of people who visit your website to find patterns. You can use this data to better understand where your visitors are coming from, what they do on the website, who’s visiting, and when they’re visiting. This way, you’ll be able to tailor messaging based on these insights and ultimately increase conversions.

There are many tools for monitoring your website, but two of the most popular ones are Google Analytics and New Relic. Both offer free plans, which you can use as a beginner before moving up to paid subscriptions as your business grows.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Customer relationship management (CRM) software is a tool that helps you manage and organize your customers. It helps you track information such as contact details, purchase history, preferences, and interests. CRM software can also help you track leads, sales opportunities, and more.

The system organizes all of this data into one place so that it’s easy for employees to access it on any device. In many cases, it even automatically generates reports based on the information.

But why is it important? IvespCRO reports that the probability of successfully selling to an existing customer is 60-70%. But the same probability goes down to 5-20% when it is a new customer. Therefore as a business owner, you have to prioritize retaining your existing customer. A CRM can help you streamline customer service and make their experience of doing business with you more pleasurable. 

Email Marketing

Email marketing is a great way to reach your audience and build relationships with your customers. It’s also cost-effective, allowing you to connect directly with customers without burning through budgets on other channels like social media or paid advertising. Litmus reports that for every $1 you invest in email marketing, you generate $36 dollars. Higher than any other channel. 

Email marketing campaigns can showcase products and services, promote special offers, build brand awareness and drive sales. For example, if you own an e-commerce store, then email marketing will allow you to send out discount codes or product information directly to people who have purchased from your store in the past. 

Email marketing software automates the entire process and allows you to save a lot of time that you would otherwise have to spend handcrafting emails. 

Project Management

Project management is the art and science of planning, organizing, and managing a project from start to finish. In business, project managers can be found in all departments and are responsible for making sure that all projects get completed on time and within budget. Project management is often considered a ‘soft’ skill, but it can be an essential part of any organization’s success if used correctly.

Zippia notes that companies that promote collaboration are 5 times more likely to be high performers than companies that don’t. Project management software like Trello allows you to organize and share project-related information, track deadlines, and issue reminders when necessary. It can make collaboration among coworkers and departments much easier and is a tool you should definitely have as a business owner. 

Building up a business can be very difficult, but by making smart use of the tools mentioned above, you can make yourself and your team much more efficient. Every successful business around you is using these tools to give itself an edge. Why shouldn’t you?