In the age of Internet of Things and ever-growing and improving smart tech, it’s no surprise that startups are using technology in order to grow and boost their chances of success in a highly competitive industry. Today’s technology offers a wide range of opportunities for startups to make important parts of running a business, like project management and marketing, much easier. Here are 4 ways that startups can use technology to grow.
1. To boost productivity
Employee productivity is important, especially if you want each day to count. To improve office productivity, there are many different tech applications that can be used. One of the top options is to use time tracking software. This application keeps track of how each of your employees spends their time throughout the day. This not only increases productivity but also boosts accountability and can even lend its way to process improvement.
You’ll also find that project management and task management tools allow you and your employees to stay on top of the daily business responsibilities. From responding to emails from clients to completing tasks for a quick turnaround project, this these applications ensure you’re crossing all T’s and dotting all of the appropriate I’s.
The last tech application to consider for a productivity boost is a digital filing system. Avoid using shared drives with folders that nest dozens of layers deep. Instead, invest in a digital filing system that allows you to store, share, and collaborate on files. Today’s modern options utilize the cloud for cheaper storage and greater availability.
2. Better manage money
Knowing where your money is going is important, but as a startup, you likely don’t have the money to hire an accountant. The good news is that there’s a wide range of technologies that you can use to effectively manage your money and balance your books.
To start, use a budget tracking app that allows you to stay on top of your expenses. With the help of automation, you can reduce expenses and know exactly where all of your business dollars are going. Budget tracking software also makes it much easier when it comes time to file taxes.
3. Add convenience for customers
We live in the age of on-the-go shopping. Customers are looking for instant access to their favorite products and to the companies that sell them. In order for your company to grow, it’s important to find ways to make your customer’s lives easier and more convenient. To do this, consider ways you can use the Internet and online services.
For example, opening an online store not only increases the number of customers you can reach, it also makes purchasing from your company much more convenient. This allows customers to try out your product or service without having to physically go to your store.
Aside from an online store, you can also offer your services entirely online. Let’s assume you run a pharmacy. You could continue operating a brick and mortar location while also offering online prescription delivery services. Up and coming companies like Medly Pharmacy are already in the business of online prescription delivery. These services are convenient and remove the common hassles of going to the pharmacy, such as standing in line.
4. Improve company visibility
The success of a startup relies on its ability to market itself. The more consumers that know about your company, the better chance you have of landing leads and making conversions. While there are always business cards and word-of-mouth referrals, using technology is one of the most effective ways to get buzz around your business.
The most obvious technology is social media. Sites like Google+, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are all great places for promoting your brand and your product or service. Because these sites are used by millions of users, you can greatly increase who knows about your company.
Another online-based option for marketing your startup is to create a company blog. Blogging draws a great amount of organic traffic to your website. The more people who visit your website, the better chance you have of visitors turning into conversions.
Other tech-based options for marketing your startup include:
- Email marketing
- Online advertising
- A company mobile app
- Content marketing and management
By making marketing a top priority for your startup, you can increase visibility and spread the good news about your brand and what you bring to the industry.
Conclusion
Even if you aren’t a tech company, using technology to improve your business just makes sense. From software suites to mobile apps, there are all sorts of technological advances that you can employ to better your startup, giving you a much higher chance of growing. Be sure to incorporate these 4 technologies to better your business.
