Remote technology has created tremendous opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Parents can work from home while raising a family. Travelers can find work-life balance while exploring the world. Global connectivity allows many people to leave traditional employment to pursue their passions.
Having the right tools makes all the difference when starting a small business.
If you’re running a startup, you know that every penny counts. Managed IT support services can help you save money and get the most out of your IT infrastructure. By outsourcing your IT needs to a professional IT management company, you can focus on running your business while leaving IT management to the experts. Managed IT support services can help you save money by reducing the need for in-house IT staff, and they can also help you use your IT infrastructure to its full potential. full.
Here are some of the basics to consider when exploring this exciting opportunity.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
Managing and cultivating customer relationships is essential to small business success. However, tracking down leads and organizing the details for each prospect is overwhelming.
Implementing a simple CRM system will help you juggle customer relationships without letting anyone fall through the cracks. This tool is also incredibly valuable for reviewing previous runs during slow periods.
The right CRM tool will also show important data points that tell you exactly what’s going on in your business. You can see examples of KPI in sales to determine which data points are relevant to your business. You can then use this information to make strategic decisions.
Basic project management software
A business owner wears many hats – especially during the early days. You can be the CEO, head of operations, production floor worker, social media marketer and accountant. In the midst of all these tasks, it’s not uncommon to drop a few balls or forget that amazing idea you had late at night.
Implementing some basic project management software into your daily routine can revolutionize your schedule. Use this to stay on top of things, delegate tasks and prioritize your efforts.
Accounting and billing software
Getting paid is arguably the most important process in your business. The IRS would argue that paying them is even more important. Implementing simple accounting and billing software will help with these integral tasks.
The benefit of a centralized accounting and billing system is that it will simplify things at tax time. Instead of manually recording payments from different portals, a centralized system can be synchronized with invoices, expense account, etc. to capture information about you.
Social media automation
Social media is both a blessing and a curse for a small business. You can use this digital ecosystem to connect with potential customers worldwide. You can build a following that rivals the big brands and contributes to your continued success.
However, it is time consuming and frustrating.
Social media automation tools help ease the marketing burden. You can use these tools to create and schedule your posts in advance so you can set them and forget them. With these tools, you turn to the algorithm without sacrificing your sanity as a business owner.
Email Marketing Software
Many small business owners make the tragic mistake of relying solely on social media. Implementing email marketing software creates another customer touchpoint through which you can nurture customers. This also creates another point of connection for when Instagram crashes – a costly incident very experienced entrepreneurs in 2021.
Final Thoughts
Investing in the right tools helps entrepreneurs put sustainable systems in place so they can focus on revenue-generating activities. Many tools are available on a freemium plan that you can scale with your business.
When in doubt, consider how long it takes you to make something by hand and how much it would cost someone to compensate you for that time. You’ll find that the opportunity cost of doing something poorly is worth the investment in basic business tools.
