7 top business tech tips

If you’re thinking of starting up a new business, you’ll quickly realise how difficult a balancing act it is to stick to a budget while making sure you have all the tools to ensure you can properly do your job.

The dizzying amount of business tech available means you could quite easily blow all your money on any number of hands-free add-ons and pentium-powered peripheries.

So, if you’re just starting out, or you’re looking to upgrade your systems, here are our seven top business tech tips…

1. Get all the tech you need

Even if you’re not running a hi-tech operation, the success of your business could hinge on an efficient and reliable communications system – so make sure you’ve got all the necessary tech hardware and software you need, including the right broadband package.

Even if you have to pay out a bit more up front for more suitable or reliable systems, weigh up the pros and cons, getting a second opinion if necessary. A word of warning, though – it’s easy to go way over budget at this point, so make sure there’s a good reason for everything you buy, it’s about getting the balance right.

2. Get your website right

Your website is often the first, and sometimes only, point of contact your customers will have with your business – so don’t fall into the trap of just making do with a site to have an online presence.

It’s important to tailor your site to the needs of both your business and its customers, make sure it’s easily navigable, responsive to mobile devices and is search engine optimised – a word of warning though, the SEO industry, just like any other, has its fair share of rip-off merchants, so get plenty of quotes for work to make sure you don’t pay over the odds.

And make sure you get a full analytic package so you know who your customers are, as well as how, when and why they got there – this data could be vital to give your business an edge over the competition.

3. Get ahead in the clouds

Storage and data space can be a big issue for small businesses – the good news is you don’t have to blow your entire tech budget on buying an expensive solution as there are plenty of free service providers out there.

For more on cloud storage, read The best ways to keep your head in the clouds

4. Don’t scrimp on security

Over half (55%) of people polled in a recent survey on data security admitted to sending work related emails or documents to their personal email accounts, while almost half (48%) will log on to an unsecured network.

So make sure any devices used by employees have up to date software security installed – including any of their own devices that are used for work purposes – and make sure your business has a strong password policy.

5. Get round-the-clock- support

Make sure you get the right tech support network, and one that is available 24/7 – computer systems don’t just crash during office hours!

And for SEO purposes, try to use a website hosting company that is based in the same country as your business.

6. Get on board with social media

Social media may not be suitable for all businesses, but it’s something that every business owner should consider as a way to get their name out there.

If you’re not convinced by the power of social media, check out this infographic.

7. Consider conference calling

Ever-increasing travel and property costs mean that visiting clients and even renting an office space is an expense you can do without – thankfully, technology is helping to make geography less and less of a consideration in the business world.

And if you can work from home, or have employees work from home, then you’ll need a reliable conference call provider – so consider how many people you are likely to need on a conference call, whether you’ll need international conference calling and then weigh up your options.