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You have the idea, the ambition, and the foolproof business model to guide you to success, but have you got the right tech?
Modern businesses are increasingly reliant on tech solutions, and for good reason. It reduces the workload, drives productivity, automates the mundane, and helps them stand out and get organized in a highly competitive arena.
In theory, tech’s business benefits are limitless, provided you use the options that suit your personal needs best.
There is plenty to choose from, too, from advanced hardware to SaaS solutions. It can be difficult to know what will give you the edge you need without doing your research first.
Thankfully, the list below has you covered, so be sure to check it out if you need to give your brand-new startup a running jump into the business world and stay afloat once it lands.
A Cloud Digital Asset Management (DAM) System
While many companies still develop incredibly powerful and reliable in-house IT infrastructures, this is not always the most feasible option for startups, as it tends to be expensive and time-consuming, and it can be difficult to find the staff to maintain it properly.
Countless entrepreneurs turn to a cloud-based system for ease of accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and elite-level support without the need to take on new members of dedicated staff.
By adopting a dependable DAM system, you can look after your cloud assets with ease. Never again will you need to worry about becoming digitally disorganized or misplacing sensitive data; your DAM system can take care of this for you, acting as a centralized hub for your online activity.
Plus, a cloud-based IT infrastructure is both flexible and easily scalable, extremely noteworthy points for a new company to consider. The world of business can weave, wax and wane on a dime, so having the right IT system can help you adapt to the road ahead.
Image Editing Tools
If you plan on creating top-quality content of any kind, you will need some editing tools to help you out.
There are some amazing offerings online, many of which are completely free of charge, ideal for any business owner looking to save some pennies and take their design responsibilities into their own hands.
Canva is one of the more popular options, as is Photoshop, Coral, and Logo Design, but it is worth having a look around for yourself too.
For those of you wishing to create some stunning social media posts to promote your new brand on the go, there are some great apps for that, too, like Aviary, Phonto, and Kapwing.
Analytical Tools for Marketing
Thanks in part to the many wonders of modern technology, you no longer necessarily need a huge team of marketing moguls to create an effective campaign.
In fact, if you have a keen eye for innovative marketing tactics (and, of course, the right tools), you can oversee an entire campaign as a solo mission.
You will probably need some analytics tools to help you with this. Otherwise, how will you know whether or not your campaign is performing well?
A good DAM system will be able to provide you with analytics on how well your assets are performing, so it is worth thinking about whether or not your prospective system boasts this option. For example, a good DAM solution can be integrated with your various workflows and content delivery systems, allowing you to measure brand performance consistently across multiple channels via a singular online platform.
You should also have built-in analytics tools in your website’s CMS (content management system), so do not forget to check out your statistics; it can help inform your content creation and placement.
If you have a WordPress website, there are plenty of addons to explore in terms of marketing analytics, simply conduct a quick search in the ‘Add New’ section of the Plugins tab in the dashboard, and you’ll be met with a wealth of options.
Communication Software
Communication is key in business! Your customers need to be able to reach you, but so too do your employees. Do not worry if you don’t have any of either yet. This will come in time.
The free version of Zoom is still one of the more popular options, and it will certainly do the trick when you first start out, but as you evolve as a business, you will likely need a premium option that features some more comprehensive tools, like comment control tools, high security, HD streaming, and consistent file sizes.
You may want to check out Cisco or Slack, or possibly Discord if you’re looking for a user-focused, accessible alternative to Zoom.
Portable Chargers
Onto the hardware, portable chargers can be a life saver for the busy entrepreneur, so if you find yourself on the go with work to do at any point, they are well worth looking into.
Portable laptop and phone chargers can save you from running out of juice at the most inopportune moment (seemingly the favorite moment of the modern device).
A Second Monitor
Second monitors can help you split the workload up, quite literally. If you get tired of swapping between screens, scrambling to find files in the middle of a call, or you simply just need more viewing space, a second monitor is a great tech tool for you.
You can get your hands on a good monitor for not very much money nowadays, like the Acer R240HY Bidx or the Dell P2219H, for example.
They come in all shapes and sizes, so take a look at your options before settling on your second monitor. You may find it helps you speed up your workflow in an instant.
Chatbots
It can be difficult to keep up with your customers when you run a small operation, so you may find chatbots act as a valuable ally.
They can help boost customer engagement and possibly even aid lead generation, important elements for any startup to take seriously.
Ultimately, the tech that works best for you will depend on the type of business you’re trying to run, but as long as you get some help in the fundamental areas of business, like communication, organization, and marketing, you shouldn’t go too far wrong.
