As a small business owner or employee, you’re likely all too familiar with the never-ending to-do list and the constant challenge of keeping up with growing workflows. Whether you’re managing a team of employees or running the show solo, finding ways to work smarter—not harder—is key to keeping your business competitive and profitable.
But sometimes that’s easier said than done, right?
The good news is that there are plenty of technology solutions out there designed specifically to help small businesses like yours automate tasks and streamline workflows. From communication management tools to specialized software for managing finances, marketing, and more, these solutions can help you stay organized, save time, and grow your business simultaneously.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the must-have small business technology solutions that will help you stay ahead of the curve.
Ready to expand your tech toolkit and modernize your business with a digital transformation? Let’s dive in.
Benefits of Technology Tools for Small Businesses
Saves costs
One of the most significant benefits of technology tools for startups and local businesses is saving costs. Technology tools such as cloud storage, accounting software, and electronic payment systems have made it possible for small businesses to automate their operations, become more cost-effective, and increase efficiency. Automated business operations also reduce the likelihood of costly errors caused by human error, ultimately saving small businesses more money.
Improves workflow
Technology tools offer a streamlined workflow that can easily be integrated with the business process, allowing business owners to manage their operations more effectively. For instance, project management apps allow teams to collaborate better, which significantly improves workflow and enhances productivity. With an improved workflow, small businesses are better equipped to face the challenge of working with limited resources, increasing their chances of success.
Boosts growth
Technology tools help small businesses to grow by improving their marketing, strengthening customer relationships, and enhancing scalability. Cloud-based software solutions provide small businesses with the same capabilities as large-scale corporations and allow for seamless global reach. With tools like social media, you can reach customers across the globe, expand your customer base, and ultimately increase sales.
Improves customer satisfaction
Technology tools, such as online reviews, customer feedback, and email campaigns, allow you to better understand your customers, their preferences, and their pain points. With this information, you can improve your customers’ experience, enhance the quality of your service and products, and ultimately increase customer satisfaction. Better customer satisfaction equals more repeat customers, which ultimately leads to business growth.
Provides real-time data analytics
Technology tools provide small businesses with real-time analytics for better decision-making. Analyzing the data generated by technology tools can help you identify what is working and what is not, allowing you to make data-driven decisions. This information can help improve business strategies, refine marketing campaigns, or provide insights into product development. The data collected also aids in identifying areas where your business can improve and optimize its operations for maximum performance.
Enables remote work
Technology tools have made remote work possible for small businesses. The ability to work remotely has become a necessity, especially with the recent pandemic, and technology tools such as video conferencing, cloud storage, and project management tools have made it possible. Remote work reduces the cost of traditional office-based operations, improving productivity and work-life balance.
The 9 Best Technology Solutions & Tools for Small Businesses
Not sure what tech tools to add to your toolkit? We’ve got you covered. Let’s go over nine tools that will help you manage customer interactions, achieve your revenue growth goals, and streamline your processes and workflows.
1. Customer relationship management
A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system makes it easy for small businesses to manage interactions with existing and new customers. Podium offers a CRM that was built for small businesses like yours. With Podium, you can simplify customer data management by allowing users to track customer interactions, monitor performance, improve communication, and automate tasks that enhance customer satisfaction—all in one platform. It enables you to search efficiently, organize customers on important attributes and manage conversations, initiate payments, and more. By streamlining these tasks, you can focus on what matters most—delivering quality customer service.
2. Payment processing system
A payment processing system is a tool that allows merchants to accept different forms of payment from customers. Without one, you risk losing sales as customers increasingly prefer to use electronic payments over cash. When searching for a payment processing system, it’s important to consider a few things. First, look for a system with competitive pricing and affordable transaction fees that won’t significantly impact your bottom line. It’s also useful to find a payment processing system that is easy to integrate into your business operations with features such as a mobile app or online portal for easy management.
Podium Payments makes it easy for businesses like yours to get paid using the channels and methods customers prefer. From financing and subscriptions to Buy Now, Pay Later, Podium’s payment solution offers it all.
3. Project management software
Project management software is designed to help teams manage and complete complex projects by providing them with the tools they need to collaborate effectively, communicate efficiently, and stay on track throughout the entire project lifecycle. With the right software in place, your team members can easily share files, assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress—all in one place. This eliminates the need for multiple communication channels and allows team members to focus on their work without getting bogged down by administrative tasks.
However, not all project management software is created equal. Some important factors to consider when looking for a project management tool include ease of use, scalability, collaboration tools, tracking and reporting capabilities, and security features.
Popular tools to consider include Asana, Trello, and Monday.com.
4. Inventory management software
Project management software is a tool that helps businesses keep track of their projects, tasks, team members, deadlines, and other relevant information all in one place. It provides a centralized hub for communication and collaboration between team members, making it easier to delegate tasks and track progress.
When looking for a project management solution, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is ease of use—you want a software that is intuitive and easy to learn so that everyone on the team can get on board quickly. Additionally, it should be customizable to fit your specific business needs. Features like task management, collaboration tools, and reporting and analytics are also important to consider.
A few popular inventory management tools to consider include QuickBooks, TradeGecko, and Cin7.
5. Webchat
It’s no surprise that 41% of consumers prefer live chat support over other options like phone or email. Nobody likes to be kept waiting—when someone contacts a support team, they want a response as quickly as possible. For this reason, live chat tools have become all the rage in recent years. They’re a game changer for businesses and customers, and if you don’t already use one, it’s time to change that.
With Podium Webchat, you can easily convert website visitors into leads by providing real-time support, answering questions, and guiding them toward a purchase decision. Because Webchat moves website conversations to text messaging, potential customers get support from your team quickly, and the conversation keeps going long after they have left your site.
Interested? See Webchat in action on your site.
6. Password management tools
Password management tools are designed to securely store and manage passwords for users. They eliminate the need to remember complex and lengthy passwords for multiple accounts and facilitate easy and quick authentication. Password management tools are also secure as they use encryption to protect the data they are storing. By using a password management tool, you can reduce the risk of data breaches and improve your overall cybersecurity posture.
When choosing a password management tool, businesses should consider factors such as features, pricing, ease of use, and security. Some popular options include LastPass, Okta, and 1Password. LastPass offers a free and premium plan, allowing businesses to choose the plan that fits their budget. Okta provides comprehensive identity management solutions in addition to password management. 1Password offers an easy-to-use interface and strong security features, making it a top choice for several businesses.
7. Accounting software
Accounting software is software designed to automate bookkeeping and accounting processes. These tools help you capture and analyze financial data, thus allowing you to make informed decisions based on real-time business data.
Choosing the right accounting software for your small business can be a daunting task, given the plethora of options available in the market. However, you can maximize the benefits of accounting software by choosing a product that meets your unique needs and requirements. You can start by considering factors such as budget, user-friendliness, features, integrations, and customer support.
One popular accounting software tool to consider is QuickBooks, which is designed to save time and make accounting easy. QuickBooks has a sleek and user-friendly interface, allowing you to manage your business finances quickly and efficiently. It comes with a range of useful features such as invoicing and payments, inventory management, and payroll management.
8. HR management
HR management software, also known as HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems), is a digital tool that helps businesses manage various HR functions and tasks, such as employee data management, payroll processing, benefits administration, performance tracking, training and development, and compliance reporting. HR software can be customized according to the specific needs and goals of your business and can be accessed via web-based platforms or mobile apps.
Some of the key factors to consider when selecting an HR software include the size of the business, the complexity of the HR processes, the level of automation and integration, the cost, the scalability, and the customer support. Small businesses should look for HR software that is user-friendly, intuitive, and time-saving, without compromising on accuracy and security.
A couple of popular tools we’d recommend looking into include BambooHR and Gusto.
9. Payroll software
Payroll software automates the process of calculating and distributing employee payments, enabling businesses to efficiently manage their payroll process from start to finish. Most payroll software solutions offer a suite of features that can benefit businesses of all sizes, including tax compliance, benefits administration, and reporting.
Some of the most popular payroll software solutions on the market today include Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, and ADP.
Keep Growing Your Small Business
Running or working for a small business is no joke—you wear many hats and face countless challenges every day. From managing a team to handling customer complaints and keeping finances in check, time can feel like your most valuable resource—one that you simply don’t have enough of.
With Podium, you can streamline communication with potential and existing customers, manage online reviews, and even process payments—all in one efficient platform.
Podium also makes managing your online reputation a breeze. With Podium, you can monitor and respond to online reviews across multiple sites, including Google, Facebook, and TripAdvisor. You can even request reviews from happy customers, helping to boost your business’s online reputation and attract more customers.
And did we mention that Podium leverages the power of artificial intelligence so that you can get more done faster and smarter than ever before? Podium will change the way you do business—for the better.
Ready to see what Podium can do for you? Start a free trial today.
