While it may sound daunting (and expensive) to invest in new technology, it may well save you money in the long run, and if you make use of business solutions on your phone it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
You probably already have the biggest investment in your pocket already: your smartphone. With a huge library of business-focused apps, small businesses can cash in on mobile tech easier than larger companies with infrastructures that still rely on older tech or paper systems.
If you’re not taking advantage of mobile technology, here are 5 ways to save big with simple tech.
- Boost on-the-go productivity
Mobile apps have revolutionised the way we do business. The phrase “I’ll do that when I get back to my desk,” isn’t heard much these days since the “desk” is right there in your pocket. You can work from almost anywhere with apps that simplify communicating with contractors and clients while you’re on the go. One of which is Trello – a workflow app designed to organise tasks via cards, where you can assign them to contractors, attach documents, lists and due dates. Organising a promotional event or small business meetup? Eventbrite lets you keep tabs on event planning. You can track ticket sales, check-in guests and edit any event details on the spot.
- Improve cash flow
Invoices can be a real pain for small business owners, especially if you’re still using paper. Unpaid invoices can easily add up as customers toss them aside to “pay it later”. Apps like Invoice2go let you create and send professional invoices as soon as the job is done and while it’s fresh on the customer’s mind. With additional features like payment reminders and the ability to accept debit, credit and in-person payments, your cash flow will be much healthier.
- Collaborate with team members in real time to increase productivity
If you often work with a team of freelancers or contractors for a job, everyone must be on the same page so the work gets done right and on time. Wherever you are, at home or on the job, use apps like Skype to host video or audio conferences to keep your team members on track. One useful feature of Skype is screen sharing, so when you are at your laptop or PC, you can share what’s on your computer screen in real time to your team members’ mobile devices no matter where they are.
- Reduce your travel time
Do you spend a large portion of your day on the road going from job to job? If so, travel apps are your friend to get you from A to B in the most efficient way. Waze is a community-based GPS app that lets you plan the shortest routes to your destination. It uses real-time reporting of accidents and traffic jams so you can plan the best route and maximise your working time.
- Connect instantly with customers
When you need to share business updates with your customers or post a limited time offer, social media apps are the way to go. Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more to announce promotions and news so your customers don’t miss it. Having a consistent social presence is a great way to nurture relationships with existing customers and build your brand. If you have an email marketing list, try apps like Mailchimp to quickly create and send out a campaign to your customers from wherever you are.
No matter how you feel about mobile technology and business via smartphone apps, it’s something that’s here to stay. If you have a mobile phone or tablet, make sure you’re taking full advantage of what it can do for your business. You’ll be surprised at how much time and money you could save in the long run.
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