The world of business is constantly evolving, and IT needs to evolve with it. We’ve seen a significant shift in the past few years from physical space to virtual space. This will continue as businesses become more mobile and need to be able to work anywhere at any time. In this blog post, we explore some upcoming trends for small business IT in 2021 so you can ensure your company is prepared!
1. An Online Presence is a Must
The first trend that will be continuing as 2021 moves forward for small business IT is the need to have an online presence. Customers are looking at companies more often on websites and social media than ever before in today’s world. If your company doesn’t have any web presence, you could miss out on potential sales or communication with current customers! Even if you don’t sell products directly over the internet, it’s still important people want to know who they are buying from and whether other users had a good experience working with them. No matter what industry you operate in, it is crucial that your brand has a website so people can find information about how long you’ve been around, your locations, what your business is all about, and most importantly, contact information so they can reach out directly if needed.
Having a robust online presence will not only allow customers to find you online, but you’ll also be able to use these platforms to reach customers who never found you. Many platforms offer highly targeted marketing and various other benefits to help your web preference improve daily.
2. Get Employees to Work Remotely
The second trend continuing into 2021 for small business IT is the need to get employees working remotely. This means allowing your team members to work from home or at least close by so they can avoid time wasted commuting every day. Being able to let them continue doing their job no matter where they are makes it easier on everyone involved, especially if you have staff who have a family. As an added benefit, it will allow people more free time during the week, which should increase morale across the board. The main challenge of getting employees working remotely is making sure there are enough technological accommodations set up in advance. Making sure the right VPN is in place, the correct anti-virus is installed, and all systems are monitored etc. are of great importance. This will improve productivity between employees and play a vital role in creating a more sustainable business model doing its part in forging a better future for younger generations.
3. Mobile Communication is Key
The third trend that will be continuing into 2021 for small business IT is the need to prioritize mobile communication. More and more companies are allowing their employees to use smartphones or tablets to communicate with clients, enabling them to avoid time wasted by going back and forth over emails. Mobile communication also makes it easier for people on staff who have limited access at home due to family obligations – they’ll no longer feel like an inconvenience when you require them to respond quickly! In addition, having this level of flexibility can help your company save money since fewer phone lines mean lower costs overall. The main challenge here is ensuring everyone has all necessary software downloaded, so they can communicate regardless of whether they’re a computer or smartphone/tablet user. It also allows you to monitor how employees communicate with clients to ensure they’re not rude or unprofessional.
4. CRM Systems Dramatically Increase Productivity
The fourth trend that will be continuing into 2021 for small business IT is the need to use CRM systems. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) can help your company track important information about past and current customers. This helps to know exactly how to communicate with them in a way they’ll respond well to. It also makes it easier to have large conferences or sales calls since there are already prepared notes on each person! With these types of benefits, no wonder more companies are opting into this style of communication. Beyond just saving time and improving productivity, it allows everyone involved to feel like their needs matter because everything has been documented ahead of time-based on what was discussed previously. The main challenge here is making sure employees understand how CRMs work and why they’re so beneficial to the company’s bottom line. In addition, you’ll need to make sure your CRMs are easy enough for all employees on staff regardless of technical capabilities.
5. Technology is Vital for Business Continuity
The fifth and final trend that will be continuing into 2021 for small business IT is the need to understand how vital technology is. Technology allows companies to communicate better internally and externally with clients, which helps create a positive customer experience overall. The main challenge is making sure your employees understand why tech matters so much in small businesses today. Training your employees on how to properly use the pieces of technology you put into place plays a vital role and the success of your small business.
Small business IT in 2021 will be continuing trends that have already been happening for the past few years. These include prioritizing mobile communication, using CRM systems to gain insight into clients and improve productivity, and understanding how vital technology is today. The better your business performs with innovative technology, the more you’ll need the services of IT professionals who will play a critical role in the efficiency of your tech-driven business in 2021.
Contact Ardent for all your IT needs today.