Because they often have very limited resources, small businesses have to be intentional about the tools they use. They don’t have the luxury of testing out and paying for expensive software and systems they ultimately may not keep, so it’s important that their chosen solutions are budget-friendly and effective from the start.
For these reasons, cloud computing and storage can provide some major benefits for these businesses. With free or low-cost pricing plans available, companies can take advantage of cloud technology to grow their businesses like never before, which is why these eight experts from Young Entrepreneur Council offered some specific and impactful ways that cloud technology can be used by small and medium companies to fuel growth.
1. To Focus On What You Do Best
With the advent and development of cloud tech, a firm can focus on its core competencies while outsourcing their tech stack to reputable infrastructure providers. This allows you to streamline any online interactions with your customers or employees and be able to sleep at night knowing your data is protected, any audits of your technology are successful and you have an agile platform that can be deployed anywhere—all while saving you time, resources and the headaches of maintaining and securing data and infrastructure. – Andrew Saladino, Kitchen Cabinet Kings
2. To Share Files With Clients And Team Members
Cloud technology has revolutionized businesses. Back in the day, businesses would need to purchase very expensive servers that would be difficult to maintain and the data was only available to that specific location. Today, with cloud technology, we can access data from anywhere in the world, virtually from any device. This allows for collaboration between teams and the ability to sort through a lot of data. For example, in our organization, we use Dropbox as a way to store and share files between team members and clients. Before, everything was on a local drive and accessing large files was very cumbersome. – Jean Ginzburg, JeanGinzburg.com
3. To Automate Repetitive Processes
A great part of cloud technology is how much time it can save your small business. It allows you to automate your repetitive, manual processes, like emails, invoicing, payment processing, reminders and more. Data entry is a crucial part of running a business, but if you can leave it for automation to take over, you’re ultimately saving yourself time and money. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
4. To Create A Flexible Working Environment
Small businesses can use cloud computing to create a flexible working environment for their employees. They can use collaborative tools and let people work from anywhere they want without setting up a proper office. This has two benefits: You can hire talented people from across the world and you can save a lot of money that you would have otherwise spent on setting up your office. – Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
5. To Build Solid Customer Relationships
Even if you are just starting out, your small business should place a focus on utilizing a customer relationship management (CRM) software. CRMs can manage contacts, send emails, make calls, track sales, automate processes, market your business and more. Solid customer relationships are a key driver for growth and leveraging a CRM software can help you remain connected to customers, improve business performance and scale the business with ease. With cloud-based CRMs, multiple users can access information from any device simultaneously, allowing your business to keep moving onward and upward. – Ismael Wrixen, FE International
6. To Add Extra Security To Your Network
Small businesses can use cloud computing to add an extra layer of security to their network. Most startups and small businesses are prone to security threats because they invest less in maintaining their security. But with cloud computing, they can have security protocols to safeguard sensitive transactions and data, saving their businesses from malicious threats online. – Josh Kohlbach, Wholesale Suite
7. To Store Your Important Documents
The cloud is an excellent place to keep all of your meeting documents. If you’re like most businesses, you have executive, team and company-wide meetings. If all of your meeting documents are readily available, you don’t have to worry about someone not having access or needing to be sent a file. The cloud makes meeting up with business partners and teams easier than ever before. – John Turner, SeedProd LLC
8. To Simplify Tasks
Especially over the past year, small businesses have really been able to reap the benefits of cloud technology. With so many employees working from home, the cloud system has allowed businesses to simplify tasks and processes while still fueling growth. A huge advantage of the cloud system is that it is not tied to a particular location—it is accessible anywhere. Documents can be stored and then accessed by multiple individuals. For the many companies with different employees working on a single project from various locations, this is a perfect solution. The ability to automate tasks also significantly cuts down on the overall workload. By spending a little time setting up a cloud server, a business can actually automate tasks like posting to social media and sending out email updates. – Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker