Starting your own business takes a lot of work. Keeping your business running takes even more.
There are tons of tools available on the web to help make things a little easier. From boosting your marketing strategies to keeping your information secure on the web, keep reading to learn five essential tools every business needs.
1. Online Security
Perhaps the most important tool any business can invest in is online security software for identity theft protection. While protecting equipment against spam and viruses is also important, protecting against identity theft is something many businesses overlook.
Whether your employees are using their work laptops or bulk tablets for personal use or you are a small business utilizing your own personal equipment, cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to access everything from your passwords to your banking information and your Social Security number.
Starting at less than $10 a month, the cost of LifeLock is nothing compared to the cost of dealing with identity theft after it’s already happened to you.
2. The Right Website Builder
Thanks to ultra-simplified tools, just about anyone, regardless of their previous design experience, can create and launch their own website. But that doesn’t guarantee the site will be a success.
No matter how small or new your business is, you need a website that is professional, well-designed, and ready to handle the amount of web traffic you’re expecting to receive.
You don’t necessarily need to spend thousands of dollars to have a professional design your site. But investing in a website builder that gives you templates to create a great-looking site, as well as help making sure that your site is responsive, can make a huge difference.
The average web surfer will leave a new site after just 20 seconds. If your site is slow to load, tough to navigate, or looks unprofessional, your visitors will not be likely to stick around long enough to make a purchase or even learn more about your business.
3. Mobile Marketing
In the U.S., the average adult spends more than three hours on their smartphone each day. More time spent on our phones also means more time surfing the web and shopping online.
If your business isn’t already focusing some time and money on your mobile marketing strategy, now is the time to start.
4. Email Management
While mobile ads might help drive new customers to your business, email is still an important tool for connecting with existing customers.
Email management software can help you send out newsletters, coupons and updates on new products. Use it to automate your email schedule so that you won’t have to remember to send out daily or weekly updates to your clients.
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5. Team Communication
Whether COVID-19 has your employees working from home or they’re back to sitting just across the office from one another, streamlining your communications is key to encouraging teamwork and cutting back on downtime.
There are tons of communication tools that make this easy. Slack, Trello, and Google Hangouts are all inexpensive to use but offer tons of unique ways for your employees to connect. You can host video chats, instant message one another, and collaborate on projects from anywhere by purchasing ipads in bulk.
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Choosing the Best Tools for Your Business
Which tools your business needs to grow or streamline your operations will vary from one company to the next. But with these handy tools, you can make communication a breeze, manage your marketing strategies, build a better website, and protect your identity on the web with ease, no matter what kind of business you are or your company’s size.
