Online tools such as software and cloud-based products provide easy ways to simplify, automate and secure your business’ processes, regardless of business size.
However, when you’re looking for a new piece of software or technology to streamline a process, it’s important to take some time to consider what you really need, what your priorities are and how your business will benefit in the long run.
To help with this, we’re sharing 10 different types of online tool which could help improve your business processes. Scroll down to take a look!
Simplify managing your finances
If you’re not great with figures then managing invoices, cash flow, expenses and VAT returns can seem like a bit of a minefield. There are plenty of tools available online to help with your accounting, bookkeeping and payroll. Not only can this help to save time but also a whole load of stress!
Read our handy blog on how to better manage your finances with online tools here.
Online file sharing and storage
Could you improve your process for sharing and storing your business’ documents and files?
There are plenty of cost-effective and easy to use file sharing platforms online (such as Dropbox and Google Drive) which help create a more effective and quicker way of sharing documents between teams. It also removes any duplication of content or work by keeping up-to-date files in one place, accessible by everyone who needs them, wherever they may be based.
Better customer management with CRM
Using a customer relationship management (CRM) system is a great way to manage and understand your present and potential customers. Using a CRM will inform the decisions you make about how and when you communicate with customers, as well as helping you to make the most of how you track and follow up on leads to make sales.
Electronic payments
Systems such as Electronic Point of Sales (EPoS), card payment and electronic payment tools can drastically improve your payment processes by allowing customers the choice of how they pay for products and services. Whether you take payments online, over the phone, by card or by smart device.
EPoS systems are particularly good for retail and hospitality businesses as you can link into a wider IT system to monitor stock levels and understand purchasing patterns. Treorchy-based Wonderstuff invested in an EPoS system to improve stock management – and boosted sales by 33%!
Document management
A document management system offers a simple way to handle and organise the various types of unstructured information that a business typically gathers.
Rather than becoming overwhelmed by reams of paper documents and seemingly random electronic documents, a document management system creates a much more effective process in which you can scan in paperwork, store electronic documents and link them together by common terms.
Productivity software
If you have effective processes in place but are wondering where your time goes or where you could be more efficient it could be worth adopting a time management solution or project management software.
These tools can help you to track the time and resources you’re spending on tasks or specific operations, follow the performance of key projects, organise your tasks by priority and highlight areas of the business you could focus more (or less) time on.
Video conferencing and VoIP
Have you thought about how you could save money, time and effort by improving your communication processes? Instead of accruing more expenses and wasting time travelling to face-to-face meetings, you could use video conferencing to hold a ‘virtual’ meeting.
A Voice over IP system also allows phone calls to be made over an internet connection, so rather than costly telephone calls with clients and customers, you can save a huge amount of money and still have a productive phone call. Superfast Business Wales client Nordic International switched to VoIP and reduced bills from £500 per quarter to £20 per month!
Social media management
Even with a small marketing budget, you can still benefit from marketing tools available online!
Social media management tools such as Hootsuite, Tweetdeck or Sprout Social are usually free or low cost and can help you to keep on top of your social media presence with relative ease. Schedule posts ahead of time, track key hashtags or mentions of your business and follow along with trends in your industry.
Crafty Devil Brewing has never had a huge marketing budget but have made use of industry social media platforms to help grow their brand – and now they’ve opened a city centre pub in Cardiff!
Web analytics
Web analytic tools are not just great for measuring the traffic on your website. It provides a great tool for your business to do market research, understand how people are using the site and make changes to boost sales.
By making website analytics part of your regular review process on a weekly or monthly basis, you will be better placed to understand how your business is performing online, what is and isn’t working for you and the improvements you could make to improve customer engagement, drive more sales and grow your business.
Data back-up
Although most cloud-based file sharing tools can be used to back up business documents and files, there are services available online which are dedicated to backing up the data of an entire organisation.
You may not think it’s necessary right now but in the case of a computer virus or disaster then having a recovery process in place (and the systems to support it) will be crucial.
To learn more about specific online software and tools you might like to implement, take a look at the free Software Directory from Superfast Business Wales. Download the directory now!