Small Business

What do you worry about on Monday morning? If you’re like most small businesses, you’re thinking about how to deliver on the looming order deadlines that you worked on all weekend while meeting your weekly goal of contacting five new customers. And then there’s last month’s accounting to catch up on, as well as making sure you have products to fill incoming orders.

It’s a juggling act, but one that many small business owners are finding a lot easier with the help of technology. As solutions become more affordable and less complex, small businesses are embracing technology to be more productive and to grow their businesses.

So what are some of the technologies that can help you reach new customers and deliver improved customer service?

Web site

Most small businesses, whether they are a sole proprietorship or have 20 employees, are likely to have some presence on the Web. Often, sites offer basic information including company history, contacts and product details. But it’s possible to take your site beyond a virtual business card with professional design, tool bar navigation and online buying. With these elements, you can market your business more effectively and sell beyond your existing markets.

Quick and easy inclusions that can make a marketing difference include placing a contact us button on every page so it’s easy for customers to email or call you. And if you sell products, shopping cart capabilities create an automated, always available and easier-to-manage sales channel for new revenue opportunities.

Toll-free number

If you’re trying to grow beyond your local market, offering toll-free calling eliminates customers paying to reach you. It also contributes to an image of an effective, well-run and customer-focused business.

Mobile devices

If you or your employees spend time on the road, a smartphone or a cell phone can help you stay connected to your business at all times. By forwarding calls from your office to your mobile device, you’ll never miss critical sales calls and you’ll always accessible to address the needs of customers, employees and suppliers.

Software

Easy-to-use software solutions targeted at small businesses simplify complicated, error-prone manual accounting and inventory processes. You’ll be able to invoice and collect revenue more quickly, and track inventory to avoid out-of-stock instances that affect sales. Electronic records are also more efficient in managing customer information and transferring data between colleagues. And with automated, at-a-glance reporting, you can see the areas of your business that are profitable and focus growth efforts accordingly.

At TELUS, small business matters. We are committed to helping you achieve success in every area of your business. We hope that this information generates new ideas on how you can use technology to drive growth and superior service.

To receive small business articles and tips, sign up for TELUS email updates.