6 Game-Changing Technologies For Small Businesses

Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.

Adapting to the market as a small business can make a big difference when it comes to success. This is especially true for small businesses in a competitive market, or local small businesses ready to grow.

How can small businesses grow and succeed in the digital age? Game-changing technologies. Technology is part of every business, regardless of size and target audience location.

For example, tech-minded small businesses ready to scale via app development may need to implement a container registry via JFrog Docker. Or if you have a small local business ready for ecommerce, automation utilizing chatbots could prove valuable.

What game-changing technologies can your small business employ for greater profits? The following may help you answer this question. Let’s dive in!

1. Smart Payment Technology

Digital innovation has led many small businesses toward smart payment technologies, like Apple Pay and Google Wallet. As more consumers make the switch to smart payments, businesses, including small businesses, need to innovate as well.

However, there are special considerations small business owners need to be aware of when using smart payment technology to process payments in-store and online — Payment security.

The rise in cyber threats makes it a bit more risky for smart payments. But wit a bit of due diligence and research into cyber security, a small business can protect consumer information and business data.

2. Small Business Security Technology

When it comes to game-changing technology for small businesses, it is critical to think about security. And customer information security is not the only consideration. Hackers and other cyber criminals are on the hunt for intellectual business property too.

Business data can be stolen and held ransom by hackers for a pretty penny. Small businesses are at as much risk as big companies, since many small businesses don’t have cyber security technology in place.

Here are a few cyber security tips:

Set up 2-step verification and/or email encryption service
Have password management security in place via platforms like LastPass
Train employees on phishing scams, ensuring best practices are in place
Have online transaction security protocols set up
Schedule consistent security risk sweeps for malware and other cyber threats

3. Machine Learning Chatbots

Chatbots are already a part of business practices, especially in the space of customer service. This is a small business technology that can help create a powerful user experience and customer satisfaction.

Chances are, you have had a chat with a machine learning chatbot online before. These artificially intelligent bots can field common consumer questions, help troubleshoot on products and/or services, and much more.

There are also social media chatbots that can help sway consumers to visit your store to make purchases. Learn more about machine learning chatbots for small businesses and leverage this game-changing technology for increasing small business growth and sales.

4. Tech-Minded Wearables

Small businesses can take advantage of tech wearables to boost business productivity, and help employees achieve goals, both personal and professional. Tech-minded wearables can also boost communication, like having your team accessible 24/7 with an Apple Watch or FitBit.

There are also GPS tracking benefits. Let’s say you run a small shipping business and want to track driver and package movements more effectively without spending a ton of money on large GPS and tracking software. Wearable tech can be a cost-effective solution.

5. 3-D Printing Technology

Scaling a small business can prove challenging. But with a new product idea, you can keep your market growth outpacing the competition. How can you create the next profitable product in-house? 3-D printing technology.

Small businesses can now leverage 3-D printing to bring new product ideas to life without outsourcing everything. From blueprint to electronic configuration, most small businesses ready to create a product can rely on 3-D printing to get the job done.

6. Drone Technology

From creative services to real estate, drone technology can be a big time game-changer. For example, if you want to grow your creative services small business with videography, you can get a drone and start making amazing videos.

There is a bit of a learning curve, depending on how advanced the drone is, but with a bit of practice, any small business owner can shoot high-quality aerial video to market to customers.

Wrapping Up . . .

The above 6 game-changing technologies for small businesses can certainly help your business scale, grow, and boost profits. This holds especially true for small businesses in very competitive industries. If it is time to move your business forward in a powerful way, think outside the box and employ technology for innovative expansion.

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