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It’s a fast-paced world with a lot of avenues, problems, and opportunities. Thus, technology has become a small business owner’s best friend as it helps carry out day-to-day tasks very easily and also get the word out about different businesses in a way that previously would have cost a lot to do. Whether you are using the likes of accounting software or technology that will be able to help you develop and execute your business plan, it will be there for you every step of the way when it comes to putting your business together.
Essential tools for starting up a business
So, with the above in mind, here’s a list of essential tools you need in order to ensure you are prepared for starting your business.
1. A Laptop or Computer
Choosing between a laptop and a computer can be a tricky one; however, given the recent surge in the number of people who work remotely, plus the overall convenience, laptops are generally much more popular. You will need to research the options available to you as your choices will vary depending on what you want your laptop to do. For instance, if it will only be used for sending and receiving emails, you can go for a cheaper option. If you are coding, then you will need something more advanced. If you want to use it for your professional and personal life, for instance, if you would like to game on it, you will need to read more on this post about the best gaming laptops out there that will also be good to work from.
2. A highly functional website
If you are a business hoping to thrive in today’s economy, then a strong online presence is absolutely essential. The majority of consumers will now shop online, and even those that don’t tend to take to the internet as a means to do research on products that they are considering buying. As such, you will need to have a high-functioning, easy-to-use, and quick website on which you can display your products, and services and make it clear why you are better than your competition.
3. Shopping Cart Software
Having a website is only half of the battle though, as if you are hoping to sell products from it then you will need to ensure it comes equipped with shopping cart software. These services will need to be able to securely accept payments and take customers through a simple-to-use cart service, through which they can securely insert their details and make a sale.
4. Anti-Virus Software
As our reliance on technology increases, so too do people’s attempts to corrupt websites and steal information become more of an issue. As such, for the safety of yourself and your customers, you will need to ensure that you have some anti-virus software in place that will guard your network against viruses, spyware, Trojans, and all types of malware. If you do not have this kind of protection in place then you could soon find yourself dealing with an infected computer. It will take time to fix this, which is time that could have been better spent in getting your new business off the ground.
5. CRM tool
Customer relationship management or CRM software is integral to your business operations. It helps you streamline communication between your staff and clients. The software enables you to store and maintain your leads and customer database which you can backtrack quickly across devices. CRM software empowers you to create and send automated personalized messages to your clients. Nothing appeases a customer more than good service and transparency, and with a CRM tool, you offer both – helping your potential customers make informed decision making.
