Small business owners have all kinds of tools available to help them grow. But, only a few of these tools will encourage SMB growth in any real way.
While there are plenty of QOL (quality-of-life) services out there, like inbox management software, these don’t really impact your business processes in a major way.
The best tools for SMBs to utilize will simultaneously offer QOL benefits, while also targeting specific core processes that impact a business’s ability to grow. Here are some to consider.
Workflow Automation
The ability to streamline workflow is invaluable to small business owners. As your business grows, it becomes increasingly harder to meet deadlines and send out timely emails. You end up spending a lot of time doing the same repetitive tasks, day in and day out.
With an automated workflow platform, of which there are several notable options to choose from, it’s possible to put some of your most boring, repetitive tasks on autopilot. This frees up your time to focus on more important areas, and enables your team to be more productive.
Digital Phone Systems (VoIP)
While the idea of customer service reps being tethered to their headsets may seem rather antiquated, your small business can still benefit from VoIP systems.
VoIP phone systems for small business can enable phone calls to be made at a fraction of the cost of traditional cellular services and landlines. In addition to cutting costs, VoIP services can give your business the ability to place calls from mobile devices.
You also don’t need all of your phone reps in a single office. Cloud-based VoIP service providers allow for versatile setups in regards to remote workers, and enable you to streamline productivity to a huge degree.
Chatbots
When you want 24/7 customer support without having to hire a huge customer support team, chatbots can help. While chatbots are relatively easy to set up nowadays – anyone can use simple, automated response chatbots on a social media business page – they’re also becoming increasingly complex at a fast pace.
While many small business chatbots can be handled by simple keywords in the form of search terms, you can get a much better idea of a customer’s issue by reading the conversation. This allows you to respond to every issue or query the customer has with far more clarity.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
CRM systems are essentially a way to keep track of all of your clients and customers. When you’ve already managed to get customers to make initial contact with your business, it’s time to see if they are satisfied with the experience.
CRM systems also allow you to track your customer’s interests and sentiments to determine if they’re likely to buy again. As a result, you can better cater to their needs, while increasing your revenue.
The advantage of having a CRM system, in comparison to a point-of-sale (POS) system, is that it gives your business a sense of professionalism.
While it’s true that most small business owners are probably good at keeping track of receipts, they can often be a big hassle when it comes to coordinating payment for a customer. By switching to a more sophisticated CRM system, you can streamline this aspect of business, and improve your customer service.
Lead Management Software
While CRMs are an invaluable tool for servicing your existing customer base, lead management software is often overlooked. However, it’s absolutely crucial for success.
When you manage client leads, you have the opportunity to determine if they’re a fit for your business. This enables you to optimize your budget, set up client meetings and follow-ups, and ultimately generate more sales. Lead management software can also help you tailor your sales pitch to your ideal client, and strengthen your relationship with them in the process.
Your inbound marketing strategy must be all-encompassing, and lead management software can be a key component in this process.