Small business owners shoulder several tech-related tasks that eat up valuable time every day. Outsourcing some of these responsibilities will allow you to focus on more important aspects of your business, like generating leads or tending to the needs of your customers. However, you don’t need to outsource everything—some responsibilities are better handled in-house. Here are some tech projects to outsource and a few that you can take care of yourself.
Automate Whatever You Can
Many of your tech tasks can be automated so you can avoid spending your business dollars on in-house or remote help. The right tools can help you tackle those tedious, repetitive tasks that are tempting to hand off to someone else. You can automate all kinds of things, including posting on social media, tracking your website analytics, sending invoice reminders to clients, responding to common customer questions, and scheduling meetings.
With a good smartphone, you’ll be able to manage all of these tasks easily and efficiently. The new iPhone XS, for example, has a super-powerful processor for running demanding business-related automation apps. The phone also features secure facial authentication to protect your sensitive business information. If you’re an Android fan, the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ can provide the business support you need thanks to efficiency features like the S Pen which works as a remote and note-taking device.
Data Loss Protection and Compliance
A cyberattack and data loss event can cause your customers to lose trust in your brand, but it can also result in legal consequences and class action lawsuits. It might even spell the end of your business. According to CNBC, 60% of small businesses shut down within 6 months of a cyberattack. Consider outsourcing cybersecurity to trained professionals who can prevent disasters and resolve any issues as quickly as possible. For example, Nerds Support offers essential cybersecurity protection solutions including data compliance and email security.
If your business processes and stores credit card information, make sure you hire a cybersecurity expert who can help your business comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) rules. PCI compliance will ensure that you meet the established security standards for protecting credit card information by implementing required safeguards like anti-virus software, restricted access to data, and encryption.
Web Design and Development
Outsourcing the development of your website will give you complete control over the design and functionality of your business’s online storefront. While website builder tools allow you to create a website on your own, you will be very limited by the cookie-cutter result. On the other hand, experienced web designers and developers know how to create attractive, user-friendly sites that will drive traffic to your business and help you generate more leads. Rather than hiring an in-house team and spending your valuable time managing them, consider outsourcing your website tasks to a company with experience in your industry and a cohesive team that’s ready to work.
Cloud Hosting
Another great way to outsource your business tech is to take advantage of cloud hosting. With cloud hosting, your business data is stored stored across multiple servers in different data centers to increase security, protect against data loss, reduce website downtime, and handle traffic spikes. Business.com suggests that cloud hosting could eliminate the need to hire in-house IT staff, saving your business money while increasing the flexibility of your computing infrastructure. This will also allow you to access any business information you need from anywhere on any device. Managed cloud services like Box take all of the work out of maintaining this infrastructure.
It’s easy to outsource any of your small business tech tasks thanks to the vast availability of tech services and solutions out there. This can help you eliminate wasted time and reap the benefits of specialized help. Consider outsourcing anything that’s outside of your team’s expertise, so your in-house staff can focus on the specific projects that will help your business grow.
