Save Money: Ways to Make Your Business More Efficient

Every business owner knows that installing LED lights and becoming proficient in Excel and Quickbooks, can save them considerable capital, but the real key to cutting operational and marketing costs is innovation. Innovation leads to technological progress, allowing every facet of your business to run smoothly in a cost-effective manner. Without the cost savings brought about by innovation, many small businesses would be forced to shut down shop for good. Here are some key ways technological innovation can help your small business thrive in the competitive business world of the 21st century.

Mobile Payment Systems for Affordable Payment Processing

The evolution of mobile payment systems has led to their widespread use by many small businesses. From lawn care companies, to restaurants, small businesses everywhere are replacing their old cash registers with iPads and smartphones. Thanks to streamlined payment tools, such as Intuit’s GoPayment, businesses can accept payments for products and services from anywhere in a cost-effective manner. This means your company can even become more mobile and you can gain clients and customers as you travel and spread your company out futher.

DSLR Cameras and Editing Software for Promotional Marketing

Gone are the days of paying thousands of dollars to a marketing and video production company to produce high-quality videos that promote your products and services. Thanks to modern DSLR cameras and open source video editing software, you can easily craft professional-looking marketing content in-house, saving your business a considerable amount of money. Complete with spectacular lenses and sensors, DSLR cameras allow you to create HD quality videos that can easily be uploaded to YouTube for instant business promotion. Furthermore, with the availability of inexpensive or free open source editing software, such as OpenShot, your videos can have titles, effects, professional transitions, and much more.

Say Goodbye to Personal Computers and Hello to Tablets

Vivint in Boynton Beach FL has been installing top of the line Miami home automation systems that use tablets and smartphones that serve as central command stations for customers for years now. In addition to being widely accepted for personal use, tablets are providing businesses with an inexpensive way to go mobile. Thanks to a myriad of software titles, tablets can now feature powerful productivity, payment, and invoicing tools, providing small businesses with the opportunity to replace costly and outdated PCs in favor of a complete mobile office experience. Before long, tablets will completely replace laptops as the hardware of choice for businesses on the go.

Cloud-Based Groupware for Server Savings

If your needs are minimal, and you don’t want to pony up for a costly exchange server, cloud-based groupware may be just the answer you’ve been looking for. Small businesses may be able to function with Drive and Gmail, but medium-sized businesses can benefit greatly from enterprise level Google Apps, such as Zoho. Zoho’s platform provides business owners with several tools that can be purchased a la cart on an as needed basis, which offers businesses expansion capabilities without breaking the bank.

Blogging Platforms for Cost-Effective Authority and Interaction

Everyone seems to be using blogging platforms to become authority figures in various fields, but this doesn’t mean that they should be overlooked. A blogging platform can allow you to cheaply and easily connect with current and prospective customers in a variety of ways. With free platforms, such as WordPress, at your disposal, you can have access to affordable add-ons that will allow you to create a full-blown content-driven business site. Don’t underestimate the power of blogging platforms and all that they can do for your business.

Technological innovation has spurred the growth of small businesses around the world, allowing them to compete in the marketplace while cutting costs at the same time. By utilizing these innovations, your business will be positioned for success and expansion. So, if you’re looking to save money and grow your business beyond your wildest dreams, embrace innovation and its many powerful benefits.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and recent graduate of the University of New Mexico. She is an avid hiker, runner, and biker and loves to blog about her experiences in fitness, travel, and business. Contact her via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”