How to use IT to Save Your Business Money

Published on: 25 July 2018 Last Updated on: 16 September 2019

In a world that’s focused on making your business fly, ‘return on investment’ (ROI) is a term that’s usually talked about when you’re planning SEO, PPC or social marketing strategies.

In fact, IT can offer a huge ROI for your business – simply by streamlining processes that could otherwise see your team or contractors spending unnecessary time struggling with sub-par systems and devices.

We’ll walk you through 6 of the best ways to save money, with nothing but IT as your tool…

How to use IT to Save Your Business Money:

Explore open-source software :

It’s easy to forget that Microsoft, Google, Adobe and the other huge software and service providers aren’t the only companies out there who create worthwhile resources.

If you’re used to working for a company, you might take it for granted that the typical applications you’ll use (think; word processing, spreadsheets, customer relationship management, accounting – and much more) are just there for you within a few clicks – but actually, those pieces of software cost a significant amount of money.

The truth is, the household names are the ones we know about because they’ve got the budget to market their products far and wide – but in fact, there’s a host of great open-source applications out there that are completely free to use – you’ve just got to know where to look.

Open-source is more than just a money-saving tip though, in fact, there’s a world of developers who believe open-source is the only way you can truly reflect user’s needs in the long term – and many of those developers commit themselves to maintain and adjusting the free software to suit businesses just like yours.

This TechRadar list offers some great open-source applications that’ll definitely help your business save money when compared to full price alternatives.

Let employees work on their own devices :

‘Bring your own device’ (BYOD) such a simple idea – yet so many businesses resist it.

When you let your employees use their own devices to do company business, you’re saving huge amounts of money – and actually increasing productivity at the same time.

Countless studies have shown that employees are more comfortable and more productive when they use their own devices for work tasks – and the maths really adds up: If using a device you’re familiar with only saves 10 minutes each day – that adds up to an incredible 45 hours over the course of a full working year – essentially offering you a free week’s worth of work if you’re happy for employees to use their own machines.

Of course, there are security considerations to be made – and BYOD is likely to be impractical if you’re handling a lot of sensitive client information, but if you’d like to take away a huge chunk of capital expenditure from your budget, these could be problems you’d be happy to work around.

Outsource support :

When it comes to money-saving, good tech systems can give and take in similar measures – but one of the largest costs to consider when you’re installing IT relates to the people who are going to support it.

If you’re a small company, even if you only have a very small number of employees, you’re probably going to need someone to support your IT systems – and if you don’t have that person in place, you run the very real risk of not being able to trade if your IT network goes down.

So, what does the maths look like? Well, you’ve got a $40,000 basic wage for someone who comes with the skills set needed to keep a network up and running by themselves – then you’ve got to factor holiday cover, sickness, maternity/paternity leave, training and what happens if that person decides they’d like to work somewhere else.

All in all, carrying IT staff can be problematic – and extremely expensive – which is why managed network providers (MSPs) are becoming more and more popular with small to medium-sized businesses.

With an MSP, you’ve got the potential of 24/7 access, 365 days a year – plus no need to worry about keeping an individual up to speed with the latest accreditations and training programs. You simply pick up the phone and access the support – which, most of the time, can be applied to your systems remotely.

If you’d like your tech to save you thousands – you could do a lot worse than finding a good MSP and treating them like they’re one of your valued team.

Buy resources ‘as a service’ :

If you’re bringing your IT support onboard as an outsourced service – why not do the same with your applications, platforms, and infrastructure?

In the last 10 years, larger tech companies have realized that there’s an increasing number of small businesses becoming established year on year – and those companies simply do not have the money that’s needed to buy expensive software licenses, development platforms and costly networking infrastructure straight out of the gate.

The solution? Offering all of the above on a subscription basis – pay for only what you use, whenever you need it? A result is an increasing number of people opting to move to solutions like Microsoft Office 365 and Google’s G-Suite – both examples of ‘Software as a Service’ (Saas). That said, it’s not just cloud-accessed software that’s available in this manner, Microsoft now provides email exchange servers on a similar subscription basis too – with the robust security you’d expect from one of the biggest tech companies on Earth.

All these things are made possible by the cloud – the concept of storage and services that are hosted centrally, with your internet connection bridging the gap between your business and the resource. Of course, you’re going to need a connection that is stable and fast enough to allow uninterrupted access – but that’s more than realistic for most internet service providers.

Interestingly – the monetary benefits of SaaS are actually likely to be two-fold, as there’s an increasing body of evidence that suggests people actually work more effectively together when they’re collaborating online, even when compared to sitting next to one another in an office space. If you want to increase productivity and reduce costs with the help of IT tech, you could do a lot worse than to explore which of your required resources could be procured ‘as a Service’.

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Why Should You Hire a B2B Digital Marketing Consultant?

With the growing trend in the domain of digital marketing, if you want to stay ahead in the competition, it is suggested to hire a b2b digital marketing consultant. Hiring a consultant is often the best thing for the business if you are looking to have the best outcomes. With the growth of digital marketing, it has become important to not miss out on the train and catch the growing market. It has become a necessity since your competitors are already utilizing the best features of digital marketing to win the market share. As we have known how important digital marketing is to your firm, it is important to know the added benefits of having a consultant. Knowing what they bring to the table is very important for heading in the right direction. Perks of having a B2B digital marketing consultant on-board Every B2B business needs to understand that there is immense scope for growing online. A good and credible b2b marketing agency can make a world of difference when it comes to reaching new customers and increasing sales figures. They can help you optimize your verticals and plan campaigns in a manner that delivers the best results. The value that a consultant adds to the firm is unmatchable. Often regarded as the jack of all the trades, the consultants from the best universities bring forward huge experience. The added network effect along with the rich know-how about the latest technologies is why you must hire them. Instead of focussing only on immediate growth, the consultant's primary focus is to create a niche and a brand image for your firm. More than just providing the solution, they provide a long-lasting result to your firm, that enhances the image of your firm. To explore more into the benefits of a digital marketing consultant, let us understand them in detail. Growth Hacking: If you are looking forward to having a growth hacker in your team, there is no better alternative than a consultant. With the rich experience across all the domains, it is very necessary to have them on your team. They also bring into the varied culture and the unique factor of learnings from across the globe that enhances your team’s outlook. Short term goal achievement: You can easily achieve the short-term goals if you are well equipped with the best consultant. If you are not having the best consultant; you might miss out on the short-term vision and fail to capture a larger market share. Staying with the trend: Having a consultant is often the best way to implement the latest trends in the domain of digital marketing. If you are looking forward to capturing the market share, it is often recommended to be the first mover. Having the first-mover advantage will let you attract more consumers. It shall reduce the monopoly of your competitor thus keeping you ahead in the curve. Knowledge of every market: Do you know why consultants are one of the highest-paid professionals? It is because of their extensive knowledge about the outside world. Having outside knowledge about real-world happenings makes them unique in a lot of ways. They have been employed in different companies which have a wide range of cultural variation. It gives them the eye for scrutiny and a critical view of the organization. Having a consultant in your team can lead to hijacking the market and eventually increasing the customer share. If you are looking to improve your firm’s standing, you must not hesitate to hire a digital marketing consultant. Omnichannel B2B Marketing (...Yes, You Might Have to Do It All) In today’s fast-moving digital landscape, one marketing channel alone simply won’t be enough. You’ve got to be everywhere! I mean everywhere! This includes mail, social media, search engines, content platforms, and beyond. This is what we call omnichannel marketing. It’s not just a trend anymore; it is a means of survival in the digital world. It's a must to keep up with your competition. But here’s the thing: it’s a lot harder than it seems. Especially if you do not have a consultant by your side! Align Your Channels Omnichannel marketing is all about achieving a consistent and seamless experience for your customers. No matter what platform or channel they’re connecting with you on. Whether they come across your business on LinkedIn, read one of your blog posts, or receive an email from you, the communication should be similar. It needs to feel like a single conversation with your brand. Simple right? Not so much, and here is why! Keeping Everything Connected The trickier part is making sure everything connects. If your social media messaging doesn’t mesh with what’s in an email, or if the branding on your website doesn’t align with the display ads you create, it can throw potential leads off. In fact, it can also make it much more difficult to attract new business. Since your own brand looks half-hearted, how can you take care of another brand? That’s where having a strategy that spans all these platforms comes into play. It’s not just about being active in a lot of online channels – it’s about keeping them talking in the same voice. The Experience NEEDS to be Seamless When people click on your LinkedIn ad and then land on your website, if it’s not the same feeling that they got from the ad, you might lose them. They might just bounce to another competitor of yours! Yes, the competition is tough. Omnichannel makes each platform transition feel native. Meeting your customers where they are and walking alongside them through their journey is crucial. Only then will you be able to show that you are not just selling something, but rather creating an experience! Focusing on Key Platforms Now, you might be thinking! “Do I really need to be on every platform?” The answer is yes — and no. Depending on who your target audience is and what you are planning to achieve through your channels. For example, you don’t have to stretch yourself too thin. If you are a B2B service that deals with a logistic niche, you do not need an account on Pinterest. No client of yours is reaching out to you over Pinterest! Finding the target audience, and the right platform is what a B2B consultant is an expert at! So, hire one as soon as possible! Focus on the platforms that matter most to your target audience. For B2B businesses, this might mean prioritizing LinkedIn, email campaigns, and targeted content marketing. But don’t ignore emerging channels. Depending on your niche, there could be opportunities in areas you haven’t explored yet. Finally - Do Not Overwhelm Yourself! It can seem very overwhelming when you first start with omnichannel marketing. But you don’t have to do it all at once. First, figure out where your audience is and start there… and slowly expand as you become more comfortable. The key here is to stay consistent and not try to be everywhere. This is why hiring a B2B digital marketing consultant is crucial. They are the ones who make you understand that - “Omnichannel success is a marathon, not a sprint.” Read Also: Why Email Marketing is the BEST Digital Marketing Outreach in Singapore When Will Social Media Addiction Be Considered a Mental Health Condition?

Why You Need to Include Voice Search Optimization in Your Marketing Strategy

Voice search has come a long way since its error-prone beginnings. It used to be the star of funny home videos because of its propensity to deliver hilariously inaccurate search results. It’s a preferred way to get fast and accurate information about local businesses and products online. It’s also becoming an integral part of our daily lives, thanks to advancements in natural language processing and machine learning. Modern voice search systems have greatly improved their understanding of context and nuances in speech, making them much more reliable for tasks such as finding directions, setting reminders, and even managing smart home devices. As technology continues to evolve, voice search is expected to become even more sophisticated, offering personalized experiences and seamless interactions across various platforms. If you’re not making room for voice search optimization in your marketing strategy, it’s time for a change. Start now to optimize the content and data on your website and elsewhere so it will appear in verbal search results. Doing so will get more eyes on your business so you can grow your customer base and your profits. Why Voice Search Optimization Matters The goal of voice search optimization is to make it easier for customers to find your business when conducting spoken searches on their mobile devices. The rising popularity of voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri makes it more important than ever to focus on voice search optimization. The way people speak and the way people type tend to be very different. Therefore, you need to make sure your content uses phrases and keywords people are more likely to utter when using voice search assistants. Doing so can boost your chances of being found by relevant customers. Voice search optimization is important for all businesses. But it’s especially vital for brick-and-mortar industries that rely primarily on local customers, such as legal services, retail, hospitality, and entertainment. Shoppers are more likely to use verbal search options when they’re looking for location-based results for these types of services. How to Optimize Your Content for Voice Searches To lead ready-to-buy shoppers right to your door, make it easier for them to find your business when conducting verbal searches. Whether you’re a plumber developing your website or a lawyer creating a law firm digital marketing plan, voice search optimization should be a major focus. Here are some tried-and-true techniques for optimizing your content for voice search: Prioritize Local SEO It’s estimated that around 46% of Google searches include localized terms. If you’re not properly optimized for localized searches, your business is unlikely to show up in relevant search results. That means potential customers are more likely to visit competitors who are better at prioritizing local SEO terms in their content. You can use a variety of techniques to improve your local voice search results. Start by creating a Google Business Profile and regularly updating it to ensure it’s always accurate. Next, add location-specific pages to your website. Make sure these pages include location keywords such as your state, city, town, and surrounding cities. You should also maintain an active presence on local social media pages so nearby residents become familiar with your brand. Aim at The Long-Tail Keywords People are likelier to use highly specific phrases when conducting verbal digital searches. Therefore, you should target long-tail keywords when optimizing your content. Long-tail keywords comprise phrases people often use when searching for goods or services online. For example, “divorce lawyer in San Diego, California” is one example of a specific, localized, long-term keyword. These types of keywords tend to be highly specific and have less competition and search volumes than any short-tail keywords. However, they also tend to have higher conversion rates because shoppers who use them are typically ready to buy. If you’re serious about targeting local voice searches, use a good saturation of long-tail keywords in the overall content. Optimize for Mobile Mobile optimization and voice search optimization are two peas in the same pod. They should both be given equal consideration and weight in any adept digital marketing plan. Consider the fact that over half of global internet traffic comes from mobile devices. If you’re not targeting a mobile audience, you’re almost certainly missing out on traffic and potential sales. To optimize for mobile, make sure your website loads correctly and rapidly on mobile devices. You should also prioritize responsive design, which adapts instantly to whatever device a visitor is using, whether it be a smartphone, desktop, or tablet. Responsive design reduces bounce rates and ensures visitors have a good experience on your site. Use the Right Language When people type out their online searches, they tend to be as concise as possible. For example, they might type “Las Vegas barber” when searching for a local place to get a haircut. But if that same person used their smartphone’s voice search feature instead, they would probably use more grammatically correct language. For example, they might say, “What’s the best barber in Las Vegas?” or “What are the best places in Las Vegas to get a haircut?” Often, people ask long questions when using voice search features or AI assistants. To excel at voice search optimization, anticipate the language and phrases people are most likely to use when searching for your business offerings. Then, create content that provides the best answer to their questions in a natural, conversational way. The Future Of Voice Search The voice search is more like having your own personal assistant right at your fingertips. Or maybe I should say, Voice range! This is bringing a huge change in the way we interact with the technology. Thus, the future looks much more exciting. More and more people are using their voice search to look for different information, services, and products. The answers are always ready for you, and they are fulfilling your requests. As voice technologies continue to improve, we can expect more innovation and intuitive ways to keep interacting with all of our devices. So, if you are planning to stay ahead of the curve, it’s time to reimagine how this voice search can benefit your business. From optimizing the website content to creating various voice-activated experiences, voice search is going to bring a lot more opportunities in the world of voice search marketing. Conclusion Voice search has evolved from a seldom-used tool to a major player in the marketing world. If you’re not currently optimizing your content for voice searches, it’s not too late to start. Use the tips above to make sure your website and content are positioned to help you capture more traffic from voice search queries.Read More... How To Foolproof Your Digital Marketing Strategy? 4 Ways to Use Mobile Marketing in a B2B Marketing Strategy 4 points to consider when creating a Great Content Marketing Strategy

Boost Online Visibility With THESE 3 Smart Strategies + Bonus!

“Senpai notice me!” Said all online brands to internet users. They want to grab their audiences’ attention, lure them into their sphere, and generate a new lead. This is easier said than done, though, especially with new brands entering the market daily and trying to capitalize on the same audiences. Introducing online visibility. The key to being a successful, prosperous brand is to have a strong online presence. The more users who see your brand online or on social media, the higher your chance of being visible. They will begin to recognize your brand, seeing you as a leader in the space. Boosting a brand’s online visibility isn’t a straight path. However, these three strategies will help no matter your starting point. 3 Strategies To Boost Online Visibility The following list suggests the top 3 strategies that will help you gain more traction, thus boosting your online visibility in no time: Content Marketing Creating high-quality content regularly is a prime way to increase your online presence. The more content you create, the more chances you can reach and engage with your intended audiences. Valuable content is also what will help set you apart from the competition. You’ll be viewed as a reliable, trustworthy leader in the space, one that benefits and serves your audience. In terms of your content marketing strategy, think about creating a diverse content portfolio. For instance, posting articles and hoping they find their way into the top search results isn’t the most thoughtful approach. Alternatively, create blog posts but also short and long-form videos, ebooks, podcasts, and infographics. You may be able to utilize the same type of content but repurpose it for different formats. For instance, a podcast you’re taping could be recorded and posted on your YouTube channel for additional distribution. If you’re feeling a bit lost on what kinds of content to create or what to prioritize, it may be advantageous to recruit some outside help. A performance marketing agency can collaborate with your content team to develop a strategic approach to your content marketing efforts. Since they are experts in the field, they’ll know which keywords you should strive to rank for and which ones aren’t worth your time or effort. They can also help with evergreen website copy and materials to drive home your marketing messages and brand vision. These updates and refreshes can lead to growth for your business and boost your online presence. Social Media Marketing Related to content marketing, social media marketing is becoming more important in the digital space. Consumers today are going to social first to find out about brands and learn about their offerings. They’re also reading comments, looking to see how others are engaging with the brand, and seeing if there are any potential red flags to be aware of. If they’re interested or have a specific question, they may reach out via direct message, hoping the brand will respond promptly. Social media marketing aims to build brand awareness and connect and engage with potential customers and followers. This will assist in driving website traffic and, inevitably, sales. Posting valuable content consistently is just the start of what social media marketing can look like today. It also includes engaging users through interactive chatbots and creating personalized, tailored experiences for followers. Brands know that if they show up regularly and consistently on user’s feeds, viewers are more likely to recall the brand and talk about it later. Another component of social media marketing is influencer collaborations. Influencers know what resonates with their audiences — after all, it’s become their job to engage and promote content. Businesses can leverage an influencer’s audience by partnering with them for a social campaign. If you have a new product launch approaching, working with an influencer can help spread the word. They can share a review of the product or brand and even entice users to follow your page to enter a giveaway or sweepstakes. Paid Advertising There’s only so much you can grow without going the route of paid advertising. This marketing strategy involves displaying banner advertising to targeted audiences. It can include everything from television commercials to podcast spots to internet-based and social ads. Paid advertising isn’t cheap, so you need a tailored strategy that works for your business needs. Choosing the right platform and setting clear goals will allow you to reach your intended audiences. Narrowing who sees your ads and when they see them will help ensure you’re reaching the right people. Some of the main targeted advertising selections include behavioral, demographic, interest, and purchase-based intent. You can get more granular depending on your audience persona and your business goals, whether that’s awareness or sales. With each paid advertising campaign, you’ll want to monitor performance closely. See specific engagement metrics, including impressions, click-through rate, and conversions. Additionally, keep an eye on the cost per click to justify your budget for the campaign. An exceptionally high cost per click, meaning the dollar you’re spending for someone to click on one of your ads, may not be sustainable. Optimize where you can, applying what you have learned from one campaign to future ones. Bonus: THIS will help retain your online visibility Consistency There are two aspects of retaining an audience on your site or business. Consistency and quality. Both are often ignored. Both consistency and quality only benefit you in the long run. If you aim for social media visibility, stay consistent there. Be regular with your posts and engage with your audience frequently. Social media marketing will only work if you consistently keep the audience engaged. The quality of your posts must be quite high. Think of maintaining the standard. If you closely follow your competition, you can observe their and the “industry-best’s” work. This will help you know if your content fares well. No one wants to return to your content if they keep seeing a lack of quality. This also applies to your consistent efforts; consistently use the above-mentioned strategies. Patience and hard work will bring you results soon! Conclusion Your brand’s visibility and recognition are crucial for long-term success. Content marketing, social media marketing, and paid advertising are three channels that will boost your brand’s presence. Tell us about your experience in the comments below! Continue Reading: 5 Proven Customer Acquisition Strategies For B2C Startups How Automation Tools Are Transforming Digital Marketing? Elevate Your Property Presence With Digital Real Estate Signage – A Modern Marketing Approach

How to use IT to Save Your Business Money

How to use IT to Save Your Business Money:

Explore open-source software :

Let employees work on their own devices :

Outsource support :

Buy resources ‘as a service’ :

Marketing – What’s Right for Your Business?

Tips on Selecting a Storage Solution for Your Growing Business

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Related

Why Should You Hire a B2B Digital Marketing Consultant?

Why You Need to Include Voice Search Optimization in Your Marketing Strategy

Boost Online Visibility With THESE 3 Smart Strategies + Bonus!

How to use IT to Save Your Business Money

How to use IT to Save Your Business Money:

Explore open-source software :

Let employees work on their own devices :

Outsource support :

Buy resources ‘as a service’ :

Share this Article

Marketing – What’s Right for Your Business?

Tips on Selecting a Storage Solution for Your Growing Business

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related