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Tech trends come and go, but there are some that stick and become the norm. Here are just five tech trends that have risen in the last decade that every business should embrace if they want to stay relevant in the future.
Cloud computing
Many business owners are still yet to embrace the cloud, largely because they don’t understand what it is. In basic terms, it involves storing data on a remote server instead of on your computer or on a local server. Storing information remotely allows you to access it from any device. Multiple people may also be able to access it at the same time. For many businesses, it’s mainly a form of backup – if somebody hacks into your work computer and deletes your files or your office burns down, you’ll still be able to access your files on the cloud from another computer. However, it can also be a means of sharing information more easily as well as allowing you to work from any location.
Analytics
Analytics is a way of processing large amounts of data made possible by computers. It can be used to analyse your company finances, monitor web traffic and calculate risk, often displaying these figures as graphs. Whilst analysing each piece of data would have been far too time-consuming before the age of computers, it can now be done instantaneously with the right software and online tools. Cognitive analytics can even be used to make better business decisions such as deciding where to trim costs or where to focus marketing. In fact, many companies are automating tasks based off analytics such as using analytics to keep track of stock and automatically order new stock when items are running low. This can result in less admin.
Apps
There’s more to apps than mobile games. Many pieces of software found on PCs are now available as apps – by downloading these apps you can perform work on your smartphone that you’d usually do on a PC. This can be great for working on the go. It’s also possible to build your own apps – this could include a training app for employees or a marketing app for customers such as a digital loyalty card or a catalogue app.
Social media
Social media has taken the world by storm and it’s also had a significant effect on businesses. In fact, it’s becoming a major marketing tool for companies, allowing existing customers to stay updated on news and promotions whilst also drawing in new customers through ads and promoted posts. If you haven’t got Facebook and Twitter pages for your business, it could be well worth creating pages – it costs nothing to create a page.
SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a method of digital marketing that every business should invest in. It’s a strategy that involves using keywords, hyperlinks and ads to boost a company’s search engine rankings. Most people discover new companies nowadays via search engines like Google and Bing and appearing on the first pages is vital if you want to generate business. You can learn to do your own SEO, however most people tend to just hire an SEO company.
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