In the competitive, fast paced and technologically rich 2020s, every small business is now a tech company. Whether they know it or not. Whatever your products or services, however large or small your operation and whomever your target audience may be, it’s more than likely that your business relies on software for its daily operations- even if it’s just an office suite or a piece of POS software. Whatever your business, your software is inextricably linked to your productivity and thus your profitability. That means that you shouldn’t take decisions about purchasing software lightly.
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Here are some software buying mistakes that small businesses should avoid if they want to make the most of every day, enhance their margins and maintain a leading edge over their competitors…
Adopting a “Price First” perspective
Of course you have a cash flow to maintain and every purchasing decision needs to be carefully measured against your business’ income and expenditure. However, software is not an area in which it pays to be a penny pincher. By choosing applications (or versions of applications) on the basis of cost you could miss out on functionalities that could facilitate smoother operations and save you more money in the long run.
If you’re worried about upfront cost, most Software as a Service (SaaS) companies offer free trials or adopt “Freemium” pricing models.
Choosing one-size-fits-all solutions rather than niche products
There are many software tools (CRMS are a good example) which fulfill so many functions that they can fit seamlessly into virtually any business operations. However, don’t make the mistake of assuming that one-size-fits all solutions are always the best fit for you. Generally, the more industry-specific platforms you can employ the better, as these are designed to meet the needs and realities of your specific industry. Check out, for instance, how GrowerIQ offers complete end-to-end tracking and visibility to the emerging cannabis industry. No industry is too niche to find bespoke solutions designed for its needs.
Buying on the basis of user reviews
SaaS companies understand the importance of leveraging social proof to drive sales. And reading numerous glowing reviews and 5 star ratings can be a hugely encouraging sign when choosing a product. Still, you should take a closer look before committing to a new product. Find out who has been leaving these reviews. Take a look at their business’ operational models. How well matched are they to yours? Just because a platform has been able to accommodate the needs of many happy customers doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s well equipped to meet yours.
Assuming that your business is too small to worry about security
Finally, cybercrime is one of the biggest threats facing small businesses today. Too many small business owners assume that their operation is so small that it’s beneath the attention of cyber criminals. And when they’re proven wrong it can be at great costs to their finances and reputations. So make sure that your platforms and applications have a wealth of security redundancies to help you to guard your business from phishing, malware and other threats.
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