Running a business during the COVID-19 pandemic is not easy, especially for small and medium enterprises that are at risk of closing down as the result of the decline in economic activity. And if you happen to own a small business during a time of health crisis, investing in digital change is important so you can facilitate remote work of your employees and maintain operational continuity.
Yes, it’s true that your business needs to improve internal productivity to survive. But enhanced employee efficiency can only be achieved if you integrate technology solutions that will allow your business to succeed amidst the uncertainty.
So we invite you to read further as we’ll discuss the 4 important IT solutions for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic in today’s article.
AI Technology
While artificial intelligence may be a common theme in futuristic sci-fi movies, it’s already being utilized by various companies nowadays. In fact, you may be using it already but you’re not aware about it. Apps like ride-sharing apps, streaming services, and navigation apps are examples of AI technology because they get smarter the more you use them.
So it would make sense to integrate a technology that can track customer behavior as well as provide valuable insights on trends that can help your business to thrive. Aside from that, AI bots really make a huge difference in how business transactions are performed over the internet. That is why you have to incorporate this kind of technology today as bots will most likely provide a better customer shopping experience in the near future.
Mobile Sites
Without a doubt, most online traffic is being made through smartphones and other mobile devices. So this means most of online transactions are being completed on mobile devices rather than a laptop or desktop computer.
With that being said, your small business must also invest in technologies like a smartphone app with features like easy product purchase, video chat, and improved customer service. Also, you also have to optimize your business website to make it “mobile-friendly” or more accessible to people who are visiting your site using their mobile phones.
Mobile Payment Methods
Aside from considering an app and optimizing your website, having a payment terminal that allows your customers to pay using their smartphones or smartwatch, And the good thing is, this technology is becoming more common. Hence, it is easier to implement as it is not that pricey anymore.
Better Inventory Management
Finally, installing a dedicated system that can track incoming and outgoing products is also necessary. And the reason for that is this software can provide greater insights on the most popular products you have and those products that need to be revised so they can be marketed better.
Basically, having a system that analyzes these things will help to know if your product is selling well or not. Thus, giving you a better idea of which areas you need to improve.
Moreover, the analytic software you need must also include features like the most popular payment options you have, which products are underperforming, and the period when transactions will reach their peak.