In the business world, big businesses are usually the first to adopt new tech trends, and small and medium businesses follow. However, it is important to note that in the ever-evolving world of small business, keeping up with the latest technology trends is crucial for success. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, technology continues to shape and redefine the way businesses operate.
According to a forecast by Gartner, a renowned tech expert, worldwide spending on IT is expected to grow by 5.5% in 2023, while the spending for IT in Australia is expected to grow to 5.8% in 2023.
There is a reason why big businesses spearhead various technology trends. This is because they understand the endless benefits of keeping up with the latest tech trends in terms of productivity and business enhancement. Small businesses can benefit from these by keeping their eyes on the latest tech trends that will cause their business to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
By harnessing the power of these emerging technologies, small business entrepreneurs can unlock new opportunities, boost productivity, enhance their remote IT support, invest in business IT solutions, and stay ahead of the competition. In this article, we unveil seven captivating technology trends that will revolutionise the small business landscape.
7 Tech Trends Small Businesses Should Keep an Eye On.
Here are some small business technology trends that small businesses need to monitor in forthcoming months:
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence is a tech trend that is here to stay. This tech trend is constantly evolving and is transforming the business landscape by automating processes, analysing vast amounts of data, and enabling predictive capabilities.
Small businesses can keep an eye on various AI technologies to enhance the productivity of their businesses. An example is AI-powered chatbots. This AI-powered technology improves customer service and experience, automates routine tasks, and provides personalised recommendations.
Investing in a tech trend like AI in 2023 is one of the most effective ways to enhance your business, stand out, and reach higher goals.
2. Social Media and Influencer Marketing
As businesses are slowly but surely discovering that being innovative on social media is bringing more reach and engagement. Within the last year, 63% of organisations have increased their digital marketing budgets.
Therefore, with the current intensive focus on social media in all industries and sectors, small businesses should pursue all available ways to engage potential clients and increase engagement with this innovative yet conversational tech trend.
Since a good number of small businesses worldwide are on social media, competition is fierce. However, to escape this, businesses can leverage influencer marketing. Rather than employing cost-per-click methods or using the business’s social media profiles to engage customers, the marketing team can hire influencers with similar goals to your brand or business to promote for you.
3. Automation Applications
Small business employees have one characteristic; they work for hours on end doing various tasks and operations that are essential to the growth of the business. Some of these tasks are data entry, customer support, appointment scheduling, and many others.
With recent tech innovations, small businesses should invest in the latest automation applications. The better and smarter the innovation, the less supervision it would take, allowing employees to focus on reducing the workload of manually carrying out most of these tasks. This allows them to focus on other tasks that will enhance productivity.
4. Cloud Computing
Many small businesses in Australia and other countries still indulge in the old ways of storing, accessing, and managing data. While there is nothing relatively wrong with this method, accessing, managing, and storing files can be time-consuming. Also, the probability of files or data getting lost or stolen is high. This is why small businesses are advised to keep their eyes on this tech trend that is not only beneficial and seamless – cloud computing.
Cloud Computing has revolutionised how businesses store, access, and manage data. Small businesses can benefit from cloud-based solutions, such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, which offer scalability, cost-effectiveness, and remote accessibility. Cloud-based tools enable seamless collaboration among team members, enhance data security, and facilitate efficient backup and disaster recovery processes. Embracing cloud computing allows small businesses to leverage enterprise-level capabilities without significant upfront investments.
5. A Greater Focus on IT and Cybersecurity Measures
Due to the transition from the physical working process to remote and BYOD options, as well as the increasing reliance on technology, cybercrime has increased in scope and number, making cybersecurity a critical concern.
In Australia and other countries, small businesses are vulnerable to cyber threats, thereby increasing the need for small businesses to get IT teams and professionals to improve their company’s cybersecurity and team communication.
As a result, small businesses need to invest in robust cybersecurity measures. Implementing basic latest cybersecurity trends, such as multi-factor authentication, data encryption, regular software updates, and employee cybersecurity training, can safeguard customer trust, protect sensitive information, and mitigate the risk of data breaches.
6. Increase in the Adoption of 5G
Today, there has been a recent increase in the adoption of the fifth generation (5G) of cellular connection. The 5G is one that small businesses should keep their eyes on as the little-proclaimed but largely-effective benefits of 5G can boost data connection, transmission speeds, and seamless online presence.
It is also going to boost the Internet of Things (IoT) industry, as 5G networks prove to be better at supporting devices of this nature (IoT) than its predecessors (4G and others).
7. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technologies are technology trends that are transforming the way businesses, both large and small, engage with customers and enhance their brand experiences. Small businesses can utilise AR and VR to create immersive and interactive online and offline experiences.
Integrating AR and VR into marketing campaigns and customer interactions can captivate audiences, increase brand engagement, and differentiate small businesses from their competitors.
Incorporate the Best Technology Trends in Your Business with Connected Platforms
Are you looking to incorporate the latest technology trends in your Australian business? Connected Platforms can help you in this regard. We offer numerous tech trends ranging from cybersecurity measures to cloud computing services.
Give us a call to get started with this process.
