The cloud has been a game changer for small business success. Unfortunately, many small business owners continue to underutilize cloud-based services.
Affordable, streamlined, and secure, cloud-based services give small business owners the chance to compete with more established companies. What’s more, they provide a forward-thinking approach to business management.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at seven cloud-based services currently available to small businesses across the globe:
Storage
If there’s one thing every business should be using the cloud for, it’s data storage. With countless data centers scattered across the globe, the ability to save and access data kept off site is too cost-effective to skip. Amazon, Apple, Dell, Google, and Microsoft all offer affordable data storage solutions, giving small business owners the chance to find the perfect storage solution for their specific needs.Â
Content Management
Today’s small businesses rely on content management to stay organized and synchronized behind the scenes. Rather than invest heavily in a traditional CMS only to find out the features you need will cost extra, opt for cloud content management solutions. The offsite nature of the software means companies have more options for less money while giving staff a way to stay on the same page despite separate work environments.
PBX
If your small business is like most, the need for phone service is present but not pressing. The perfect solution is a cloud-based private branch exchange system. It provides a cost-effective option for companies that want the full spread of telecommunications capability without the financial burden of a dedicated system.
Marketing
While traditional marketing agencies still have an important role in helping small businesses prosper, most day-to-day marketing efforts can be automated through cloud-based services. Whether it’s social media posts, email outreach, or certain types of ad campaigns, cloud-based marketing software can do most of the work while you and your staff focus on more pressing tasks.
Security
There are several reasons why cloud-based cybersecurity is superior to traditional service options. Improved flexibility, easier scalability, increased coverage, greater visibility, and stronger response are all valid reasons to make the switch. Furthermore, liability is more clear-cut, meaning that valuable time isn’t spent trying to figure out who did what to cause the problem in the event of a data breach.
Software Testing
The last thing any company wants is to bring an unsatisfactory product to market. However, given the inefficiency of dedicated in-house testing, many small businesses have no choice but to outsource. Luckily, cloud-based software testing services are there to provide an affordable solution. Furthermore, many have a reputation that doubles as an industry stamp of approval. In other words, if they clear a product as meeting the standard for sale, your business can take that testimony to the bank.
Customer Service
Providing around-the-clock customer service is another one of those things that every small business wants to offer, but few have the budget to justify the expense. That is unless they go with cloud-based customer service options. Similar to software testing, cloud customer service alleviates the financial burden of in-house providers. For those concerned about the potential for impersonal responses and inadequate solutions, cloud-based solutions can operate alongside dedicated sources, with the former forwarding exceptional cases to the latter.
We’ve been hearing about the wonders of the cloud for over a decade. Rather than continue letting it go in one ear and out the other, now’s the time to make the most cloud-based services for small businesses. In today’s world of lightning-quick adaptation and ongoing competition, every advantage matters. Do yourself and your business a favor and take advantage of cloud services, starting today.
