5 Ways Technology Enhances the Small Business Experience

Time is money, and it’s no secret that keeping up with the rapidly changing tech landscape can be overwhelming and time-consuming. But once you figure out how to use technology in your business and which tools work best, you can save a ton of time and improve your customer experience.

 Here are 5 ways technology has improved businesses, and how it can help yours!

1. Engage more of your customers

Technology gives you an opportunity to communicate with your customers 24/7 and stay top-of-mind. You can reach them through social media, digital ads, emails, and web to name a few. With all the many channels and opportunities to engage customers, it’s important not to bombard them with too many unnecessary or irrelevant communications, and, when possible, personalize the content. 

Here are some effective ways to engage your customers:

• Run social media contests for people who interact with you online
• Ask for their feedback on your products or service (surveys for a chance to win)
• Send them promotions or offers based on their past purchases
• Launch a customer loyalty program that encourages members to accumulate and redeem points.

2. Learn more about your customers

In order to properly engage your customers, you need to first understand them. Customer relationship management technology allows you to manage the interactions you have with your customers and gain insights from them. CRM tools are available in many forms, so it’s important you find the right one for your business. 

Here are a few tools that you can use to capture customer data to drive more visits and sales: 

• Software Platforms
• Smart Payment Terminals 
• POS Systems 
• Customer Loyalty Programs

With the information you capture, you can learn more about how often customers visit, how much they spend, which deals and promotions motivate them to buy, and which products are popular among your most loyal customers.

3. Enhance customer service and increase retention 

Digital communication through email, social media, and review platforms (think Google My Business) can do a lot for the quality of your customer interactions. In recent years, email receipting provided by certain payment technologies like the Poynt Smart Terminal and Clover Flex have provided another avenue for gathering and responding to customer feedback. 

Here are some ways you can use these channels to improve your customer experience: 

• Make it easier for customers to find you
• Listen to what people are saying about your business
• Quickly respond to questions or comments 
• Get instantly notified of complaints so you can resolve them before they escalate
• Personalize communications with customer’s names and preferred languages

4. Improve your productivity and free up your time

There are plenty of tools designed to help you streamline your business. Automating processes can help you to easily track important information and multitask without lifting a finger.

Here are some ways you can save time and improve productivity:

• Schedule your social media using a social media planner program, like Hootsuite
• Use project management software, like Asana, to keep everyone on track
• Use scheduling software to schedule employee shifts and accurately track their timesheets
• Use collaborative communication tools to enable your team to work remotely
• Use inventory management software to track items or manage orders
• Use accounting software, like Quickbooks, to track expenses and send invoices
• Use a gift card or customer loyalty program with a self-serve customer portal

5. Boost transaction rates and streamline your checkout

Customers are increasingly going cashless and being able to quickly accept various methods of payment like credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets (Apple Pay and Google Pay) leave a positive impression on your customers. Wireless credit and debit machines are increasingly used for in-aisle checkouts to reduce wait times and digital wallets also been shown to speed up transaction time by 50% compared to EMV chip technology.

Online payment gateways can also help you to grow your business by allowing you to sell on your website. Expanding your shop to include an e-commerce site allows you to reach potential customers from all over the world.

You’ll also be able to better serve your favourite local customers online. As consumers increasingly seek the convenience of secure online shopping, an e-commerce platform that allows your customers to shop when they want and where they want will help grow your sales.

Looking for new ways to grow your business? We can help with seamless payment, loyalty, and gift card solutions.


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