You put your heart, soul, and finances into starting your small business. Of course, the work doesn’t stop once you’ve launched. In fact, it usually becomes a bit more burdensome (this is the part where we tell you to put on your seatbelt).

But guess what? Securing growth and success for your company isn’t rocket science. It just requires an intelligent strategy, hard work, and strong foresight.

If you’re looking to increase your small business’s efficiency, see the tips below!

 

Choose the Right Accounting and Tax Software

Running a business is a lot more than talking to customers and dealing with the books. To the latter, getting your financials in order is particularly important when you’re just starting out (you don’t want to build a house of cards).

The easiest way to ensure success all around—from employee payroll to accounts receivable and tax filing—is choosing the right digital tools.

Accounting software will help you process all accounts faster, which saves money and time by reducing manual input and the risk of human error. And when your tax return is due, you’ll have all your financial details in one place for headache-free processing with complementary tax software.

 

And while you’re researching tech tools that make running your business more efficient, you can’t forget about business management software. And don’t worry if your company provides a niche service, there are solutions designed for virtually any business—from dental practice to tax practice management software. Business management software bundles everything you need to be as productive as possible, including:

• Project workflows
• Email notifications
• Client notes
• Time tracking
• Billing
• Tax return preparation

 

Automate Marketing

Reaching your customer base is an ongoing challenge for small businesses.

Quality marketing requires a good deal of hands-on involvement. To create brand awareness on social media, small businesses often turn to automation. What does that mean? Basically, they automate their marketing efforts through software that allows them to track data, adjust campaigns, and target niche demographics.

Once you decide on the best platform(s) and your overall strategy, automating social media content can be one of the most convenient and cost-effective marketing tools for your small business.

Many businesses opt to use one, two, or even all of these popular social media platforms:

• Twitter – Tweets, or 280-character messages, are the bread and butter of this platform. Use your profile to update customers on the latest company news and events or offer customer assistance.

• Facebook – Create a company page to market events and services and interact with potential customers.
• Instagram – This image-based platform is particularly useful for capturing customers’ attention with pictures and videos. Advertise discounts and encourage customer involvement with hashtag campaigns.
• YouTube – Your business could benefit from videos that describe your products, services, and expertise.
• LinkedIn – This social networking platform is aimed at professionals. Use it to gain authority in your field and recruit compatible team members.

 

Manage Your Time Wisely

Time management is a challenge for all business owners. There never seem to be enough hours in a day or week. Using digital tools to track accounts and stay on top of marketing is a very efficient way to save time and money.

 

For instance:

• Use dedicated time tracking and project management software – These platforms will highlight exactly where your staff’s hours go. Curious why your team is lagging on deadlines? by using the best time clock apps you might be able to identify workflow bottlenecks.
• Try a time management technique – Do you want to motivate your team to work more efficiently? Adopt a time-blocking approach such as the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks up the work day in 25-minute blocks.
• Keep meetings short and concise – Team meetings are important for communication and collaboration. But keep them brief to avoid taking away critical productivity hours. And use an agenda to avoid veering off course.

 

Up Your Customer Service Game

Serving up excellent customer service is priceless. At its core, it’s a sure-fire way to gain and keep loyal customers.

Training is essential for delivering top-notch service. But skilled employees are only as good as the tools they have at their disposal.

But what do those tools look like? When it comes to customer service, think:

• Live chat functionality
• Chatbots to assist during off hours
• Support ticketing system
• Online FAQ and knowledge base

Keep the lines of communication active with a customer service platform that allows your team to deliver prompt and attentive assistance.

 

Start Making Your Business More Efficient

A small business lives and dies by its ability to operate. As you scale (or even if you’re just sustaining), you need to constantly optimize your processes to improve efficiency. By creating efficiencies, you improve your workflow, avoid employee burnout, and ultimately create a better product.

Sometimes, you’d be surprised at how a simple fix or technique can make your machine more efficient. Try new things. Experiment. And over time, every cog is going to operate without a single hitch.