Want to know how to grow your business in 2021? It’s time to dig in, tech up, and move forward!
2020 marked a year with changes and challenges business owners never could have predicted. Businesses found themselves struggling with transitioning to remote work, declining revenue, and keeping employees and customers safe.
We predict that 2021 will feature many opportunities and challenges that will impact the face of the future in business.
Are you ready? Take a look at our list of ways to leverage technology to grow your business in 2021.
1. See and Be Seen
One of the major keys to a successful business plan is to strengthen your presence on the web. The world is connected, and you need to be connected along with it. In 2018, more people were online than not. By 2022 the number of connected people will grow even more: it’s estimated that 75% of the globe will be connected to the internet, and an astounding 90% of the world is predicted to be online by 2030.
What do all these numbers mean for your business? They could mean that you aren’t taking advantage of a wide open digital market.
Voice Search Optimization
Devices are getting smarter every day. More and more people are connecting to services such as Google Home and Alexa. It’s estimated that in the immediate future, nearly half of all internet searches will be done using voice search.
It’s a new trend, and one businesses should be aware of. It’s no longer enough that web content is SEO optimized, your content must also be optimized for voice searches.
Mobile Phone Friendly User Experience
From a world where cell phones were a luxury to a world where everyone has one in their pocket (or hand) at any given time, the mobile phone industry is booming. How important is the mobile phone for your digital presence?
In 2018, over half of all internet traffic took place on mobile devices. It’s predicted that in the very near future, mobile device transactions will account for nearly half of eCommerce retail sales.
If the user experience on your business’ mobile site isn’t smooth, connected and easily navigated, your potential customers will go to a site that is more user-friendly. This is UX, or user experience, and it matters. Half of all traffic to a mobile website will leave if the page isn’t fully loaded and interactive within three seconds.
If your online presence isn’t mobile user friendly, you may be missing out on a huge target audience.
Social Media Presence
Social media isn’t just Facebook anymore, and to take advantage of social media requires a lot more strategy than simply posting random content and memes. Your social media content should be designed to drive, engage, and convert. In order to grow your business in 2021, you will need to adopt a relevant social media presence.
Your ability to connect with “social media influencers” is an important part of your social media strategy. Connecting with smaller social media influencers (normal, everyday people) is a vital way to be recognized by people who trust their social media “friends.” You will get the most from your social media by building trusted communities across all platforms.
Today’s social media users have expanded far beyond Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These three platforms, while still important marketing tools, have been on the decline for the younger generation. Pinterest, various private messaging apps, and TikTok are more appealing sites for younger audiences.
That’s not to say the familiar classics are no longer a viable platform for your social media presence. In fact, Instagram stories are on the rise. An Instagram story is a little different than common feed-based posts. They are designed to be enjoyed in the moment, and are a far more authentic experience for users. Instagram stories can be a valuable tool in your social media strategy toolbox.
Use your social media platforms to boast about the things you are doing to address 2021 concerns and ways you are rising to meet the demands of a modern workplace.
2. Let The Data do the Talking
In 2020, Gartner predicted that digital businesses would increase profits by nearly 15% by embracing smart personalization engines.
Businesses are advised to use newer tech, like machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to keep up to speed on their customers’ changing needs. This allows businesses to give each customer a personalized experience.
Look at some common businesses that use this already: Spotify, Amazon, and Netflix are three companies that have taken full advantage of data capturing and processing tools. They have used these analytics to make a customized “Recommended for You” and product suggestion list for each customer.
You don’t need to be a giant enterprise to use this technology. With today’s easy to use data analytics, any business can personalize each customer’s experience.
3. Freedom is the Word for Employees
The challenges of 2020 put the idea of a remote workforce fully in front of businesses. This transition was not just an option, it was a necessity for businesses to survive.
The good news for your business is that by allowing your workforce to continue to work remotely, you are not limited in the location of your employees. This means you can “shop” for the talent and industry experience that your business needs to grow. This is just another way to make 2021 the best year for your business: flexibility.
Remote workforces can save employers money in operational expenses, such as utility costs. Many businesses do not have a centralized physical office location at all, preferring all employees to be remote. Employers can save money by hiring contractors and freelancers. Known as “gig workers,” these workers comprise over 34% of the current workforce.
Businesses know that in order to compete, they need to be flexible enough to hire the right workers for the job. These workers may come from any corner of the state, country, or even globe. In addition, more and more business models are turning away from traditional work hours for existing workers and allowing employees the ability to work from home several days a week.
Your employees can still be connected, no matter how “remote” they are. Microsoft has developed many tools, such as Planner, SharePoint, and Teams to keep your teams safely working together.
Growing Your Business in 2021 Means Finding the Right Partner for Your IT Needs
Your competition is already connected. It’s time to ramp up your digital presence to meet the demand.
It may seem like meeting these demands is way beyond your scope, skill and budget, but it’s the only way to make 2021 the best year for your business.
Digital technology is constantly changing. It affects everyone on a personal level as well as on a business level. Growing your business in 2021 means that you can’t afford to not up your technology game. The search is on for IT services that provide cutting-edge technology to keep your network safe and reliable for a price your business can afford.
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation with a friendly, knowledgeable Iconic IT professional today. Let us show you how we can equip you with cost-saving solutions and strategies that will keep your business up to speed, up to date, and up to the rising demands of growing your business in 2021.
Not ready to chat? You can download our Modern Workplace Journey Essentials Kit to start using today. This free kit comes with checklists, on-demand webinars, sample policies, audits and assessments, eBooks, and many other resources you need to keep your employees connected and secure while working remotely.
Iconic IT doesn’t believe in skimping on coverage for our clients. Unlike most MSPs that offer bare-bones services, we have plans as vast as the national parks they are named after. To us, anything else is underserving. We give you have the guidance and supplies you need, like a park ranger helping you through the forests and mountains of your IT issues and needs.
