Are you interested in taking full advantage of all the technologies that are available to your business? Are you hoping to make some changes for the better in 2018? Are you wondering which technologies deserve most of your time and money?
Since no two businesses are the same, the approach you take may not be the same as the next company. Even so, there are some technologies that continue to grow by leaps and bounds with each passing day.
While there is no way of knowing for sure if a particular type of technology will benefit your company, here are five ideas to consider in 2018:
VoIP
Forget about that old school phone service you have been relying on for so many years. Not only is it ancient in terms of technology, but it’s probably costing your company entirely too much money.
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Once you learn how to deploy VoIP in the appropriate manner, it won’t be long before you’re taking full advantage of the many benefits it has to offer.
Instant messaging
Go back in time 15 years and many people were using instant messaging (such as AIM) to communicate with friends and family.
While using IM for personal reasons is still a great way to communicate, more and more companies have come to realize the benefits.
In addition to real time communication, you’ll gain access to features such as voice chat, video chat, file sharing, and much more. This type of technology can go a long way in changing the way you communicate at work.
Text messaging
This is not a new technology, but you may not be the type of person who is using text messaging for work related reasons.
Sure, you send texts to your family and friends, but you can also do the same with coworkers, clients, and prospects.
The nice thing about text messaging is that you don’t need anything more than a smartphone. With this in hand, you’ll find it simple to communicate through this form of technology.
Live chat
If you want your company to excel, you need to provide a high-quality customer service experience at all times. While this is easier said than done, there are things you can do to make your life easier.
Live chat allows any visitor to your website to get in touch with a customer service representative. This is often more efficient than providing support via email or phone.
Tip: Don’t hesitate to hire an intern to handle live chat customer support for your company. This is a particularly good idea if you’re new to this and want to see what it has to offer.
Appointment scheduling software
Are you tired of all the hassles and challenges associated with making and keeping appointments? Do you continue to miss appointments because you are unable to stay organized?
If you find yourself in this position, you need to implement appointment scheduling software in 2018. This one change can go a long way in helping your business, while also allowing you to work in a more efficient manner.
Tip: Don’t hesitate to experiment with more than one type of appointment scheduling software, as this is the best way to determine what will work for you. There are many options to choose from, so take your time.
Conclusion
These are among the best technologies to deploy in your business in 2018. If you have yet to take advantage of these, you need to consider if one or more could work in your favor in the new year.
It can be a challenge to use new technology, but once you know what you are doing you will look back and wonder how you ever lived without it.
Do you have any experience with one or more of these technologies? Do you have your eyes set on one of these in 2018? Share your personal experiences in the comment section below. Any feedback you provide can help other business owners make better decisions in regards to the technology they use.
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