With 2019 just around the corner, many businesses are gearing up for the new year ahead. If you want to see an increase in your profits and retail jobs over the coming year, now is the time to act. The 2019 business sphere is going to be all about tech, with more companies than ever buckling down and focusing on growing their online presence.
Here are some of next year’s must-have tools that are bound to help your business succeed.
1. Virtual Website Builder
These days, no company is complete without its own website. Unfortunately, not all of us are skilled in the software department. That’s where virtual website builders come in handy. They help the tech-illiterate to create a fully functional website, from simple blogs to online retail marketplaces.
Most website building platforms offer a variety of pre-designed patterns that can be used for your company website, with some offering both free and paid designs. There are countless virtual builders to choose from, including popular services such as Wix, Weebly, GoDaddy, and WordPress.
2. Freelancing Platforms
Every once in a while, your business may need a little bit of help from an outside expert. Enter freelancers. Whether you need a graphic designer to create a logo for your company or a writer to whip up some quality blog content, you’re bound to find freelancers online who are ready and willing to take on your project.
In the era of the Internet, it’s easier than ever to find talented freelancers with the precise skill set for which you’re looking. You aren’t limited geographically, meaning that you can hire professionals from across the globe to help you and your business to succeed.
There are multiple platforms where freelancers can advertise their services, or where you can go to post a job offering. Craigslist has long been a popular choice amongst freelancers, but new sites such as Fiverr and Upwork are quickly taking over as the go-to platform for freelance workers and contractors.
3. Virtual Private Network
Nowadays, online security is crucial to the success of any business. Last year, cyber attacks cost small and medium-sized businesses an average of $2,235,000, and the trend is expected to continue.
While a strong password can offer some degree of protection, it’s not a foolproof strategy. It’s best to have multiple measures in place to keep your business’ and your clients’ information protected.
A virtual private network, or VPN, can offer a further degree of protection against cybercriminals.
A VPN service allows you to access the Internet safely and privately, hiding your online activity from malicious parties and limiting access to network content. It does this by routing your connection through a separate server so that anyone looking into your connection is referred back to the VPN. Most VPN services charge a small monthly fee for their protection.
4. SEO Services
A strong online presence is a must-have for any business in the modern era. One of the best ways to improve your visibility and increase web traffic is by using SEO practices to boost your search engine ranking. There are countless ways that you can boost your ranking on sites such as Bing, Google, and Yahoo, including:
- Title tags
- Meta descriptions
- Targeted keywords and phrases
- Blog posts and guest posts
- Linking anchor text
You can also hire an outside agency such as New York SEO Services | Hook Agency to help optimize your web content for search engines. These experts are able to figure out the best keywords for your content, write targeted blog posts, and get your company more links from other high-authority websites back to your site.
5. Video Conferencing
These days, more and more companies are ditching the traditional brick-and-mortar model and operating fully online. While this can help to cut operating costs and improve worker productivity, it also makes communication a significant challenge.
It’s possible to do everything through phone and email, but much of the personal touch is lost through this approach. Investing in video conferencing software and equipment can enhance communication efforts both within the company and when communicating with clients and partners.
It’s best to opt for a high-quality camera and microphone system, as grainy video or tinny sound may not send the most professional image.
Many video conferencing services are compatible with phone and laptop cameras, allowing you and your employees to speak face-to-face even when on the go.
In 2019, businesses can expect to see current tech trends continuing to grow. Tools such as a virtual website builder, a VPN, and SEO services are all must-haves for companies trying to compete in the modern climate. With the help of the latest technology, you can improve your business practices and work to set your company apart from the rest.