Cloud Computing

The introduction of cloud computing has a significant impact on the growth of small businesses. Previously, data processing and storage capabilities were reserved only for big corporations. With the help of network connectivity and shared computing, even small businesses are now able to process and store data. With cloud computing, even the smallest business ventures are now able to compete with big multinational corporations.

The Cloud Is Crowded These Days

According to statistics, there are more than 28 million small businesses in the United States alone. This statistic does not include the other mid-size businesses that also operate online. You will see that there are hundreds of other businesses that offer similar products and services and the customers today do their online research before they set out to buy something. A recent study has shown that almost 70% of the customers that buy local do online research on the products.

The customer reach is a great contributor to the crowding of the cloud but it is not the only way. With the increase in online connectivity, every type of business is now able to access professional services. Small businesses now have access to accounting software and services for managing the cash flow and preparing the tax documents. Today, experts around the globe are offering online coaching and services to small businesses on how to manage their resources and grow further. These services will increase your chances of success in the industry.

How To Use The Cloud To Compete With Big MNCs?

Fortunately, the internet and cloud computing provide tools that allow you to compete with big companies and rise above them. These tools also allow you to create competition for outdoing your competitors. Even though it takes effort, online competition is not always hard. More often, online competition is all about being first.

An interesting fact is that only half of the small businesses in the United States had a website till mid-2014. Many business owners believed that it is very expensive and time-consuming to launch and manage a website. Today, many business owners feel the same way about cloud and internet tools. There exist hundreds of cloud and internet options that help to easily set up a business website. You can easily launch a simple business website within half an hour and maintain the website with minimum expense by means of affordable cloud providers.

The rise of the mobile consumer is one other reason why many small businesses became able to compete with big companies nationally and globally. The advancement in mobile technology now allows the consumer to shop and do customer research. Most of the businesses’ websites are not optimized for mobile users and it gives you an advantage. Statistics show that 94% of small businesses alienate a significant portion of the consumer cloud by not optimizing their websites for mobile users. With the wide range of cloud tools available these days, it is much easier and less expensive to optimize your website for mobile users.

Where Should You Start?

Cloud Computing Tools

Cloud computing tools and options are very beneficial and essential for small business owners. With the help of these tools, you can track how you spend your valuable money and time. It will help in improving the effectiveness of your marketing and advertising campaigns. For example, many businesses updated their business’s rewards program to an electronic cloud-based system from a punch-card system. This allows sending the discounts and rewards to the customers automatically and that too with less expense.

The cloud version of QuickBooks is the first choice for most of the businessperson out there. It allows you to tie different bank accounts together and also helps to easily monitor the cash flow in and out of your business. Some people also choose Bodetree because, on top of the basic financials, it offers some insight and analytics. Businesses that have freelancers or virtual teams that work remotely need project management software and groupware systems such as Basecamp, Asana, and Trello to help all the employees work together.

Many experts now believe that people have gotten used to the software-delivered services and the last step is integrating all the different systems together. With the help of QuickBooks and Bodetree, many business owners are now able to evaluate their financial situations and determine whether they need working capital. They are also now able to determine if they are ready for a loan to expand their business.

You should know that apart from competing with marketing and customer engagement, several tedious tasks are now easier with various tools offered by the cloud. With the use of cloud services, it is easier for you to manage payroll, handle human resource tasks, deliver data and information to the service providers, keep up with the projects, etc. Cloud computing now allows small and mid-sized businesses to bravely take on big MNCs.