Running a business requires skills. Not only do you have to keep things running smoothly, but you also have to keep your company profitable. So, how can you do it all and grow your business?
Most business owners think outsourcing is the way to go. Companies can hire outside parties to perform services and manage fixed business costs wisely. Outsourcing saves time, and human resources can focus on more crucial business operations such as product development and strategy implementation. Business owners can focus on sales and customer service to improve their bottom line. Outsourcing also helps fill the skills gap in small businesses.
But, you cannot outsource all business operations. Small businesses should do vital tasks such as hiring, sales, and new business development managers on their own. Handing off these tasks can affect the company’s long-term vision. Comparatively, tech tasks are easy to outsource, and business owners can get better returns on their investment by hiring third-party agencies for such operations. Following are eight tech tasks businesses should consider outsourcing.
- Cloud computing: Cloud hosting improves access to information. Your employees will be able to access company data and work-related files from anywhere, with any device. But, cloud computing is costly. It is also risky because of security concerns. Fortunately, you can pass on this burden to a third party. Hire a company to maintain your cloud services. With the help of managed IT services, you gain access to professional services without having to put up with the hassle and additional costs on your end. Furthermore, cloud hosting can also help you save money on buying and maintaining independent servers.
- IT infrastructure: Developing infrastructure for your business is costly and labor-intensive. Not only do you need IT experts to maintain it, but you also need space to store everything. Outsourcing your equipment can save thousands of dollars in labor because the infrastructure owner owns the equipment. The service providers are in charge of troubleshooting issues and managing everything. So, owners do not have to worry about IT-related problems when they arise in the future. They can instead focus on business growth and customer engagement instead of maintaining their information system.
- Site design: While website development is sometimes easy, building an e-commerce site is not something anyone can handle. Your e-commerce site should run smoothly and look pleasing. According to experts, 73 percent of buyers focus on a supplier’s website. Therefore, your website is your first and best chance to make a good impression. Customers move to other suppliers when they experience problems during online shopping. And you wouldn’t want to lose business and brand equity like that, would you?
- Cybersecurity: Cyber-attacks are the most formidable threat to businesses in the 21st century. And with rapid digitalization, these threats are increasing. They are common in the modern workplace. While most people believe that their business information is safe, that is not true. Only five percent of companies have satisfactorily protected their information from attacks. Most of these attacks cost businesses billions of dollars. So, it is necessary to outsource your IT security services to an agency specializing in this niche. Get in touch with cybersecurity specialists to mitigate threats.
- Application development: All businesses should develop applications to gain an edge over competitors. Unfortunately, developing an app is expensive, and the average developer with limited skills and resources may not be able to build one that is compelling. Not only do businesses have to create custom applications, but they need to invest time and money into the venture. Therefore, companies should look for third-party vendors to develop their apps. Ask them to integrate features to improve the user experience.
- Testing: Not every business has the time or skills to test its services. You might be spending all your time on product development with no time to spare for other tasks and operations. You can outsource this service to improve your products. Third-party firms can help you keep your products up-to-date and test for bugs. They can also identify any issues such as system breakdowns. Hiring an external QA team can save your resources.
- Two-factor authentication: Most breaches occur when users are not vigilant. So, profitable companies are using two-factor authentication to beef up their cybersecurity. But, what is two-factor authentication? It is when you need to confirm that you have logged in to the database yourself. Most bank accounts, email accounts, and other confidential information require two passcodes. For example, Google offers two-factor authentication. Users can access information with a one-time code or through their fingerprints on their phones. You should protect sensitive data with two-factor authentications to avoid data breaches. Introducing two-factor authentication from scratch is complicated. So, outsource the task.
- Anything outside your core competencies: Every company has a niche. They cannot work on everything because they do not have the right skills. So, hire someone else to do these tasks instead of wasting time learning new skills. You can also collaborate with vendors to build your skills and get familiar with the process. Before contacting someone, have a clear idea of your wants and need.
Conclusion
Outsourcing your tech needs can free up significant time for you. However, do not go overboard. Do not ask others to do things that they do not understand. You should also be clear about what you want and how to execute the changes. This article mentioned some tech-related tasks and operations that you should outsource. Doing so will allow you to utilize time, money, and other business resources more wisely.
