In this day and age, it’s tough to grow a business without incorporating some of the available innovative technology.

Using the right tools, programs, and applications can do wonders for increasing efficiency in your operations, boosting your bottom line, and reducing your day-to-day stress.

Neglecting to use it not only can stunt your company’s growth. It leaves room for your competitors to take a commanding lead in the market.

When you’re not a technology expert, it’s hard to know where to start. Much less determine whether to keep specific tasks in-house or outsource them.

Below is a list of common areas in which technology and professional services could help your company stay relevant and grow.

Forming a Small Business

One of the most fundamental steps you will take when starting a business is establishing a business structure.

The structure you choose will determine the taxes you pay, your liability, and many other factors.

Many entrepreneurs elect to operate as an LLC because it provides tax advantages, personal liability protection, and it’s relatively easy to manage.

When it’s time to set up your LLC, you may benefit from working with an online formation service.

Not only will this make the formation process faster and easier, but it is also more affordable than hiring a lawyer.

Such a service will take care of filing all of your paperwork with your state and then give you all the documents you will need.

This can pay off big time to relieve stress and ensure your structure is thoroughly established.

Creating a Small Business Plan

If you don’t have an updated business plan, you need to jump on that fast. Many businesses fail due to a lack of structure for their goals and progress.

Whether you are trying to get a business off the ground or have an established business, creating a business plan should be a top priority.

A business plan is a document that outlines any relevant details concerning your company. Among many other factors, this includes your mission statement, core values, target audience, marketing strategies, financial projections, and funding requirements.

The good news is that you can get assistance writing a business plan. If you have someone on your team with adequate writing skills, they can use an online business plan template as a starting point.

It’s also easy to find freelance business plan writers who can produce a document that contains all the information you need.

Bookkeeping Technology

Bookkeeping and other areas of accounting are often complex, even for small companies. As such, many business owners fail to maintain sound bookkeeping practices, which can prove detrimental to the growth of a business.

Take advantage of the many accounting software options on the market today. Some platforms can streamline or automate virtually every accounting task. In addition, you might benefit from hiring an accountant who specializes in small business.

Web Development

Web development is fundamental to modern small businesses. While it’s a broad field, two of the primary areas where a professional web developer can benefit your business are building/maintaining your website and mobile app development.

Unless you have expertise in creating code and other web development skills, this is something to outsource.

Web Design Technology

There is an overlap between web development and web design. But generally speaking, web design concerns the aesthetics of a website, while web development pertains to its behind-the-scenes elements.

If you want your website to be unique and stand out but lack the necessary skills, you should consider outsourcing to a professional web designer.

Video Marketing Technology

When it’s done well, video is the most powerful form of content for a business. Smartphones allow you to produce live videos relatively easily.

Another popular form of video marketing that is engaging and attractive to audiences is animation.

Animated videos are dynamic, versatile, and cost-effective. They can bring your message to life, tell a story visually, are psychologically appealing, and can boost your marketing efforts exponentially.

Team Collaboration

Collaboration tools are crucial whether you handle every aspect of operations in-house or work with a remote team.

Apps like Slack and Google Workspace allow you to communicate and share content with employees and contractors — all in one easy-to-use interface.

And they’re cost-effective as well. While you’re at it, look into project management tools that contain these features and can help your team stay on track with your goals.

Rather than allow your competitors to gain the upper hand, start strategizing how you can incorporate some of the technology available to small businesses today.

Determine what jobs your team should handle in-house and which ones you should hire out. The ideas above will help you get going in the right direction. But keep researching so that you can set your company up to succeed for many years to come.