Starting an online business can be exciting. Yet, emotions can run high because you want to ensure you’re in the best position to succeed. While new business owners have a lot on their plates, one thing they can do to ensure they have a good foundation is to set themselves up with the necessary technologies to run their businesses.
With that in mind, here are the top tech tools you should consider investing in from the start.
A Professional Camera
A high-quality DSLR camera is necessary for those that want to start an online business. It’s the best way to ensure that their products look great online when you upload your images to your site.
It also gives customers an accurate idea of what they get when they buy from your store. That’s because a professional camera lets you capture the perfect angle for showing off your products’ features.
Consider going for the Sony A6100 — a mirrorless camera that’s great for beginners and capable of producing quality images because of its 24.2 MP sensor.
An E-commerce Platform
An e-commerce platform is a software that allows you to run your online business. There are several different media types, but they all have one thing in common. They allow you to host and manage a website, customer orders and accounts.
You can create an online store with a few clicks of the mouse and let your customers use their browsers to buy from you. The best part is that you can go without needing a host to keep your site running.
E-commerce platforms, like Shopify, have that already built in for you.
Professional Email Account
Email accounts are important to e-commerce businesses, especially in the early stages of a business. Email can be good for confirming orders and sending invoices.
In addition, email accounts can also be great for marketing and customer support. Therefore, you get to build a loyal customer base while establishing yourself as an expert in your industry.
Plus, a professional email address is a requirement if you plan on hosting your business on e-commerce platforms.
Cybersecurity Software
As an e-commerce business owner, you're likely concerned about the security of your online store. After all, you want to ensure your customers' information is safe to keep hackers from stealing credit card information or other sensitive data.
Fortunately, there are many ways to protect yourself from cyber-attacks. One of the most important things you can do as an e-commerce entrepreneur is to install cybersecurity software on your website or online store. This will keep hackers at bay and prevent fraud or other problems with your accounts.
A Customer Relationship Management Tool
Building a strong customer base is one of the biggest challenges of starting an online business. Without one, it’s nearly impossible to turn a profit and stay afloat. That’s why a customer relationship management (CRM) tool is necessary.
It allows you to manage all of the information about your customers. Plus, the data enables you to build better relationships with your customers. It will also help you track leads and give you the resources to target potential customers through marketing campaigns.
Cloud Data Storage
Having reliable cloud data storage is necessary to start an e-commerce business. First, the cloud is a secure, remote data storage that allows you to access your files from any device. It’s a great way to manage and organize your company’s files and share them with employees.
It’s easy to set up and a great way to streamline your operations. Additionally, the cloud has faster speeds than a local server, so it may be more convenient and affordable in the long run.
For instance, many business owners love using Google Docs for storing all their information because it’s free and updates data in real time.
Accounting Software
Accounting software is a key component of running an e-commerce business. Without it, you'll be unable to handle all the tasks involved in keeping your business up and running, including:
- Keeping track of all sales and purchases.
- Recording expenses and payments.
- Preparing tax returns.
- Managing inventory.
Accounting software ensures that your records are accurate and up-to-date. Plus, it manages your finances, so they stay in order, and you can keep track of everything you need to run a profitable business. For instance, you can continuously monitor cash flow, business expenses and employee payroll.
Many entrepreneurs turn to QuickBooks as it’s easy to use and scalable.
A Payment Processor
A payment processor is a third-party entity that acts as a middleman between businesses and credit cards. It allows you to accept and process credit card payments online, which is an essential part of starting an online business.
A major benefit of using a payment processor is that it can help you save time and money on processing payments. Processing payments is expensive and time-consuming, so having a payment processor handle this means less work and more time for your business.
They also provide other services like fraud protection and customer service, which can benefit your business if there are any issues with payments.
Shipping Software
Shipping software is crucial for making your online business operate more efficiently. It allows you to improve customer services by tracking orders, monitoring delivery times, and responding quickly to questions or concerns.
It can also help you save money by determining the best shipping rates and offers based on location. You can even ensure shipments arrive on time so suppliers can get paid timely.
Curate a Pathway to Small Business Success
No doubt, starting an online business takes much time and effort. Yet, if you’re willing to commit to your goals, set aside time to learn and test new technologies, and have the right people on board — you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful online business!