8 Tech Mistakes Small Businesses Must Avoid

In this day and age, all small businesses rely on IT support and tech teams to some capacity. Whether these teams are in-house or outsourced, the need for IT support is crucial to effectively run a small business. Unfortunately, not all businesses are tech-savvy enough to understand every facet of technology and the constantly changing environment. And, as a result, most small businesses are on the wrong path and make the wrong decisions for their business. Here are eight common tech mistakes that many small businesses make and must avoid.

1) Not Giving Enough Importance to Online Security

Many small businesses often do not take online security seriously, which leads to widespread cyberattacks and security breaches. A big reason for these issues is simply carelessness. Many small businesses do not have proper security training for their employees, which why these businesses fall victim to attack. Human error is a real factor, too, in these instances. Even for trained employees. But the lack of overall training for these situations has showcased that these small businesses simply do not give enough importance to online security. However, when equipped with the right tools and technologies, there is less room for error. In order to raise the seriousness, it is important to bring in tools that can better protect the employees, while also taking steps to educate everyone about online security vulnerabilities, what causes them, and how to avoid them.

2) Relying Too Heavily on the Cloud

Part in parcel with issue number one comes issue number two. So not only do many small businesses simply not take online security seriously enough, but they also simultaneously rely too heavily on the cloud. The reason for this is that it is both practical and cheap to utilize the cloud. However, relying on it too much can be catastrophic for a business. Data loss because of cloud errors is commonplace. So, make a habit of storing the critical data in a place other than just the cloud. The IT solutions presented by MSEDP can help you keep your business safe and secure. Learn more about our cloud services and better understand how they can help.

3) Poor Backup Strategy

Preserving critical data at many places sounds like a good backup strategy in itself. However, that is not the way a professional should be setting up a data backup plan. Data breaches are ever-present and need to be considered for every IT solution. And the only way to ensure your data is safe is with a comprehensive data backup strategy. Start by deciding what data is critical for your business. Then, make it practice to backup the critical data every month or so. At MSEDP, we will help to determine the best data backup solution for your small business. Ensuring you are put in a place to succeed and that your data backup solution is sound.

4) No Regular Software Updates or Replacements

It is critical to understand new updates bring in applicable functions that could automate a task and improve organizational productivity. Unfortunately, many businesses do not have any policies to update the existing tools or bring in other services that can serve well. It is crucial to upgrade on software that saves time, improves productivity, and automates the tasks. These tools are beneficial in the long term and worth spending money on. So, do not hesitate to reach out to us and let us handle your IT solutions. We can effectively handle your web operations and make sure you are not behind on any regular software updates.

5) Lack of Caring About Online Reputation

Social media platforms are becoming the top choice for many businesses in order to improve brand reputation, amplify sales, and reach out directly to clients. So regardless of the fact whether your company operates B2B or B2C, what is important is having a social media presence. Many small businesses we deal with simply put little to no effort into their social media accounts. Of course, this is not the be all end all for a business, but every bit can help and brand exposure will help you get recognized. Small businesses are missing out on potential clients and customers when they leave their social media presence vacant.

6) Improper Communication Tools

Inadequate communication tools can be catastrophic to any sized business and lead to issues and delays. Many still rely on outdated aspects like Gmail. Gmail is a great tool for certain aspects of a business, but not for organization-wide communication. On top of that, most small businesses do not incorporate proper business integrations to complement their existing communication channels. At MSEDP, we can help set you up with Office 365, which is a great tool for any sized business and an effective step in building the proper communication tools within an organizational workflow.

7) Little Consideration Before Purchasing Office Equipment

Unfortunately, a lot of small businesses do not put enough thought into their office equipment, such as their computers, printers, or broadband services. Or at least they do not put in the right thinking before making these purchases and it has a tendency of backfiring. There is a good chance of wasting money on something that you shouldn't have purchased or bought without all of the information. It is critical for any sort of equipment purchase to understand which type is best for your day-to-day operations. And many small businesses are hesitant on replacing old computers and various equipment with new models in fear of wasting money. When in turn you are hurting your own business by not upgrading. Turn to MSEDP today and we can help you make the right purchasing decision on all of your office equipment. Out IT support team with consult with you to make sure you get everything you need.

8) Choosing the Wrong Tech Support

It is easy to flub this up, but many small businesses simply choose the wrong tech support for their means. And when that happens, it can be terrible for the business at large. Then these errors can get compounded when someone is trying to make up for the lack of tech support. However, when you turn to MSEDP, you are making the smart choice in tech support. We will work side by side with you to ensure all aspects are covered properly. Our customer support staff is there for you 24/7 to help you navigate any IT issues that arise. For more information about our IT services and managed IT support, please contact us today.

Technology is great when you use it correctly. Whether it is a simple piece of equipment or a comprehensive data backup strategy, make sure your small business is on the right path. And you can do that when you turn to MSEDP for the best in tech support. As a Long Island Managed Service Provider, we can work with you to protect your business and be there for you to grow. Make the call today.