7 Tech Skills Every Business Owner Should Have

Transferable Skills

As technology expands throughout everyday life and operations, business owners should start to integrate it into their company models. Organizations that stay on top of advancements can use technology to their advantage and stand out from the competition. They can also reel in consumers in new, exciting ways.

The following tech expertise can revolutionize your operations, both in person and digitally.

1. Coding

Coding has become an essential skill in recent years. It can transform the way you shape your website and how you advertise. It's the process of creating or changing the computer's "language" so that it operates how you want it to. Most commonly, HTML or CSS coding is what appears in all computers. Each line of code then adds up to become the script.

A basic understanding of coding can go a long way. You won't need to learn every little detail — unless you want to, of course — to see its benefits. However, the more you know about it, the more you can help it to change your business. Once you get a hold of the basics, you can choose to continue onto programs like Java or Python.

2. The Cloud

The cloud can seem mysterious and vague. That might be because there's nothing tangible that represents it, but instead devices that support it. The cloud is a network, essentially, and this network comprises various servers that can carry out numerous functions. Tasks like data and software management, streaming, social media, data storage and production are all within the cloud's wheelhouse.

Many individuals already use this network as storage for their phones or computers. Developing such digital skills is crucial for leveraging cloud technology effectively, especially for businesses that want to take advantage of this resource and maximize its full potential. At least 73% of enterprises use the cloud for some part of their operations, as it provides a platform for improved productivity in the workplace. With project management software, you can use this system to compile all information in one place for constant, easy access.

3. Excel

Online accounting, bookkeeping and financing are vital parts of a business. You'll want to keep these records organized as best you can for quick reference, especially during tax season. You can invest in different programs that will help you with these processes or turn to Excel and Google Sheets.

Excel is a trusted spreadsheet platform you can use to create invoices, labels, payment logs, time sheets, receipts and more. It offers extensive capabilities and customization, making it the perfect way to get on top of finances. This software was groundbreaking when it first came out and still is to this day. Once you learn how to use it, you'll be able to gear it towards improving your business.



4. Mobile

The use of mobile devices is becoming increasingly common. In fact, by 2025, more than 72% of the world's population will use only smartphones to access the internet. While desktops and laptops are still popular necessities, smartphones are growing rapidly. More and more people use them for shopping, browsing and streaming every day.

Due to this increase in use, you'll want to become fluent in integrating a mobile-friendly version of your company online. The user interface of any website must be accessible enough for consumers to use. If it's overly complicated, it will turn them away. Additionally, you'll want to introduce mobile forms of payment, such as Venmo, PayPal and Square. These options make it easy for you to do business on the go and keep your information organized.

5. WordPress

WordPress is a popular online publication tool. With it, you can run a website, blog, templates, online stores and more. Because of its versatility, more than one-third of the internet chooses to use this host. Here, you can launch and maintain your online persona and customize it to fit your needs.

WordPress can walk you through each step of building your digital presence. Additionally, it offers mobile integration, so you won't have to worry about taking on that responsibility by yourself. From its beginning in 2005, this publisher has grown into a foundational tool that can improve any business.

6. SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a crucial tool for online business. For those with blogs or news articles, SEO can transform your business and draw in more traffic, increasing visibility. SEO uses search engines, like Google and Bing, to promote your content and generate clicks through various techniques.

These methods include things like keywords, understanding search algorithms and proper linking. When you have the foundation you need in SEO, you can use internet marketing to your advantage. The outcome will boost your location in search engine results. You can then combine your SEO with pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to maximize your traffic and ability to stand out online. If you use Google Analytics to optimize your SEO content, you can gain an even wider reach.

7. Communication

Communication is vital in all aspects of life. As a tech tool, however, it can take on many different forms. One example is voice over IP (VoIP), which entails optimized technology to communicate better with consumers. Currently, around 22 million businesses subscribe to VoIP services.

Elsewhere, you'll want to utilize popular social media platforms to your advantage. These sites offer ways to connect with your audience on personal levels, as well as broadcast your products or messages.

Another form of communication is email. While email marketing is an old skill, it improves with each innovation. An automation tool like MailChimp can help you market to customers, allowing you to segment and target specific demographics for your newsletters, promotions, updates and more.


Are You a Business Owner? If So, Learn These Tech Skills

With these tech tools and skills, from coding to communication, you can prepare yourself for all things business-related. Attract your target audience with the methods they prefer. Utilize markets and innovations the competition hasn't touched, and boost your brand to the top of consumers' minds.

Once you've gained this expertise, you can improve your enterprise and make it the best it can be.



Further Reading from Skills You Need


The Skills You Need Guide to Self-Employment and Running Your Own Business

The Skills You Need Guide to Self-Employment and
Running Your Own Business

If you are thinking about running your own business, or already do so, but feel that you need some guidance, then this eBook is for you. It takes you through self-employment in easy steps, helping you to ensure that your business has more chance of success.

The Skills You Need Guide to Self-Employment and Running Your Own Business is the guide no new or aspiring entrepreneur can afford to be without!

Based on our popular self-employment and entrepreneurship content.


About the Author


Kayla Matthews is a productivity writer and self-improvement blogger. You can read more work from Kayla on MakeUseOf, VentureBeat, TinyBuddha and Inc.com.

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