How important is IT to your business? And is it worth outsourcing? In this post we list the top 9 IT services every small business should outsource.
Technology and business go hand in hand. Growing business needs have created the need for technological innovation, particularly in areas such as marketing, security and communication.
Similarly, advances in technology have transformed the way businesses operate — making them more efficient, increasing their value, and allowing them to reach a wide range of customers. For instance, the invention of the Internet and social media have allowed businesses to expand their audiences through the use of digital marketing.
Related: Digital Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
It is therefore obvious that information technology should be part of every business in 2021, regardless of its size. However, small business owners often cannot afford to hire a large, full-time IT staff.
For this reason, outsourcing is both useful and cost effective. It allows small business owners to benefit from quality IT services, only as needed.
Below are 9 of the most important IT services every small business should outsource.
1. IT Support
With a small staff to handle your IT support, you have limited skills and knowledge. This can be a big issue when you encounter a problem that is beyond what your in-house IT staff can handle.
When you outsource, however, you have quick access to a wide range of IT experts. Their combined skills and knowledge makes them better able to accurately solve any IT problems that may arise.
2. Cybersecurity
No one wants their business to be attacked by hackers or have private data deleted or publicized. For this reason, cybersecurity is a crucial aspect of any business with an online presence.
IBM defines it as ‘the practice of protecting critical systems and sensitive information from digital attacks.’ However, cybersecurity is also complex. Its complexity makes it difficult for one person to handle, but to hire the needed number of employees is often too expensive for small businesses.
Outsourcing provides a solution to this problem. It gives you access to a variety of experts who will be dedicated to monitoring your system for suspicious activity and vulnerabilities.
3. IT Infrastructure
Your business’s IT infrastructure consists of the components needed to operate and manage enterprise IT environments (source). This infrastructure can be deployed by your own facilities, but only if it can be managed by a strong IT team.
Otherwise, it is better to outsource and utilize a cloud computing system. This facilitates quick expansion or contraction, since it is delivered via the Internet.
4. Ecommerce
E-Commerce is a great way to increase your revenue and reach a wider audience, but it isn’t always easy to do on your own. For example, you need to decide if it’s best to sell on a third-party platform like Etsy, or your own website, and how you should accept payments. Decisions like these can make or break your e-commerce store.
If you already sell online or you’re interested in doing so, outsourcing may be the best choice for you. Outsourcing someone who is experienced in setting up successful ecommerce platforms increases the chances of your own store being successful. In addition, it allows you to focus on the aspects of your business you are best at.
5. App Development
At some point in your business, you may decide to create a customer app or a business application customized to your needs. Outsourcing is the easiest way for small businesses to accomplish this.
Outsourcing gives you access to professional app developers who can create and maintain the application you need. This approach is much more affordable than hiring a full-time app developer.
6. Digital & Social Strategy
In this article, we discuss the value that digital marketing brings to your business. However, if you don’t understand the principles behind marketing, you can do more harm than good.
But it takes time to learn the right strategies for successful digital marketing .
A better idea is to outsource your digital marketing and social strategy to an agency or qualified freelancer. By doing this you can save both time and money while still reaping the benefits of digital marketing.
7. Web Design & Development
In 2021, having a website for your small business is definitely worth it. The problem is that learning to develop your own site can be difficult, yet hiring a full-time web developer is expensive. Again, the solution to this issue is to outsource.
Whether you choose a freelancer or agency, outsourcing is an affordable way to create a professional website for your business.
8. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Customer Relationship Management refers to the management and analysis of customer interactions and data, throughout the customer lifecycle. CRM benefits businesses by helping to improve customer relationships, provide better customer service, and identify trends (source).
But although beneficial, CRM can be time-consuming. Outsourcing allows you to benefit from CRM while staying focused on business activities that you do best.
9. Everything Outside the Expertise of Your In-House IT Staff
Information Technology is a broad field consisting of a variety of tasks. If your existing IT staff has only one or a few persons, it’s not fair to expect them to be experts in every aspect of IT. For that reason, you should let your in-house IT staff focus on what they are good at, and consider outsourcing anything outside their expertise.
Conclusion
Information technology plays an important role in the business world. However, it can be expensive for small businesses to hire a large, full-time IT staff to fulfill all their IT needs. By outsourcing some of the IT services listed in this article, you can benefit from high-quality IT services at a reduced cost.
Need help with tech? We can help.
References:
https://www.brightlinktech.com/2019/06/12/top-9-tech-tasks-small-businesses-should-outsource/
