Featured article by Calvin Paige, Independent Technology Author
Technology is changing business forever. There’s no way to avoid it. So, if you’re a small business owner, you need to jump on the bandwagon now. The more tech-savvy you get, the better chance you have of surviving the technological revolution. Here are nine technologies that will change small businesses.
Chatbots
Chatbots pop up when a new user visits a website. They act as a barrier between customer service teams and the customers. In many ways, they’re super helpful, especially when a small business is dealing with a high volume of traffic. Plus, as they get more and more intelligent, they could actually replace the need for customer service execs.
Wearable tech
Nowadays, people are always connected. Smartphones are connected to GPS, and people have even taken to wearing technology. Smartwatches have become increasingly popular, and many experts reckon this is a trend that will continue to grow. This will have a significant effect on how people pay for goods, how employees are tracked, and much more.
Cheaper tech
With more competition and easier access to manufacturing, tech is getting cheaper. You can find amazing business laptop deals, affordable smartphones, and cheaper industry-specific technology. This makes it easier for anyone to actually start a small business.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things has been growing for years. For the layman, it refers to how gadgets and household items connect to the internet and connect to each other. As more and more ‘things’ become connected, small businesses will see different security concerns and data tracking opportunities.
3-D printing
3-D printing might seem like a fad that has since passed. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Just because people aren’t talking about it as much doesn’t mean it’s not a growing and disruptive technology. 3-D printing is going to change how small businesses innovate. It allows startups to develop and test products without a huge amount of funding. That means it’s leveling the playing field for innovation.
Security technologies
Now that small businesses are becoming increasingly data-driven, they will also see a huge uptake of security technologies. As it becomes more important for businesses to protect their customers’ data, they will have to invest heavily in security.
Blockchain
Bitcoin and other digital currencies haven’t taken over the world like some experts thought they would. But don’t count them out just yet. This industry could just be getting started. Some small businesses have started accepting blockchain payments, which could suggest a growing acceptance in the business community.
Smart payments
It’s getting easier and easier to pay for goods. Now, all you have to do is tap your smartphone on a card machine. You don’t need to carry a wallet or purse. You don’t need to carry cash. This trend is only going to grow, which could have a massive impact on small businesses. For example, the ease of payment removes a barrier between the customer and the vendor. This could spark a massive change in customer buying behavior.
Machine Learning/artificial intelligence
Big businesses (like Amazon) have already started using machine learning and artificial intelligence in their day-to-day operations. This is a trend that is going to change the way the world works forever. There’s no limit to how much these technologies will disrupt the business society.
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