In the 'digital age', we expect everything to be at the click of a button. Whether you want to find out where to find a local coffee shop or a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, the answer is usually found on Google. So if your customer experience isn't made easy by being at the click of a button, are you limiting your business?
Digitisation is an End-to-End Process
In order for your business to be 'digitally minded', all aspects of your business need to be digital. All employees need to be on board, so it may mean extra training for some if they don’t feel they are digitally savvy. In order to avoid conflict, they need to understand the need for change, so communication is imperative.
You may choose to work with outsourcing partners to digitise your business. This will help if you are not confident with technology to ensure that you don't waste time and money. A lot of businesses have over spent on technology projects because they have underestimated what they need. However, there are some tasks that you cannot outsource such as:
• Communication - though you can outsource the creation of a new website, new customers may contact you through the new website and it is important that you are able to reply.
• Content - you may choose to hire someone to set up a social media page for you, but it is important to keep on top of the content of the site in order to keep in contact with clients and customers. This could be through new posts or replying to comments.
Are Your Competitors More Digital Than You?
You may think that your business doesn't need a website or social media page, but it's worth keeping an eye on what your competitors are doing because if your customers find them first, you may miss out on a new customer. It's also best to keep on top of what your customers' needs are in order to stay ahead. For example, is there a need for a social media page to keep in contact with current customers and attract new ones?
How digital your business needs to be will depend on the market you are in. It may be as simple as setting up a website or a social media page. Or it could be more complex with the need for a sophisticated SEO system.
Digitisation Doesn't Need to Be Overnight
If your business has been running for a long time, it may be a big culture change to become digital. So, it doesn't have to be an overnight change. As we all know, technology is rapidly changing so making small changes regularly will mean that you stay up-to-date. But, it's best to start now before your business gets left behind.