10 Ways how to operate your small business easily with a smartphone

Advance technical tools in the software, hardware and networking segments have eased remote working professionals and businessmen. Resultantly, remote workers and business travelers can work more efficiently anytime, anywhere. The user-friendliness and portability of smartphones have added to the comfort and ease of working. For this reason, more and more business owners have started to operate and execute orders through mobiles.

With impeccable software settings, new apps, faster speed, and smart features, mobile phones have become business tools for official works. However, you business owners should have the right set of knowledge to make the best use of their smartphone.

Here is the list of top practices you can follow for your business's boundless growth and success.

1. Keep your official email account accessible through your phone

Link your official email account on your smartphone to access and reply to business emails in real-time. Besides being user-friendly and portable, a handset comes in handy to check emails without accessing your business email account through a laptop or desktop. It not only ensures faster response but also keeps the emailing process organised.

2. Give sales presentations using mobile

You need to carry a projector or laptop to give presentations, especially if you have only one or two people for it. Create a presentation on your smartphone and present it to the people. However, you'll need a projector for a large audience, but showing your smartphone presentation is a good idea for a small group with two or three people.

3. Leverage voice technology to manage your business

Virtual Assistants such as Google Assistant, Apple Siri, Amazon Echo, etc., have become a part of our daily lives. You may use voice technology to perform several tasks like sending emails, making a business call, setting a meeting reminder, sending official messages, opening apps on your smartphone, and others.

You don't need to type a text to conduct searches on Google or to send email replies. Speak out your concern, and the job will be done in no time. If you use your smartphone rightly for your business, you can save a lot of your time and effort.

4. Use your mobile for text message marketing

Text message marketing campaigns allow businesses to retain customers by giving them the option of receiving messages from the businesses they have dealt with. Over 90% of individuals open those messages to know about the new offers and deals. Those texts are short and can be read in a matter of three minutes.

Mobile marketing and text messaging are effective strategies to spread the word about your new launches and latest offers. Businesses can even send links to digital coupons via text messaging.

5. Optimise and organise your smartphone's home screen

Organise the applications on your home screen to keep your productivity levels high. Keep the important applications on your screen's first page, and the other non-work applications can be docked on the rest pages. It will save you from the hassle of finding the apps that you use extensively for your business purposes.

6. Keep high-resolution pictures of business cards and product models on your phone

Business owners have to deal with a lot of professionals and other business owners daily. Resultantly, they are left with too many business cards. Most of them may turn out to be highly important contacts for the business. Chances are, you may miss any of the important business cards or may fail to find them when needed. Hence, it's best to use the mobile camera of your handset and keep a digital copy of the business cards. You may even add detailed notes to follow up later.

Besides, you can also load images or catalogs of the products you deal with. The selected info or product detail can be easily shared with potential customers instantly via email or messages without arranging a printed copy.  

7. Download the applications that can be used across multiple platforms

Today, there are several applications such as Google's G Suite, Office 365, OkCredit, and others that reduce manual working and speed up the working of businesses. From managing invoices to documenting payments and administrating credit and debit records of customers, these applications automate the entire process. These apps ease the task of businesses to a great extent.

Both business personnel and customers get timely notifications about payments, outstanding balances and other particulars. Businesses need not deal with the hassle of recording or maintaining transactions or preparing invoices. It helps in saving time and effort, which can be used for business growth and expansion.

8. Don't let the device distract you from work

Switch off the phone or keep it on Airplane mode when you don't need the device for your business. Running business operations using a smartphone is a great idea, but it is important to define the limitations of its use. There are many features in smartphones that may be distracting and affect your professional life.

Also, it's best to switch off the smartphone after office hours. It is not wise to attend those business-related emails, messages, or calls after you are done for the day. It could affect your personal life or vice versa. Moreover, excessive use of the gadget may affect your productivity.

9. Prioritise the security of your mobile

It is crucial to ensure the optimal security of your mobile phone. Be extra cautious with business information stored in your handset. Use a smartphone for accessing sending reports, checking emails, office documents, and checking messages. You should take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the info and device. Install safe and reliable applications to eliminate the possibility of loss or theft of any information from your smartphone.

10. Avoid using your personal phone for business purposes

You may either keep a separate smartphone for business work or use only one handset for personal and business purposes. The former is a better option anyway. The mobile you use to call or message family or friends or internet surfing can't be used for business purposes as things may eventually distract you. Moreover, there will always be security risks.

Moreover, the phone you use for personal purposes will probably have many non-work-related features and applications that may distract your attention during working hours. To avoid all these potential issues, use a separate phone for your business.

Final Takeaway

Today, the use of smartphones is no longer limited to social networking. The advancements and inclusions in technology have made these gadgets a highly potential tool for all types and sizes of businesses. It has eliminated distance and time obstacles and helped businesses build better communication with vendors, customers, and workers. Also, it’s important to stay updated on the latest smartphone features to scale up your business working and efficiency.  If used wisely, the features of mobile phones can do wonders in marketing and growing the business.

Also Read:

1) How Can One Handle a Big Loss in a Business?
2) How does Employee Engagement Help Boost Business Performance?
3) How to Start a Furniture Export Business?
4) 6 Tips to get a loan for business while having bad credit

Stay updated with new business ideas & business tips with OkCredit blogs in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi & more!
Download OkCredit now & get rid of your bookkeeping hassles.
OkCredit is 100% Made in India.

FAQs

Q. In what ways does a mobile phone help in business growth?

Ans. You can use your smartphone for tracking and managing business expenses, take orders from customers, accept payments, and even make presentations.

Q. Is a smartphone an ideal tool for sharing the service and product details of the business?

Ans. Yes, you can easily carry your product catalogs and service details in your smartphone in the form of images, text, and other information.

Q. How to use a smartphone for planning a work schedule?

Ans. Smartphones come with various in-built applications like Schedule Planner, day planner, calendar, making it easier for the users to plan their schedule quickly in a hassle-free manner.

Q. How to increase the customer base of businesses using a smartphone?

Ans. Businesses can easily direct their customers to their online touchpoints through QR codes. You can also get them printed on your marketing materials and product packaging. It is one of the quick and cheapest ways to increase your customer count.

Q. Is it possible to fill forms and sign documents on a mobile device?

Ans. You can easily fill forms and add a digital signature to the documents without getting them printed. The filled and signed documents can be shared via email or faxed to the party.