By Courtney Rosenfeld of http://www.gigspark.biz/

A successful small business owner knows that investing in new tech trends is imperative to their success. In the digital age, there are new programs, apps, and software being developed constantly. If you have a hard time deciding what is worth investing in and what is just a fad, you are not alone. Some tech options are expensive, and small businesses rarely have the ability to try things out. However, there are key trends that you have to invest in if you want to boost your sales and save money long term. Keep reading to find out the top tech trends you can’t afford to miss:

A Mobile-First Digital Age

With the amazing power that smartphones now carry, it is possible to run your business just from your phone. With this in mind, it is important to check your cell phone plan and update it to accommodate the additional network usage. Most providers include unlimited options tailored to businesses, and you can choose the plan that suits your needs the best. This can help prevent unnecessary overage charges if you find yourself in the middle of a big boom in your business.

Voice Search Optimization

The way people perform searches online is changing drastically. By 2020, consumers will perform 50% of all searches by voice or through a personal assistant. Optimizing your digital content for voice search is a key way to get ahead of the technology curve. Be sure to opt for natural-sounding, less technical language that matches the voice of your customer. Voice search developers use natural language processing to extract information, so using long-tail keywords is a better option for your voice search content.

Customer Relationship Management Software

Customer relationship management (CRM) software helps you manage and boost your small business by connecting all the different operations within your sales pipeline into one manageable system. These software systems store all of your customer information in a searchable database and provide you with insights on your various sales and marketing efforts. There are a lot of different CRM software options with various features available. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when choosing a CRM software, so it’s important to have defined goals for your sales efforts and identify where you’re falling short. Making a list of key features, such as ease of use for you and your team, helps you narrow down your options to a more reasonable list.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence has a huge impact on the way small businesses operate. As the use of AI in businesses continues to rise, there are a lot of ways you can incorporate it into your small business strategy right now:

1. Using chatbots to automate customer communication.
2. Using AI tools to streamline human resources responsibilities, such as the screening process.
3. Using an AI personal assistant to schedule team meetings.

Professional Website Development

Whether you have been in business for a short time or already have an established history, chances are that you have a website. Keeping your website up-to-date with the latest trends in content and design can seem overwhelming if it is not your area of expertise. A professional web developer can create a dynamic new website that is engaging and competitive. Hiring an in-house web developer also means keeping your website relevant long term.

Data Loss Protection

Over 70% of all hacking attempts are aimed at small business. With major companies making headlines because of large data breaches, protecting all customers’ data is critical to your success.  Developing a data loss prevention (DLP) strategy can help create a culture of privacy and security around your small business and keep your customers’ data out of the wrong hands.

The Bottom Line

Modern technology is awash with buzzwords and fads, but the best tech trends will help your small business thrive. If you’re one of the many small business owners looking for information on what tech they can’t afford to miss, you can greatly benefit from the above recommendations.