As a small business owner, you probably think that technology is your ally. After all, it can help you do everything from streamline operations to get more customers and even expand internationally. However, there are many mistakes that you might be making without even realizing it that could cost your company money and customer trust. In this post, we will talk about 7 of the most common technical mistakes made by small businesses and how to solve them.
Tech Mistakes Made By Small Business
Failure To Perform Regular Data Backups
Failure to perform regular data backups is one of the biggest mistakes made by small businesses. If a computer crashes, gets lost, or stolen and the data isn’t backed up somewhere else, it’s almost always gone for good. Make sure you’re taking steps to back up all of your important information daily.
This is one of the most common mistakes made by small businesses when using technology because many business owners don’t realize how quickly they can lose everything.
It’s also important to make sure you’re storing your backups in a safe place and that the information is accessible when needed. Ensure that all computer systems are connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and be aware of the fire, flood, or theft risks. If any part of your technology infrastructure isn’t protected, you could lose everything.
Backup services can help protect your technology investment and peace of mind when it comes to keeping all business information backed up every day.
Over-extending The Life Of Technology
Business owners are often guilty of not knowing when it is time to upgrade their computers, printers, or other equipment. However, the cost of being comfortable with under-performing technology can be high both in terms of productivity loss and money spent on repairs. Business owners need to be able to recognize signs that they need new technology before problems become too great to solve.
- When a computer is too slow to open programs or run regular applications it might be time for an upgrade.
Memory and processor speed are the most basic signs of whether a machine needs updating.
- If older software cannot keep up with new technologies, then business owners should consider upgrading their machines as well as any necessary software updates before problems become worse.
- Another common problem that comes with older equipment is the cost of repairs.
Though some business owners might prefer to put off or avoid spending money on new hardware, repairing old devices can become expensive and time-consuming when they continue to break down over an extended time after multiple attempts at repair. Additionally, maintaining outdated technology often requires a person with more knowledge and training than many small business owners have. The time spent on repairs or hiring someone to fix problems can be better invested in increasing productivity and managing other aspects of the company.
Poor Antivirus And Malware Protection
Small businesses often make the mistake of not taking proper precautions when it comes to viruses and malware. If you are on a budget, there are free options available that provide excellent protection for your computers against viruses. You can also opt for a paid antivirus that provides regular updates.
Protecting against malware is not as easy, because there are several kinds of it and you need to use an anti-malware program like Malwarebytes to ensure protection against different types.
Irresponsible Passwords
Irresponsible passwords are easy for hackers to guess. Not only do common passwords like “password”, or “1234” make it easy for hackers to take control of your computer, they can also be used as a springboard to launch more sophisticated attacks. After gaining access to one place via password guessing, the next step is often enumerating (or listing) other places within your system where you have used the same password. If a hacker has access to your computer, they can often install spyware or keyloggers (which record everything you type) and go from there.
Neither do long passwords containing only letters work well as these are hard for users to remember which leads them to write them down where anyone could find them. You need a password that contains a mixture of both letters and numbers.
Also, remember to change your password frequently so that if one system is compromised you don’t have to worry about all the passwords being stolen at once.
Poorly Configured Routers And Wireless Connections
Small businesses often overlook the security of their router, which is a big mistake. There are several things you need to do to make sure that traffic on your network remains secure. Firstly, make sure that remote management is disabled for your router so no one can access it from outside of the building and change settings. You also need to make sure that your router’s password is strong and unique – the same one for every device on your network will lead to security problems.
Lastly, if possible, use a VPN service with all devices to encrypt the traffic passing through the router. This way you can ensure that no data transmitted over public networks is intercepted.
Email Inefficiency
Email is a great tool for communication, but it can also be an incredible time suck. Emails are easy to send out and receive, which means you should expect lots of them – even if your workday starts with the best intentions! If employees aren’t careful about how many emails they send or respond to every day, their workday can be shot in no time.
Not Outsourcing Its Support
The most common mistake that small businesses make is not outsourcing their support.
Many business owners think they can handle all of their IT infrastructures on their own and don’t need to outsource it. However, this could mean big trouble for the business if something goes wrong with any part of your system so you should consider an outside source to help you deal with these issues.
Conclusion
Small businesses should not be making these seven common technical mistakes and must learn to avoid them. By following the advice in this article, you will become much more knowledgeable about your company’s technology infrastructure which is vital for future success!
