Weighing the Pros and Cons of DIY vs. Consultants for Your Small Business Tech Needs

When you own a small business, every penny counts. Every minute of your time can count as well, especially when you are working solo or with a small staff. So, how can time-strapped, budget-minded small business owners decide which tech-related projects to tackle in-house, and which tech tasks should be handled by outside help? Well, this list of common small business tech needs can make those calls much easier and make tech projects more efficient.

Ensuring PCI Compliance and Data Breach Prevention

Are you familiar with PCI compliance? If not, you really should be. PCI compliance can refer to any or all of the standards required of small businesses that handle, process, or transmit consumer credit card information. So whether you sell products online, in-store, or do a little bit of both, knowing how to protect consumer credit card information is essential for establishing trust and preventing costly mistakes that could jeopardize your business. Protecting cardholder data and updating applicable software systems are just two of the steps that can accomplish this important tech goal. Using firewalls can help protect credit card information as well, and firewalls can also be useful in preventing other types of data breaches. Since most small businesses fold after a successful data breach, getting the help you need with PCI compliance and data security should be a priority. You can read up on PCI compliance and look for secure credit card processing on your own, but when it comes to setting up complete data security, you may want to invest time and money into a consultant.

Handling Visual and Digital Marketing Responsibilities

Knowing some marketing basics is also essential for the success of your small business. For example, you can identify your target customer without any outside help, and you can manage marketing by using social media apps. If you want to get the most out of those apps and stay on top of marketing tasks, however, you are going to need a powerful smartphone in your hand. Newer phones, like Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max, come equipped with a professional-grade camera and extended battery life that can make taking photos of new products and posting those photos on social media a snap. Plus, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max and comparable Android phones, you also get added security via built-in privacy features that can further protect your small business from the threats mentioned above. That way, you can use marketing tools to promote your business without worrying about putting your personal information at risk. It’s also important to have an internet connection that’s reliable as well as fast to ensure that you can easily access and save your projects without worry about losing any data.

Creating, Managing and Updating a Small Business Website

If you plan on taking your products online for the first time and you are depending on those sales for the success of your business, then you should consider hiring a web designer. Web designers can create a customized retail website that will showcase your products while providing visitors with a user-friendly experience. Getting help with website design can also be a savvy move if you have very little code or design experience yourself. If you are working with a tight budget or looking for a small boost from online sales, then using a website builder could be a more practical and economical choice. Keep in mind though, that most free website builders offer minimal creative control and minimal ability to manage your website. So, if you will be making constant changes to your site or if you need access to advanced tools for marketing or SEO, then opting for a web designer could save you time, money, and hassle in the long run.

When you can DIY tech projects or any other tasks for your small business, you are more likely to save on costs. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that your most valuable asset isn’t always cash. Because saving time can be even more important for hustling small business owners. So, it’s important to know when to DIY and when it’s best to ask for help.