As a business owner, you’re always looking for ways to increase your efficiency and productivity. You can work with a wealth management specialist to discover ways to keep more of the profits your company makes.

Technology, however, can also help you in achieving those goals. Here are some tips on how to use technology to increase your business’s efficiency.

1. Beware the “Screw It” Factor and Automate Manual Tasks Whenever Possible

One reason so many people fail to implement the productivity and efficiency software they want to use is because it’s just too much work. They think, “Oh, I’ll set it up eventually. Right now, I just can’t be bothered.”

Don’t let yourself fall prey to this attitude. Learning how to implement new technology and automate your tasks takes time and effort initially. But once you get the ball rolling (so to speak) and start mastering the automation you’ve implemented, you’ll find that automating certain processes frees up a lot of time for other things.

2. Keep Everything Backed Up

If you’ve got a computer, chances are good that you’ve experienced losing some of your data at one time or another. To avoid losing files and information to viruses or other problems, make sure all your devices are always backed up.

On top of that, back up both your personal and business computers with an offsite backup system. That way, even if something happens to one (or more) of your computers, you’ll still have access to all your important files.

3. Protect Your Information with Good Passwords

The importance of using strong passwords to protect both your personal and business computers cannot be overstated. Weak passwords make it easier for hackers to gain access to your information, which could lead to identity theft or lost productivity if malware or spyware gets installed onto your device.

While you should always use strong passwords like the ones offered by LastPass, you should also change them up every few months. Other tips to remember include not writing down passwords in obvious places, avoiding public computers when possible, email thread with co-workers or clients — except for maybe trying to track down someone who and never giving out your password to anyone.

4. Use Social Media Effectively

Social media can be a powerful tool for increasing the reach of your company message – but only if it’s used correctly. Posting on social media sites every so often won’t hurt anything, but try not to annoy people with too many updates about irrelevant things.

Instead, work social media into your marketing strategy by posting original content and articles your customers might be interested in (much like this blog post), so they’ll want to share it with their friends.

5. Keep Your Services Updated

Having the latest versions of software installed minimizes the risk of vulnerabilities that could lead to security breaches and malware attacks on your computer(s). Plus, if you keep your operating system and applications updated with newer versions whenever available, you’re much less likely to encounter compatibility issues with new technology as it becomes available.

While updating can take time, it’s a necessary evil we all have to deal with as part of “the digital lifestyle” these days. With some foresight and planning, you can make sure everything gets updated as quickly as possible – without having too much downtime in the process.

6. Implement an Instant Messaging System

Instant messaging is probably something you’re already familiar with, and it’s one of the most productivity-boosting tools when used correctly. By creating a chatroom to stay in touch with employees, managers, and clients all at once, companies can cut down on phone tag and email overload.

Instant messaging systems like Slack are even designed specifically for businesses, so there’s no need to worry about any inappropriate or unprofessional messages getting sent because everything is monitored by an administrator.

7. Find the Right Mobile Apps to Meet Your Needs

Everyone knows about Uber by now, but can your business benefit from an app like it? Some companies have found success with apps designed specifically to meet their unique needs, so consider doing some research to find out if there’s a mobile app solution available for whatever problem(s) you’re facing.

For example, if you need an employee scheduling tool but don’t know where to begin, check out Staffbase. The free mobile app makes it easy for managers to schedule their employees with just a few taps on the screen. Not only that but the information is automatically synced with your calendar, so you’ll never miss another shift again.

The right app could save you time and money down the road while boosting productivity through its convenience factor.

By using these helpful tips, you can use technology to increase the efficiency of your business – and that’s a good thing because it means more time can be spent on building a better product or service for your customers.