12 ways you can use the cloud to grow your business

on March 18, 2023

The cloud is a consolidated bank of remote computers that can be instantly accessed by the internet, in this space, you can store data, run business apps, stream content, develop and deploy software, manage databases, and much more. Enabling your business to use state-of-the-art technology without the hassle of maintaining it on your premises.

1. Be more productive
Cloud computing allows for automation for you to run reports and generate insights to what earns the business the most revenue and help make key decisions and determine the future course of the business. Immediate availability of accurate, up-to-date business information makes it easier to spot and fix the inefficiencies within your company.

2. Keep business data up to date

Cloud computing makes it easier than ever to keep data and records across all departments in a central location. Whenever a business app accesses the central database, it obtains the latest version. When a database entry is added or changed, it doesn’t have to be copied over to other databases manually.

3. Secure your business data and documentation

The latest cloud data encryption tech ensures that all data sent to and from your devices is safe, even if cybercriminals intercept it. This includes all documents as well as all internal and external communications.

4. Scale as you need to
Cloud computing allows you to only scale up to the required amount enabling flexibility while growing and being able to justify the cost associated with growing/scaling operations. Cloud services can be expanded or reduced at any moment to enable optimal budget utilization. Cloud technology is much better than internal IT infrastructure at adapting to companies’ changing needs.

5. Exploit big-data opportunities
Big data enables companies to make computations to gain actionable insights from historical data on customer churn, deal size estimations, optimal sales funnels, fraud detection, and predictive maintenance on machinery. Traditionally, small businesses lacked the storage and computing to handle big data but the cloud along with plugin tools enables businesses of any size to be able to take advantage of this business trend at a fraction of the cost

6. Benefit from better team collaboration
Cloud collaboration can build organizational, vertical, functional and individual project management systems that can best improve productivity and ensure optimal work while being able to monitor and assign responsibility.

7. Automate more tasks

Cloud automation manages to complete routine tasks regularly giving employees more time apps can now automate hiring, payroll, annual reviews, compile sales data, work reports, job summaries, generate invoices, send marketing collateral and so much more.

Cloud automation of tasks reduces employees’ workloads, thus giving them more time to be productive. Productivity software maps out the work required in the coming days and weeks and alerts team members long before something is due, so staff accomplish more and need less day-to-day management.

8. Save money

Cloud apps help you save money in two ways, and you can use that extra money to grow your business. Firstly, by eliminating infrastructure costs which are normally a huge lump sum that can be replaced with a substantially less monthly payment. Second, the number of employees needed can be reduced as a lot of work can be automated for a low monthly fee.

9. Hire fewer programmers and IT staff

The less physical IT equipment you have on your premises, the fewer people you need to maintain it. With cloud service providers, you simply email their customer service team, and they can get you up and running.

10. Expand employee availability
The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions to work from home. We see and acknowledge the trend of WFH or hybrid models steadily rising as businesses begin to see the benefits that come with shifting to this model. If this trend persists, top talent may choose to work only for companies that embrace this kind of flexibility.

11. Be prepared for business interruptions and cyberattacks

A fire, flood, or cyberattack at your business can knock your company out for weeks. But if you use the cloud to store most of your data and run most of your apps, you could continue to work while you’re recovering from these disasters. Many business owners are afraid of a so-called ransomware attack, in which hackers block access to a system and data, threatening to wipe out both if the owner doesn’t pay up. Neutralize that threat by automatically backing up your data and files to the cloud every few minutes, where they’ll be out of cybercriminals’ reach.

12. Capitalize on e-commerce

Cloud services such as Webflow, Wix, and Squarespace allow novices to build functional, sophisticated, and beautiful websites. Business owners can also link these websites directly to their cloud or on-premises CRM, databases, and other business management software to keep track of sales, items left in inventory, payment and shipping statuses, and more.