10 Small Business Tech Trends of 2022

Published by PITSAdmin on August 19, 2022

As an entrepreneur or small business owner, you may not be at the forefront of developing technology, but tech still plays a vital role in your business’s growth and efficiency. Given how much things have changed in the past year, small business technology trends will only grow in importance throughout the rest of 2022 and into 2023.

In addition to investigating the latest tech trends among small companies, we asked some leading tech experts and small business owners for their thoughts. Here are 10 small business tech trends for 2022 and beyond.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been hot tech topics for years. For example, AI is reshaping the insurance industry by improving insurer pain points and creating a better user experience.

As more solutions integrate smart technologies, small business owners will continue incorporating them into new and existing processes in 2022. This could mean a wide range of implementation scenarios, from voice assistants to personalized customer experiences.

5G rollout

The business implications of 5G are many. The adoption of 5G technology began in 2019, but the pandemic significantly delayed its rollout domestically and internationally. Still, the benefits of adopting the fifth generation of cellular capability include significantly faster data transmission speeds than 4G networks can provide. According to cell phone manufacturer Huawei, 5G also promises little or no latency, or delay in data transfer.

Employee monitoring software

After two years of enforced home working and saturation media coverage of infection rates, it’s understandable that not all employees are queuing up to return to open-plan offices. Remote work is here to stay, with hybrid working an increasingly popular option. The monitoring software can be used to gain granular oversight of remote workers and their productivity. When choosing employee monitoring software, look for features like mobile device coverage and the ability to spot ineffective working practices.

Employees may perceive monitoring software as beneficial if hard work is recognized and achievements are praised.

Remote onboarding

As more businesses embrace the hybrid working model (and the potential savings stemming from shedding office space and freeing up employee commuting time for additional work), they will rely on technology to handle a successful onboarding process for remote employees.

Onboarding is integral to hiring new employees as you get them up to speed with their responsibilities and the company culture. Without the ability to connect in person, either because of the pandemic or their location, companies are turning to software for onboarding.

Tech-assisted shopping

Retailers have seen some of the most dramatic fallout from the pandemic. In response to lockdowns and related disruptions, major businesses have been accelerating their rollout of mobile and social media shopping to create a contactless shopping experience.

this high-tech approach to keeping people safe has spread to more than just curbside pickup, which has become a natural extension of existing tech such as mobile payments and terminals.

Software unification

We can also see the pandemic’s fallout in the growing unification of formerly distinct software interfaces. For example, consider the integration of Microsoft Teams into Windows 11.

Additionally, we’re seeing increasing adoption of third-party software integrations. Today, a company might use Slack to connect teams, Outlook to send important documents, Salesforce to manage customers, Basecamp to plan projects, and Google Drive to store company information. Data silos are a significant threat that unification helps to mitigate and minimize.

Increased focus on cybersecurity

The shift to new working practices has spawned new forms of fraud, with malware evolving in response to greater virtual communication and the rising domestic use of workplace hardware.

However, this sense of risk hasn’t trickled down to businesses. According to research from BullGuard, nearly 60% of small businesses think it’s unlikely they will be targeted in a cyberattack. However, industry specialists IT Governance reported an 11% rise in security incidents in 2021 compared to 2020, totaling 5.1 billion breached records.

Greater emphasis on automation

Automation has long been a buzzword in small business circles, However business owners are now looking seriously at workplace automation as a way to save money and cover problem areas.

Influencer marketing

Social media influencers and personalized marketing are becoming viable avenues for connecting with customers and showcasing products. Gone are the days of driving sales through traditional print advertising. Nowadays, a business must have a dynamic, strategic marketing plan, which increasingly means working with influencers.

Social media marketing can help you connect with your customers and develop a niche within your industry. Working with genuine influencers (as opposed to influencer marketing fraud scams) means understanding your business’s needs and doing your research on who’s influential within the industry.

Small businesses are continuing to adopt social media advertising in 2022. While influencers are often considered social media advertisers, social media advertising also encompasses areas like pay-per-click marketing.

This trend is paying off. According to Rosenberg, three-quarters of U.S. consumers have purchased a product they saw in a brand’s social media post. If you’re not already active on social, it’s time to start showcasing your brand.

If your business needs a couple extra hands Pacific IT Support can help. Get in touch. Contact us today or book a discovery session today.