Small businesses have the most hectic schedules and working conditions. After all, as a business owner, you have to fill in several roles. So, making the business a bit more comfortable using some of the most necessary electronics and technology is important.
If you don’t want to spend a lot and only want the basics, here’s an exhaustive list!
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Laptop
For every small business owner, a computer is one of the basic must-have devices. Sure, modern-day smartphones provide features on par with computers. However, the ease of operation is much higher in a laptop.
A laptop also ensures you have the complete functionality of a PC minus the chunky setup. You can carry it on the go and get your tasks done.
To ensure you choose the right laptop, focus on these points:
- Choose a desirable RAM to store files and documents long-term. Opt for at least 8GB or more of RAM.
- To avoid having a pixelated screen and enjoy a good quality picture, invest in at least a 1920 × 1080 screen resolution.
- Go for at least 10 hours of laptop battery life. But if you have specific needs, go for a better battery life as required.
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Tablet and Smartphone
While most people already have these gadgets, some may not. So, ensure you have a dedicated tablet and smartphone for your business operations.
They’ll help you streamline your business in several ways. For instance, you can communicate with your team over the phone or online without interference from loved ones’ texts and calls.
You can also perform website user tests and ensure everything runs smoothly. You can review social media posts and interact with customers online.
Additionally, you can manage finances, organize company documents, and analyze data online on your tablet.
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High-Speed Wireless Router
If you want to get work done on the go and online, it’s important to carry a high-speed wireless router. Data packages from your sim provider can help, but the speed won’t be efficient.
Moreover, carrying a router is better if you and your team need to work outside. Some say they can access free public Wi-Fi and do their job. However, those are hubs for hackers.
Additionally, a high-speed router will help you work more efficiently if you have to check social media streams. These devices aren’t only used for smartphones, tablets, or laptops. You can also use them for your printer, EPOS, and surveillance systems.
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Electronic Business Card
Traditional paper business cards are pretty wasteful. You have to spend every time you run out of cards, get some information updated, or have some printing mistakes.
On the flip side, if you switch to an electronic business card, you’ll enjoy several benefits. For instance:
- You can update any information on the card online.
- Your updated information automatically reaches people who already have your card scanned.
- You can share unlimited information.
- They can connect with you easily over call, email, or social media platforms without manually typing details.
- It helps you keep track of people viewing your card, save your contacts, engage with the information on your card, and connect with you.
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Printer
While businesses go paperless, contracts and deals must be printed. For that, a portable printer is important. These can help you print effortlessly from your laptop or smartphone – so long you have a stable internet connection.
You can also get one with in-built scanning functions if that’s a necessary feature for your business. Ensure you choose a sleek, compact, wireless model for the highest efficiency.
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Headset
Headphones are important to have hands-free calls. This way, you can do other activities on call – like going through your computer, taking notes, sorting files, or even traveling.
Moreover, when you’re holding a phone, your hands may move. When the phone moves away from your mouth, they may not get clear audio. So, it also facilitates consistent and clear audio to the other person.
Noise can make you 66% less productive. So, if you work in a noisy environment, it also boosts productivity.
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Power Bank
A compact mobile power bank is another useful electronic gadget. After all, you won’t want your phone to die in a virtual meeting with a big investor.
There are also other situations when a power bank can be useful. For instance, you might need to connect with your team while you’re on a long journey. There’s no charging point available near you. Or worse, there’s no electricity in your area.
In these situations, you can at least charge your phone and finish urgent tasks like meetings.
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Security Gadgets
Small businesses are most prone to criminal activities. Criminals think these businesses are more vulnerable and that they’ll easily get away.
So, it’s high time you invest in security gadgets like an alarm system to alert you about intruders. Moreover, get a quality surveillance system to catch a good visual of the criminal. The footage will help you find the culprit faster.
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Label Maker
Some establishments tend to customers and keep their products in the same space—for instance, nail technician studios, hair salons, makeup studios, florists, or other businesses.
In these scenarios, your customers can see where you keep your stocked products. A great way to impress them is to keep the space organized. And for that, a label maker comes to the rescue!
Add aesthetic-looking labels to uplift the overall visuals and create a comfortable and inviting space.
Even if your customers don’t enter your business space, you can still label your drawers and elevate the look of your workspace. It also ensures that your supplies aren’t misplaced.
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Portable POS (Point-of-Scale) System
A POS system is like an in-store cash register. In the post-Covid scenes, most customers prefer cashless payments. Ensure your chosen system supports both credit and debit transactions.
So, if most customers prefer digital payments, invest in one. Otherwise, you might lose a chunk of your consumers.
Conclusion
Now that you have the list of all the important gadgets for your business figure out which are most important and start investing!