Hello everyone, and welcome! We’ve got something really thrilling to share with you today. We’re introducing a special guest from the amazing team at 8 Count Marketing. They are always outstanding in the way they help small businesses stand out and be heard. Today, they’ve joined us to dive into an important topic—how top-notch marketing and a solid IT setup work together like best friends to boost the success of your small business.

Hey there, small business champs! Let’s dive into two of the most important, but often overlooked parts of your business – IT (all your things tech) and Marketing. Having these join forces with each other will get your business wins!
Think of your small business like a car. Marketing is the engine roaring you towards your destination, while IT is the mechanic keeping everything running smoothly. If the mechanic isn’t there or doesn’t have the skillset, even the best engine will grind to a halt.

Tech Issues!

Here’s how tech troubles can throw a wrench in your small business growth.

Website
If your website goes down, customers can’t check you out, new clients can’t find your information and your team is stuck in limbo. This can make news customers think twice and miss out on what you and your business offer!

Cyber Attacks
Hackers are like villains trying to mess with your business. If they sneak in, there is no telling what damage can be caused. It will scare your customers away and cost you trust, which in turn will cost your business.

Slow as a Snail
Using out of date tech is like trying to win a race stuck in first gear. Your small business growth wants to sprint, but out of date tech can make everything feel like it’s stuck in tar.
Tech and Marketing Working Together!

When your tech and marketing join forces, your small business is unstoppable!

Know Your Audience

Great IT support helps you learn tons about your customers, your leads and your business growth. The more you know, the better your business will provide for your clients needs. Keeping your CRM, databases etc. that hold all that valuable information up to the task is a no brainer for keeping you and your growth running strong.

Adapting Fast

With your trusty tech running in tip top shape, you can change your marketing moves quickly to keep up in the light speed digital world we live. Need to get out the latest social media post, or send an email about a new product? If your computers aren’t up to the task, you will have nothing but missed opportunities.

Check-Up Time

Stopping problems before they start is not only efficient for your business growth and operation, it is also a cost saver. How do you accomplish this? Time for a check-up!
Peek Under the Hood

An IT check-up helps you spot problems with your computers and other while they can still be small and managed, before they cause headaches. Your IT team isn’t just there to fix what is broken, a simple quarterly or even monthly tech tune up keeps you software up-to-date and your computer security keeping all the bad guys out.

Do We Even Need This?

This check-up also looks at how well your tech tools are helping your team and business. You maybe paying for a subscription to software you don’t use or is out of date. Is your office software up to date and set up in the best way for you? A solid IT check up done by a solid IT team can find and fix issue like this to get you the most bang for your buck.

Marketing Check

Once your tech is in good hands, check your marketing mojo.

Reexamine Plan

Review your marketing game plan. Is it helping you score? If not this is the perfect time to have you marketing team update your goals and the path to achieve them

Channel Check
See how well your marketing moves are playing out. Not getting the results you need? Not a problem, it’s a chance to change the channel, branch out and explore new options. Update the wording on your landing page, start a video series or even craft a new lead magnet. These are just a taste of the options available to your business.

IT and Marketing on Your Team!

After your check-ups, use what you learned to make your tech and marketing work seamlessly together.

Chat It Up

Better tech means you, your customers and your team can chat smoothly. Ideas can be shared well beyond the confines of your office water cooler. Email, messaging software and the like working as they should make communication a breeze and not a chore.

Cool Tools

Keep an eye out for the latest and greatest tools that can make your business shine. With the right tech and the right tech support, your marketing teams can do all kinds of amazing tricks!

Wrapping It Up

Keeping your small business tech and small business marketing playing nice can feel like a juggling act. Heaving a team (internal, outsourced or a hybrid), will have your business zooming ahead of the competition. When everything clicks, your business is all set to grow!

This article was contributed by a guest author in collaboration with 8 Count Marketing, where small business marketing is reimagined and transformed into unforgettable brand crescendos. For more insights like these or to voice your unique brand rhythm through innovative marketing solutions, reach out at contact@8countmarketing.com.

In the constantly evolving landscape of modern business, IT support has transitioned from a mere operational component to a critical catalyst for organizational growth. This article takes you on a journey through the evolution of IT support, highlighting the progress of pioneering firm MicroSupport.com alongside industry development.

IT Support in the 1980s: Humble Beginnings

At dawn of the computer age in the early 1980s, IT support was a nascent concept. With the influx of personal computers, a new range of technical challenges arose, signaling the dawn of IT support. Fast-forward to the present, IT teams now play an essential strategic role in businesses of all sizes and scopes.

1990s–2000s: Riding the IT Wave

The IT boom of the 90s and 2000s saw an eruption of technology in business processes. Evidently, enhanced system complexity introduced an array of potential issues. In this era, the call for professional IT support catapulted, and MicroSupport.com, alongside the IT industry, swelled to address this burgeoning need.

Present Age: IT Support as an Impetus for Growth

Today, IT support is a cornerstone in maintaining seamless business operations. MicroSupport.com and other leading service providers have evolved from problem solvers to strategic business partners, offering customized solutions catering to businesses’ unique needs. In a world that thrives on interconnectivity and data, proficient IT support ensures smooth conduct of operations and fortifies the foundation for corporate growth.

Technology continues to transform our world at an unprecedented rate and in this whirlwind of innovation, the significance of IT support in business growth strategy is undeniable. Through these evolving times, MicroSupport.com has emerged as a flagbearer in providing dependable IT support, standing as a sturdy pillar of growth for countless enterprises.

Ready to propel your business towards its potential with cutting-edge IT support? Contact us today to find out how MicroSupport.com can help you navigate your growth journey.

Technology has transformed businesses in unimaginable ways, helping companies compete with big players, connect with customers across the globe, boost productivity, and skyrocket the bottom line. IT has become an essential part of day-to-day operations. Unfortunately, when IT downtime inevitably strikes, businesses face significant challenges.

IT downtime can occur for various reasons, such as virus attacks, system bugs, hardware failures, or even natural disasters. The impact of downtime is not only costly – according to Gartner, 43% of small businesses close their doors right after a major data loss, and only 6% survive long-term – but it can also damage your brand reputation. To minimize downtime duration and frequency, implementing proactive measures is crucial. Here are four ways you can avoid IT downtime and ensure your business stays up and running:

1. Use Monitored Antivirus and Firewalls
Most businesses use antivirus and firewalls, but many rely on default setups similar to home systems rather than robust professional protections. Considering that malware and cyber-attacks often target small to medium-sized businesses, upgrading to monitored antivirus and firewalls is highly recommended.
At MicroSupport, our experts set up custom protection to block known and emerging attacks. We handle all updates and implement company-wide security measures that prevent users from accidentally infecting the network. If something appears suspicious, our monitors take immediate action to protect your business.

2. Have Reliable Backups
Backups not only defend your business against digital threats like viruses and ransomware but also protect against physical threats like theft, fire, or natural disasters. A solid backup system is crucial to prevent your business from being crippled by data loss.
Our Managed Services team can handle the backup process for you. Alternatively, you can follow the rule of three if you have an on-site technician: one backup on the server, one unplugged from the server, and one off-site. With reliable backups, businesses can quickly recover recent data and continue operating normally.

3. Plan for Disaster
While anticipating a flooded office or ransomware attack is unpleasant, having a comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan ensures faster recovery and reduced downtime. A clear plan outlines the necessary steps, responsibilities, and priorities in case of an unforeseen event, so your employees know what to do and who to inform.

4. Monitor Hardware for Early Signs
Computer hardware, like any equipment, provides warning signs before failure. These can manifest as unusual noises, reduced performance, or even system crashes. Identifying these early warning signs helps you take action before a crash leads to extensive downtime.
Our hardware monitoring service runs in the background, tracking metrics to predict the time until failure. If signs point to imminent failure, we will inform you and often repair or replace the affected hardware with little or no downtime.
While downtime may be an unavoidable aspect of tech-enabled businesses, proper preparation can minimize its frequency and duration. Reducing risk through proactive measures ensures that downtime remains a rare occurrence. MicroSupport’s Managed Services can take care of this for you, preventing many downtime events before they happen.

Let MicroSupport Tackle Your IT Challenges Today!
Ready to minimize your IT downtime and keep your business running smoothly? Contact MicroSupport today to discuss your options. Give us a call at 602-692-7300, or visit our website at microsupport.com to learn more about our services. Together, let’s build a more resilient and secure IT infrastructure for your business.

Congrats on launching your start-up! We all know starting a business comes with its pile of expenses, with tech often occupying a significant chunk of the budget. It’s not always about high costs; it’s also about the multitude of tech options that can complicate decisions. It’s easy to get lost in the labyrinth of dazzling features and then, out of nowhere: your budget implodes!
To help you make sense of it, here is a guided route to seamlessly aligning your business with the right tech – sans stress.
1. Do You Really Need It?
Many times, opting for a cloud-based application can eliminate the need for major purchases like bulky servers and an on-site IT professional to manage it. Lots of business applications offer a cloud version which lets you enjoy the benefits without making a dent in your pocket. Before jumping on any tech expenditure, evaluate the applications you’ll be operating and decide whether you need a local installation or cloud solution. Consider how you intend to utilize the apps – maybe your focus is remote access, or possibly, fostering collaboration is central to your company culture. This is an often overlooked, yet crucial step to keep your tech expenses from spiraling out of control.
2. Seek Expert Opinions
While consulting friends and family might be an instinctive move, the factors to consider extend beyond their preferences. Their insights might stem from a consumer perspective or brand inclination. Keep in mind that every enterprise is distinct and synchronizing the right technology with your business can save significant funds down the line.
3. Opt for Business-Grade
Regrettably, the machines you find in your local retail store may not meet business standards. They are tailored for personal users seeking to perform quick tasks, not for managing a workload spanning 8+ hours a day. Business-grade systems host additional features your company needs, backed by lengthy warranties and superior support. Given the rising cyber threats, paying close attention to the security offered by business-grade tech is a prudent choice.
4. Prioritize Scalability
New businesses evolve swiftly in their initial years. The last thing you’d want is to scramble for new tech or cobble together a hodgepodge of mismatched tools, trying to keep pace with your vision. Your technology must be as scalable as your business. This means strategizing your purchases, keeping future growth in mind, as opposed to making decisions solely based on price.
5. Select an IT Partner
Partnering with a dedicated IT firm during setup and continuing through your journey of growth can prove invaluable. An IT partner can assist not only with your procurement strategy but also provide support as tech issues pop up.
Remember, a supplier will sell, but a partner is committed to catalyzing your long-term business success. With a partner, you can trust they’re familiar with your business, understand how IT can leverage your competitive edge, and prioritize critical systems. Good tech isn’t just an expense; it’s a boost for productivity, customer service, and steady growth.
If you’re seeking an IT partner to fuel growth for your business, get in touch with us at 602-692-7300. Let’s empower your start-up journey with the right tech.
How to Get the Right Tech for Your New Business