{"id":7794,"date":"2022-12-28T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-28T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/?p=7794"},"modified":"2022-12-19T11:27:35","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T03:27:35","slug":"how-to-digitize-your-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/how-to-digitize-your-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Digitize Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are many advantages to digitization. You will enjoy lower operational costs, increased productivity and improved customer experience, to name a few, by simply doing business online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digitization offered a lifeline for many startups and small businesses in the Philippines during the pandemic. Now, industries are racing to achieve digital maturity. If you haven\u2019t jumped on the \u201cdigital\u201d train, now\u2019s the best time to make it happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re sharing practical tips to help you jumpstart your digitization journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What exactly do we mean by digitizing your business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Digital transformation doesn\u2019t stop with having a website and a few social media pages. It\u2019s also about creating a great customer experience<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. That could mean different things for every business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you\u2019re a retail startup, digitization could be a transition to ecommerce, or if you have a mall kiosk, it could be as simple as offering mobile payment options<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the core of it, business process digitization means reducing any friction in your customers\u2019 journey and making it easy for them to find you and do business with you, even after the sale has been made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do you need to digitize?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Digitizing your business is crucial in today’s economy.
Image from Getty Images<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Digitization has become necessary to grow and scale a business in today\u2019s economy. Not only does it give your customers more ways to access your business, but also provides a number of benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to digitize to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Streamline your processes <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Businesses can use digital technology to make their operations smoother. Almost every niche or industry has dedicated tools and platforms to address sticking points unique to their operations and funnels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A retail store or even a tiangge<\/em>, for example, can use mobile, cloud-based POS software to track sales and inventory, process payments and manage staff in one place. Even a single tool can remove bottlenecks caused by manual, outdated processes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save time and cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Time and cost savings are the biggest gains from embracing digital. Today, business owners can market and sell their products on their own, free of charge, using marketplace platforms and social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can start selling immediately and promote your brand online without paying exorbitant fees to ad agencies. But even hiring a digital agency to bring leads to your stores wouldn\u2019t hurt if you have the budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, there are simple tools you can use to increase your productivity. Using a chatbot to answer common customer questions, for example, can save you a lot of resources, allowing you to focus more on things that matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wide availability of digital tools has helped businesses become more productive and efficient. Productivity platforms, for instance, have allowed for easier cross-departmental collaboration and project tracking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also learn about: <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ultimate List of Platforms to Start Your Online Store<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Facebook Messenger Chatbot<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provide a great customer experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since you\u2019re using technology to accomplish specific tasks, you can channel your resources into more important aspects of your business, such as providing unbeatable customer service. In the digital economy, it’s become easier to personalize and humanize the customer experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because you can reach out to customers directly, gather insights on how to enhance their experience, and test out different approaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhance security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Digital technologies are a lot more secure compared to analog ones. Legacy systems are vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks, human error and other external factors like disasters and power outages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By bringing everything online, you\u2019ll get layers of protection to safeguard your data and assets, as well as your customers\u2019 privacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out how you can Protect Your Ecommerce Website from Today\u2019s Biggest Online Threats<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to digitize your business operations<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Digitizing your business creates new channels to reach the right people at the right time. 
Image from Getty Images <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Transitioning to a full-fledged ecommerce model will position your business for success in this highly competitive, always-on economy. It starts with creating new channels to reach the right people at the right time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the steps to bring your business online:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start selling online<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re a startup or a brick-and-mortar business, there\u2019s no reason for you not to sell online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A digital storefront ensures your business can be found through internet searches, listings and directories. Social media is a great place to start<\/a> to generate awareness and demand and gain insights into your niche and potential customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build an ecommerce website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve got the inventory and the logistical requirements to sell goods at scale, you can start setting up your ecommerce website. You can start small with a POS system with an ecommerce feature or go all-in with hosting platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce and Wix.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a full list of the Top Ecommerce Website Builders to Use<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEO your website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your website is visible in the search engine results pages (SERPs) by doing search engine optimization<\/a>. Matching your website content with relevant keywords ensures people will find your website when they\u2019re looking for a product or service you\u2019re offering.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build your social media profiles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok<\/a>, Instagram, and LinkedIn allow brands to connect with their customers on a more intimate level. Set up and manage your profiles on these networking sites to build brand awareness and direct targeted traffic to your ecommerce website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business process digitization means reducing any friction in your customers\u2019 journey and making it easy for them to find you and do business with you.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Google MyBusiness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Claiming your profile on Google MyBusiness<\/a> ensures your business information is visible on the search engine. Optimize your profile with relevant keywords and keep your information (address, phone numbers, hours, etc.) up-to-date for a seamless customer experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Email marketing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Email marketing<\/a> remains one of the most effective means to convert qualified traffic into leads and, eventually, sales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tools like Mailchimp, HubSpot and Constant Contact let you automate newsletters and drip campaigns to promote your products and services directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paid Ads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to scale your marketing and have the budget, you can achieve quick results with paid advertising. Paid social and paid search are the top two options to convert qualified leads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn are the best platforms to engage your ideal audiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiring an agency vs building an in-house team<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Hiring an agency vs in-house team, both have pros and cons.
Image from Freepik<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You might be wondering: can an effective digital transformation be achieved with an in-house team, or is it better to hire an agency? The simple answer is that either option has pros and cons, with many factors to consider.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiring an agency <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many companies outsource their digitization process as it requires technical know-how and marketing leadership, which not a lot of small businesses have. Consider these when deciding on hiring an agency:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/h4>\n\n\n\n