The digital age is changing the way companies operate at every level – from automating administrative processes to evolving customer journeys.
In response to these changes brought on by this new technological era, small business owners across Australia have been looking to master the art of digital transformation, putting in place transformation strategies that are tailored to their business.
Digital transformation initiatives also come with a diverse range of business goals, from boosting a business’ online presence and operations using emerging tech and tools, to strengthening its credibility and reach.
Understandably, implementing new tools can be daunting to business owners. The best way to start is by asking – ‘What does digitisation mean for my business?’. Identifying the core goals behind your digital transformation initiatives will assist in a smooth evolution for your business – and with a stronger return on all your tech investments.
What investments are best positioned to provide that strong ROI, ensuring you’ll have capital on hand for future growth moves? Let’s take a look at some of the most lucrative investments making an impact on small businesses.
ISO Certification & Other Trust Signals
Thriving in a digital landscape starts by putting your best foot forward. And what better way to do just that than by making sure your organisation is presented as trustworthy and authoritative online?
Here, Certification badges can naturally be a major asset to your website and web presence. Thankfully, the process of securing Certification (like internationally recognised ISO Certification) is as easy as identifying what trust signals are likely to be most valuable to your business, and securing the support of consultants that specialise in those accreditations.
For instance, if you’re looking at securing ISO 9001:2015 Certification, simply partner with a trusted ISO 9001 consultant to start strategising on the development and implementation of your Quality Management Systems.
Being an internationally recognised accreditation, ISO 9001:2015 Certification is an instant vote of confidence for your business online. That, and compliance with the ISO 9001:2015 frameworks will also help your company streamline its processes, reduce errors and waste, and generally maintain a consistent standard of quality.
This particular trust signal is future-focused as well, with the upcoming 2026 ISO release having a strong focus on digitisation, helping business leaders incorporate AI, automation and predictive analytics into their business structure seamlessly.
Cloud-Based Services for Centralised Management
Cloud-based solutions are especially beneficial to small businesses because they enable access to powerful software, platforms and services without the need to own the associated infrastructure. Cloud-based software solutions can also be tailored to fit the unique needs of select industries. For example, you can use accounting software to manage sales transactions, streamline your accounts, automate your invoicing process and calculate tax estimates.
Data storage is another process that can be simplified using cloud storage facilities. Storing your data in an online server can help improve database access for employees and facilitate remote work, allowing for centralised management even across a decentralised workforce.
A word of caution though: keep in mind that using cloud services comes with its risks, and you must ensure data security. So alongside investing in cloud solutions for your business, be sure to also invest in robust cybersecurity measures and protocols to better secure your data – even when it’s up in the cloud.
Tailored Digital Marketing to Bolster your Web Presence
Building up your website and wider digital presence is foundational for growth in the digital age. And thankfully for very busy (and maybe less digital-savvy) business owners, you can outsource your growth strategising here to consultants as well – this time to social media and digital marketing consultants.
Web marketing specialists look at your website metrics to measure digital performance (i.e. your page scroll rates, clickthrough rates, conversion rates, etc.). Specialised digital marketing teams may also integrate SEO (search engine optimisation) and digital advertising services to help drive more traffic to your website. If your website is set up to convert site visitors to paying customers, these digital marketing strategies really can pay for themselves by bringing in higher quality leads with less legwork for you and your staff.
Digital marketing is all about utilising the platforms where you’re most likely to find your customers online – be it on Google results pages, in digital directories, in digital publications, and on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. With the right messaging on the right platforms, you can make sure prospective customers find you online and are more inclined to trust you and your brand over your competitors. It’s all about cultivating trust, transparency, and keeping the lines of communication open.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business Automation
We can’t talk about digital transformation investments without touching on the transformative power of AI. Emerging AI technologies can transform the day-to-day operations of businesses in a variety of ways, from producing image assets and even content for your website or socials, to automating basic administrative tasks like auto-sent email marketing or facilitating programmed workflows.
Machine learning (ML) is another aspect of AI that trains machines to analyse large amounts of data and find patterns to make decisions. ML technologies are also now being integrated into cloud solutions for a variety of features, including predicting inventory levels or even forecasting spending patterns and communicating data-based findings in plain English to SaaS users.
Then there’s AI with eyes! Computer vision is an upcoming field of AI which can analyse images and videos through the power of ‘sight’. This feature trains machines to identify manufacturing defects in products or to conduct inventory management.
Complementing these AI tools is Robotic Process Automation, which manages repetitive tasks such as data entry, report generation and answering FAQs. These tools are poised to eliminate the need for human intervention, helping businesses reduce errors, conserve man hours, and enhance productivity.
Given how adaptable AI tech is, these new tools can boast different benefits across different industries and markets – so business owners that are looking to invest in AI should be prepared to experiment. It may take a little trial and error to get your automated systems perfect, but once you do, you’ll undoubtedly be able to save thousands of hours and perhaps even tens of thousands in operational expenses down the line.
Conclusion
According to CPA Australia’s most recent Asia-Pacific Small Business survey, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Australia are underutilising technology. That is particularly concerning, as SMEs famously make up the majority of the Australian business landscape.
This means that small business owners are well-positioned to actually drive innovation when it comes to digital transformation strategising. Right now, digital adoption is still modest across the country, so you’re building on an even playing field. If you’re after a headstart, now is the perfect time. So get out there and establish your business as a key player in your industry’s digital landscape.
