This applies mostly to the non-tech savvy population who is just about to start their journey in the business world. Unlike the tech-savvy people in the competition, if you are starting now with zero knowledge, you have to do a lot of keeping up. It might be difficult to adjust to the digital processes in business management, but it is not impossible to learn.
Why is it important to learn how the internet works? Well, primarily because the internet is a site where you conduct business nowadays. The competition has moved online. There is probably only a handful of businesses that don’t have Facebook pages or do not advertise online. At the same time, the Internet makes work and practices get done faster and easier through the help of software and online services.
The Internet will be here forever and if you want your business to keep up with the times, then start investing time in learning how to handle the online aspects of the business. You don’t need a lot, just your phone, a working computer or laptop, an internet connection, and a lot of patience.
Table of Contents
What are the main digital processes you have to learn?
Business Analysis and Research
The most basic use of the Internet is for research. You key in a question on a Google search bar and you get an answer. And as far as business is concerned, the foundation of your business should be backed up by research.
You have to study your target customers, your competition, and the saturation of the market. You can do this easily on the Internet. Simply type in the service you want to offer and your location. The results will show all your competition. You can even learn about how much they sell their product or service without leaving your seat.
You can also learn about the latest trends in your industry through social media as well as learn more about your target customers. You can use all this information to help you plan your business better and guide your decisions.
Online accounting and bookkeeping
Managing your finances means you have to keep track of where your money is going and how much you are earning. You can do this the old-school way with ledgers, calculators, and record books. However, digital encoding makes everything easier.
With the help of easy-to-learn software solutions like Excel sheets, your financial records will be easy to track. You don’t have to use calculators anymore because the computations are digital. You just have to learn how to use the proper operations. It just gets tricky because you will be dealing with a lot of codes.
A huge learning curve will definitely be there but you just have to spend time familiarizing yourself with the interface. In the advanced world, using excel is actually considered a bit outdated. There are cloud-based software solutions that help you manage your book-keeping and accounting needs. Some of these solutions focus on invoicing and payroll management.
Online marketing
The financial goal of every business is to make as many sales as possible. If the majority of the population is online, then it’s only smart to do your marketing online.
You don’t need to be an expert at this because the beauty of the Internet is that there are services that cater to your marketing needs. But, as you start, you should at least be able to understand how Facebook Ads work, how to create your content, and how to engage your target customers.
You are not expected to create your own website, although you can. However, understanding how online advertising works and why it is needed will help you come up with data-driven decisions for your business. You have to promote your services and products. And you can give flyers or create billboards to spread the word, but online advertising is a necessity; it is not just a mere option.
Graphic design
The best way to communicate with your target customers is through design. Design communicates better than words when it comes to advertising. Again, you don’t have to be an expert at this. However, learning the basic principles of design will help you understand how to go about marketing campaigns.
You can actually just watch videos online on the psychology of design, how certain lines evoke emotions, how it captures attention, and so on. Since this aspect is one of the factors that affect your branding and recall, you have to pay extra attention to how your business is advertised through design.
Equipping yourself with these skills before you start your own business will make your journey smoother. Having these skills will help you become a better business owner.