TECH IS ONE area where SMEs can make big wins – as smaller businesses are more agile and able to adapt, it means they can take on new tools rapidly and use them to their advantage in a way a big organisation can’t.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best tech tools that every small business should have in their arsenal. We’ve also included instructional videos for each tool to help you get to grips with them.

If you’re a small business owner and have any further suggestions, we’d love to hear them in the comments.

1. Stripe

A quick electronic payment add-on for websites and apps. They’ve recently added Radar to their suite of products for businesses, which is a tool integrated into the platform geared towards preventing fraud. Check it out here.

2. Google Hangouts

If your colleagues or customer base aren’t nearby, Google Hangouts is the ideal way to connect with them and cut down on expensive travel costs. For smaller business, Hangouts being so cheap is a major boon – there’s no need to shell out for expensive webinair software for conference calls. While it’s handy for private meetings, it can also be used to broadcast live events too.

3. DocuSign

DocuSign is ideal for people with a hectic schedule, who need to do things on mobile as they travel around. Basically, the app enables you to legally sign and return documents in the blink of an eye with a few taps on your smartphone. Secure and efficient, which is just what you need.

4. Unbounce

This one is dead handy if you’re running a business without a dedicated IT bod on hand. Unbounce lets you create and test landing pages without the need for a developer (sorry guys). It helps you create landing pages that will genuinely convert and reduce bounce rates. We guess the hint is in the name on that one.

5. LastPass

In this day and age, it’s already a trek remembering your personal passwords. Adding in the level of security that a business requires, and your head may be spinning just a tad. Introducing LastPass - a tool that takes care of all of your passwords and security details, and can even create and log them for you too.

6. GetFeedback

And finally, GetFeedback is a helping hand for the key battle ground that is customer service for SMEs. Gain insights into your customer base and figure out where you’re winning and where improvements could be made with these handy surveys – including that all-important NPS.

And speaking of tech savvy for businesses… From June 1 next year, B1, B2, B10 and B73 forms can only be submitted electronically to the Companies Registration Office. This improves accuracy on forms, reduces send-backs and improves processing times – and it’s just €20 to do. For more information, visit our website at core.cro.ie.  Cheaper, smarter, simpler.