In today's economy, it's more important than ever for small businesses to find ways to grow and stay competitive. Thankfully, there are a number of ways that small businesses can use digital innovation to their advantage. Here are just a few examples from the Derby Chamber of Commerce.

Online Project Management Tools

One way that small businesses can use digital innovation to their advantage is by using online project management tools. These tools allow businesses to track progress on projects, assign tasks to team members, and set deadlines. By using these tools, businesses can ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

There are many online project management tools available to small business owners. Some of these tools include Asana, Trello, and Google Drive. Asana is a great tool for managing tasks and projects. Trello is a great tool for managing boards and cards related to project workflow. Google Drive is a great tool for managing files and folders, and it's free to use. However, there are dozens of highly-rated options on the market, so if you take some time to research tools that provide the exact solution you're looking for, you're bound to find one that meets your needs and budget.

Data Analysis

Another way that digital innovation can help small businesses is through data analysis. By analyzing data, businesses can optimize their processes and make better decisions. For example, data analysis can be used to determine which marketing campaigns are most effective or which products are selling the most.

Cloud Computing

Another way that digital innovation can help small businesses is by converting to cloud computing. Cloud computing allows businesses to store data and applications remotely. This can save businesses money on hardware and maintenance costs. Additionally, cloud computing can provide businesses with greater flexibility and scalability. 

As a bonus, it's much easier to stay organized as a company when your files are digitally stored rather than lying around as hard copies in multiple places. It definitely pays to digitize your paper files into PDFs for better file management. Not only that, PDFs are easy to keep secure, and their file sizes are manageable. They can be edited, too. Unclear on how to edit a PDF? There’s a tool to help with this!

Mobile Apps

Another way that digital innovation can help small businesses is by creating a mobile app. Mobile apps allow businesses to reach a larger audience and provide customers with another way to interact with their business. Additionally, mobile apps can be used for loyalty programs and push notifications.

AI

Finally, another way that digital innovation can help small businesses is by using AI or artificial intelligence. AI can be used for a variety of tasks, such as customer service, marketing, and product recommendations. Additionally, AI can be used to automate tasks, which can save businesses time and money.

There are a number of AI options available to small business owners. The most popular option is chatbots, which allow business owners to communicate with customers via a chat interface. Chatbots are powered by artificial intelligence and can be used to answer customer questions, provide product information, and even take orders. Other AI options for small businesses include virtual assistants, which can help owners manage their schedules and tasks, and machine learning platforms, which can help businesses analyze data and make better decisions.

These are just a few examples of how digital innovation can help small businesses grow. By utilizing these tools, small businesses can level the playing field and compete with larger companies.