{"id":7730,"date":"2021-02-25T06:13:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-25T11:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=7730"},"modified":"2023-11-02T09:21:16","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T13:21:16","slug":"why-cloud-good-small-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/why-cloud-good-small-business\/","title":{"rendered":"8 reasons why the cloud is good for your small business"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t8 reasons why the cloud is good for your small business\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2021-02-25T06:13:32-05:00\">February 25, 2021<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"8 reasons why the cloud is good for your small business\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/why-cloud-good-small-business\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/author\/owen\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/fr-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/04\/Owen_sage-advice-002.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" height=\"40\" width=\"40\" fetchpriority=\"high\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Owen Sweeney<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In addition to staying ahead of your competitors, the cloud has serious benefits for your business. In these days of remote working conditions for most people, the cloud is central to our ability to perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The cloud offers enhanced security measures, supports remote teams, provides up-to-date information, and enables access from any device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">You are likely already using cloud-based applications to power your business. For example, you might be using:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skype.com\/en\/business\/skype-for-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Skype for Business<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zoom<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gotomeeting.com\/en-ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GoToMeeting<\/a> to hold online meetings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.box.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Box<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/drive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Drive<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/?_hp=c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dropbox<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/products.office.com\/en-us\/onedrive\/onedrive-for-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Microsoft OneDrive<\/a> to store your online documents and files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/\">Sage Business Cloud<\/a> to manage your invoicing, cash flow, and payments across all of your devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trello.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trello<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/basecamp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Basecamp<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/asana.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Asana<\/a> to allocate tasks to each employee and track their work progress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marketing automation software like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hubspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HubSpot<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/mailchimp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mailchimp<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activecampaign.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Active Campaign<\/a> to track and nurture leads.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Here\u2019s how the cloud can save you time, money, and effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Increase in productivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Cloud-based systems ensure your business data is available at any time, and from anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This means you and your employees become more productive and efficient, because you\u2019re not chasing a file that\u2019s located on someone else\u2019s computer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Plus, you can search for what you need much faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <span style=\"color: revert; font-family: var(--secondary-font); font-size: var(--font-size-h2); font-weight: var(--font-weight-black);\">Cost savings<\/span> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">There\u2019s a real economic advantage to adopting cloud systems. While on-site hardware and software required for physical data storage is costly to install and maintain, the cloud offers a budget-friendly solution for business owners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">You\u2019ll likely pay a small set monthly subscription for a cloud-based app, with customized packages designed to fit a small business budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Plus, many cloud-based tools are designed to serve multiple functions\u2014making it even more cost-effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <span style=\"color: revert; font-family: var(--secondary-font); font-size: var(--font-size-h2); font-weight: var(--font-weight-black);\">Secures your data<\/span> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">You don\u2019t need to worry about your sensitive business data sitting on a server in an unlocked room and protected by an easy-to-crack password. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Cloud-based providers take security to a much higher level with secured data centers, encryption, authentication, and other security measures. If you still worry, put protocols in place to change your passwords every month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <span style=\"color: revert; font-family: var(--secondary-font); font-size: var(--font-size-h2); font-weight: var(--font-weight-black);\">Collaborate remotely<\/span> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Sharing information online can improve productivity and efficiency for business owners\u2014 especially those now working with remote teams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Like the apps mentioned earlier, there are cloud-based solutions for every business activity, from project management tools to customer relationship management (CRM) systems to accounting systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Most solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with other online services for improved collaboration and customer service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. <span style=\"color: revert; font-family: var(--secondary-font); font-size: var(--font-size-h2); font-weight: var(--font-weight-black);\">Files are updated in real-time<\/span> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Wonder if you are using the most recent file? When you update your files, they\u2019re synched across all devices that are using the cloud application. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">With cloud-based data you always know you\u2019re looking at the latest version of a document in real time, helping to minimize errors when file sharing with a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. <span style=\"color: revert; font-family: var(--secondary-font); font-size: var(--font-size-h2); font-weight: var(--font-weight-black);\">Improved business continuity<\/span> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Should a physical disaster strike, your data remains safe and sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">For example, if you suffered a fire in your premises or theft of your devices, your business data would remain safe in the cloud. You could run your business from alternate devices without interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. <span style=\"color: revert; font-family: var(--secondary-font); font-size: var(--font-size-h2); font-weight: var(--font-weight-black);\">Room to grow<\/span> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Cloud-based storage can scale up instantly, so you don\u2019t need to worry about running out of space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. <span style=\"color: revert; font-family: var(--secondary-font); font-size: var(--font-size-h2); font-weight: var(--font-weight-black);\">Phase in your operations to the cloud<\/span> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Look over your business operations to identify functions or processes that could be made simpler with an online app. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Then, do some online research to find an app capable of performing those functions, read customer reviews, make sure the price is affordable and when you\u2019re ready, begin a free trial to test it out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">It\u2019s best to switch one area of your business at a time to the cloud so you and your team can adjust. Take advantage of free customer training offered by most app companies to help decrease your learning time.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to our Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get our latest business advice delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-ab515c6e-7e90-4c2f-a67e-113872516e8b\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working from home with tea in hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In addition to staying ahead of your competitors, the cloud has serious benefits for your business. In these days of remote working conditions for most people, the cloud is central to our ability to perform. The cloud offers enhanced security measures, supports remote teams, provides up-to-date information, and enables access from any device. You are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":737,"featured_media":7666,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[334,399,346],"business_type":[40],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[55,54],"persona":[96,97],"imagine_tag":[209,215,230,231],"coauthors":[762],"class_list":["post-7730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology-innovation","tag-automation","tag-business-continuity","tag-cloud-technology","business_type-small-business","industry-professional-services","industry-retail"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-us","author_name":"Owen Sweeney","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/11\/Sage100.jpg","imagine_tags":{"209":"Accounting","215":"HR and Payroll","230":"Small business","231":"Start up business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice US","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/737"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7730\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/7666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=7730"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=7730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}