According to studies, 99.9% of businesses in the U.S. fall into the "small" category. That's a massive amount of entrepreneurs making huge strides with relatively few resources. Of course, keeping a business running long-term takes forethought and adaptability. Consider these tips from the Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce to boost your chances of success as a small business owner.

Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is essential in business, whether talking to customers, employees, partners or vendors. Owners should be as honest and open to feedback as possible to ensure they hear the other party's needs. If issues arise, companies should be transparent and provide regular communications about the problem. 

The good news is that technology can assist with clear communication. For example, PDFs are excellent digital tools when working on a project with a partner, such as a professional designer, as you can add drawings, sticky notes, text and highlights with a free editor. So when you’re faced with a project and need a quick and easy tool, why not use an online PDF editor?

Utilize Social Media

Social media is an excellent marketing tool for small businesses since it offers greater returns for relatively little effort. With the right approach, Madison Miles Media explains that you can boost your website traffic while building customer trust. For some enterprises, it makes sense to outsource social media marketing; however, many artisans and crafters can benefit from taking the helm. To get the most out of your campaign, remember these tips:

• Include links to landing pages.

• Focus on platforms with the best results.

• Post consistently.

• Engage with followers.

• Align posts with your brand.

Additionally, don't forget to study analytics to understand what works. Most platforms offer this data so users can see which posts did best, the demographics of followers and how posts perform over time. With this information, you can optimize your social media to gain followers.

Automate

If you're a small business owner, you know how to juggle responsibilities. Automating software can shorten your to-do list, freeing up time and energy for innovation. App Master suggests these excellent tools that automate mundane yet essential tasks:

• Email marketing software

• Notification setting software

• Scheduling software

• Invoice generators

Invest in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a serious matter, as breaches can negatively impact your company, employees and customers. As a small business owner, you can protect your enterprise with a few policies:

• Train employees to recognize phishing attempts.

• Backup your data regularly.

• Have clear security policies.

• Keep all software updated.

• Secure your Wi-Fi.

• Mandate secure passwords.

Track Finances

While you may be able to handle your business finances at first, you'll probably need help as your company grows. Disorganized finances can hurt your enterprise and even lead to legal issues. Even as a small business, you're responsible for a variety of taxes:

• Sales and use

• Property

• Employment

• Income

• Self-employment

Depending on your company's size, financial tracking software may do the trick. However, complicated matters may require an accountant's assistance. Accountants can identify areas of waste, track tax deadlines and free up your day for other concerns.

Get the Right Insurance

Even if you're cautious in the workplace, accidents happen. Sometimes things outside your control, such as natural disasters, put your business in a tight spot. However, the right insurance can help you recover when the worst happens. To avoid paying expenses out of pocket, every business owner should have the following policies:

• Professional liability

• General liability

• Workers compensation

• Commercial property

Look for the Gaps

Running a small business requires a lot of work, but clear communication and automation can make the job easier. Use this list to review what processes you have in place and where you could use automation to make your business run more smoothly. Just a few changes can boost productivity and prepare owners for even greater growth.

If you’re ready to grow your business with the help of great local resources and partnerships, join the Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce.