Your Small Business: 3 Tech Trends for 2023
If you're looking for a quick read about what technological trends small businesses should look out for in 2023, you're in the right spot. To help your business succeed and grow in the next year, here's a look at 3 trending tech areas that could prove helpful.
Expanding, More Accessible AI. The hype over AI isn't going to end any time soon, says strategic business and technology advisor Bernard Marr in a Forbes blog.
"In practice, AI is central to emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, virtual assistants, and ubiquitous recommendation engines found across entertainment services, online retailers, and social media, among many other applications," says a Deloitte Insights blog.
Marr admits that AI permeates every aspect of our daily lives, including how we conduct online searches, shop online, navigate while traveling, choose our own entertainment, organize our schedules, and perform numerous other creative and ordinary tasks.
"The maturing ecosystem of no-code AI solutions and as-a-service platforms will continue to make it more accessible," he writes.
"With technology infrastructure and (to some extent) budget no longer a hard barrier to entry, those with good ideas will be able to create new AI-enhanced products and services which simplify or enhance our lives."
More Tech Platforms. The use of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is the most common technology for U.S. small businesses, according to information made public by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The organization added that trend is predicted to continue in the next year.
Nearly all businesses (93 percent) told the survey they use at least one technology platform. Further, the Chamber says in a post about the study: "Small businesses plan to continue to increase investments in their use of technology platforms across their business in the next two to three years."
QR Codes. Increased use of QR codes is among the tech cited in advertising trends for small businesses in 2023.
"From Super Bowl ads for crypto companies to funny-looking square stickers on the center of restaurant tables, QR codes simplify mobile engagement like few other marketing tools," says Richard Fong, CEO and founder of Disability Help.
"This all adds up to some powerful marketing potential, especially for small businesses," he says in a Forbes post.
For example, landscapers could slap a sticker on the back of their trailer with a QR code that's large enough to capture from a couple of car lengths back, Fong adds.
"Prospects just point their phone cameras and tap the screen to be transported to a landing page where they can schedule a free estimate," Fong explains. "QR codes can even be stored on a phone to make it easier to share a scheduling page, professional portfolio or contact form."
Why Tech Is Important to Your Small Business
Small businesses that incorporate technology are more likely to see growth in their sales, profits and employment, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce study reported.
"The use of technology that American small business owners have weathered cascading economic storms over the past five years," the Chamber says, noting the Covid pandemic, supply chain disruptions, staffing shortages, inflation, etc.
"But through these challenges, small business owners have found paths to resilience in part due to the edge provided by the technology platforms that empower efficiency, access to customers, deep insights, and the ability to thrive," the Chamber said.
"This technology-enabled success has made meaningful contributions to communities and the broader U.S. economy."