The business calendar can be congested and changeable. New problems need to be solved daily, but there are some recurring tasks that you should make a point of performing periodically. These make a big difference to how your business functions and can even make it more secure.
#1 Running Updates
Updating your computer systems can seem like a laborious task, but it is essential. Many people groan when their machine prompts them to install updates and restart, but software developers don’t do this for fun. Instead, updates contain crucial patches and security updates, as well as performance tweaks. In addition, cybersecurity is more of a concern than it’s ever been. Attacks are becoming more frequent and more advanced, so you need to stay protected.
Regular updates are essential because online security isn’t static. Hackers evolve their methods daily, and new malware threats are always emerging. Keep your systems up to date and check your security settings too. Firewalls are vitally important. Look at your hosting platform and make sure that it’s running all the latest software. Turning on automatic updates helps but making regular checks a part of your routine ensures that your business is always protected.
#2 Compare and Switch Utilities
Depending on the nature of your business, utility bills can represent a gigantic, recurring expense. Unfortunately, many businesses simply pay those bills without a second thought, presuming that there isn’t much they can do. Comparing utilities every year can lead to big savings, though. It’s always been easy for businesses to switch gas and electricity suppliers when prices climb, and you can now do that for water, too.
Using a service like Business Water Quotes, you can compare prices between different companies and tariffs, often making big savings in the process. Initial savings are usually spectacular but repeat the process every year. Utility companies tend to neglect their long-term customers and save the best deals for new arrivals, so it always pays to keep comparing and keep switching. If you’ve never done this before, then you’re likely on a costly rollover contract.
#3 Clean Your Contact List
Building a large email list is important, and most businesses will amass contacts as they grow. Not all email subscribers will actually read your emails, though. Some will send them straight to junk. Others might have given you an incorrect email, leading to a bounce back. A high bounce rate coupled with low engagement is disastrous. It suggests to email servers that your newsletters are spam, meaning that they won’t even make it into most people’s inboxes.
Fortunately, this is an easy problem to solve. First, schedule a contacts list maintenance check for at least every couple of months. There’s plenty of software available to monitor who opens your emails and even more to track bounce backs. Second, remove any offending addresses from the contact list to ensure that your emails are reaching the right audience. Too many businesses prioritize the number of subscribers over quality, hindering the success of future email campaigns.
