5 Ways to Use the Cloud in Your Small Business

Cloud computing can help you do more with less

Cloud computing illustration showing the interconnections of separate cloud servers.
KTSDESIGN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images

The cloud refers to a centralized location on the internet that stores data, making it accessible anytime, anywhere, from any connected device. Businesses—both large and small—have embraced the cloud because it has a number of benefits. Financial institutions and banks also use cloud services as the reach and serve an evermore global customer base.

The cloud-based business allows workers and customers to interact on a regular basis, even if they are on opposite sides of the globe.

Small Business Cloud File Storage

Cloud storing files—instead of on-site—can save a significant amount of money in hardware costs. People have access to and can work with documents they don't have in their personal possession.

Saving and accessing files on the cloud is easy, making it an attractive option, even for nontechnical small business owners.

Flexibility and Automation

The cloud and the way you use it can grow and change as your business needs grow and change. Instead of having to invest in information technology to keep your file storage system updated and maintained, most applications that use the cloud automatically update themselves.

Of course, there also are negatives to using the cloud. Security of data and loss of complete control over that data are serious concerns. However, there are ways to protect your data to ensure it remains accessible and secure at all times. In most cases, the benefits far outweigh the risks for small business owners. Also, if anything should happen to files stored on one cloud server—like a massive power outage—you can still access the information stored there through other servers.

Here are some of the ways small businesses can use the cloud. Review this list and how it applies to your business as you explore how the cloud can help you use technology to do more with less.

Data Backup

As a small business owner, you probably are already aware of the importance of backing up your data. The Cloud simplifies the process by allowing your data to update as you work automatically. It also creates copies of your data off-site where it will be safe from any local natural disaster, theft, or malfunction.

Mobile Working

One of the great benefits of technology is the ability for small business owners to create fully functional mobile offices. The cloud fits in perfectly with this because it allows you to access and sync your data from wherever you are, allowing you to take your office with you on the road.

Information Sharing

Whether you have in-house staff or a team spread across a distance, the cloud makes sharing data effortlessly. Once you have your data backed up, sharing files can be as easy as sending a link, eliminating the cumbersome process of emailing large files.

File Storage

Many small businesses use images, audio, and video to enhance their marketing activities. These files often take up a significant part of your hard drive space, which can be costly. The cloud allows you to shift the storage of large files off of your local system, saving local storage for the files you need to access every day.

Growth Planning

The cloud is scalable, so it allows small businesses to create a plan for growth that utilizes the benefits of the cloud without a significant up-front investment. You can start small and gradually increase your usage over time, paying only for the services and access you need. The cloud is also self-managed by the apps that provide the services, so you can eliminate or reduce the need for an in-house IT staff to manage your technology.

Small business owners who want to reduce costs without sacrificing their ability to do business and compete with larger companies are using the cloud. If you are ready to put the cloud to work for your business, you can start small, so you can see the benefits without making major changes to your operations. Over time, you will discover new ways to use and benefit from the cloud.