Last Updated on July 9, 2023 by
The small business landscape is always transforming due to major tech changes. And this year is no different. Some trends that have seen the light of day in the past year will continue to increase, while other trends will be relatively new and have a direct impact on the growth and productivity of small businesses. Life is slowly getting back to normal post-pandemic but this global crisis has changed our lifestyle and needs. It also inevitably changes the way we see the world in 2022.
To further understand what 2022 has in store for small business owners, we’ve rounded up a few business and technology trends that will take over the year. Check them out below:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been trending for the past few years. Because, of how flexible and reliable these new technologies are, small business owners are always implementing these solutions into their operations and will continue to do so this year. AI and machine learning play an important role in helping small businesses deliver personalized experiences to their customers. It also helps in automating tasks and saving a ton of time for business owners to shift their focus onto many important things.
- Internet Privacy
We’re seeing a huge increase in the number of organizational and personal cyberattacks happening on a global scale because of digitization. Many companies, small and huge, have been a target of cyberattacks in the past few years because of vulnerabilities. And with increased remote work and limited access to secure resources and technologies, becoming a target of major cyberattacks is inevitable.
While we’ll definitely see more cyberattacks happening across multiple industries, we’ll also these industries defend against cyberattacks by taking strong counteractive measures. Using technologies like AI will make a huge difference in making your business operations safer and easier to manage. AI transforms cybersecurity protocols to become more robust and tough, spot risks, and identify the patterns of cybercriminals to prevent future attacks.
- A Boost in NFT Platforms
NFTs are digital assets – a concoction of data and code that establishes the ownership of the asset. Digital art, virtual real estate, characters, games, wearables, etc. We’re surely going to see NFTs everywhere in 2022. From TV shows and movies to books and online marketplaces, NFTs are becoming mainstream and creating income streams for the public, helping the digital economy. It’s one of the trends that will definitely help shape the economic crisis post-pandemic.
- Sustainable Energy Adoption
The world we’re living in is self-destructing because of the lack of seriousness we have in taking care of the environment. But the news of natural disasters and climate change is urging everyone to lean towards more sustainable energy options available. 2022 is expecting to see some major development and advancement in the energy sector considering the viable cost of sustainable energy adoption nowadays. The cost ensures that mass adoption is plausible. There will also be serious advancements in storage technologies because of their role in storing renewable energy.
- Tech-Powered Shopping
One of the biggest trends we’ve seen in the past 2 years because of the pandemic has to be contactless shopping. When keeping people safe become the top priority, many businesses shifted towards a more high-tech approach. They’re normalizing mobile payments and checkouts with QR codes. These tech-driven solutions are expected to become the new normal for retailers of all sizes.
Almost all small businesses on e-commerce platforms are using mobile payments and contactless transactions to drive their businesses. All you need to make online transactions and mobile payments as smooth as possible is a fast and stable connection that Hargray Internet offers. Get in touch with Hargray customer service and they’ll guide you!
- Remote Onboarding
Most people are seeking remote in today’s time more and more businesses are seen embracing the new model and praising the potential savings they can benefit from. Onboarding is one of the most vital operations of running a business, and small businesses, in particular, rely on technology heavily to handle remote onboarding processes smarter.
We have access to multiple tools and technologies to help us. And small businesses can invest in HR software and technologies that can plan and execute the operation successfully and speed up the work efficiently. Remote work is becoming the new normal in 2022 and investing in technologies that simplify and enhance the onboarding experience is a must!
To Wrap It Up
Small business trends that aspirants and small business owners should watch out for are tech-powered shopping, NFT platforms, remote onboarding, artificial intelligence, and a focus on cybersecurity.
