Small business trends for 2022
This New Year is one of hope, as we slowly leave 2021, the year of partial recovery from the pandemic. Although every year is met with resolutions, new goals and expected change, 2022 needs to be the one your business heeds to! While trends come and go, it is expected that many of these are here to stay!
1. E-commerce businesses will thrive:
E-commerce businesses that sell products and services online is huge. Just watch the news today to see millions have already shopped for Christmas online! Those millions of customer will most likely NEVER walk into an actual store! Great websites, easy to navigate shopping carts along with secure payment options can easily make a customer feel safe shopping from home. If you’re thinking about starting a business, save on the costs of a storefront and open an e-commerce business! Good Social Media & SEO will get a new business active quickly!
2. Remote work will continue to be popular:
Remote work was a direct result of the Pandemic. Employers NEVER thought it would work! Employees will NOT be productive! Nearly half of employees in the USA worked from home in 2021 due to the pandemic, one good thing resulting from a bad situation! In fact, it has been seen as a blessing for many workers.
Remote work has taught employers and employees that offering work-from-home options can:
- Boost productivity
- Attract and retain top talent (anywhere!)
- Improve work-life balance
3. Communication applications will only grow in importance:
During the last 2 years, families, friends and businesses have had to change the way they communicate with one another; REMOTELY! Applications and tools, like video conferencing software and messaging platforms, have been booming since Covid struck in 2020. Making sure you have remotely consulting options between your employees and their customers will be essential in 2022.
Recently, I hear a business coach say the instead of driving 45 minutes to visit a client, she requested they Zoom consult. The client was reluctant at first feeling that they were paying for In-Person consultantions and not getting that benefit. However, within a couple of calls, the fact that the client also had the ability to just "jump-on-line" and have his call, made more sense that juggling workday inconsistancies and "squeezing-in" face to face meetings! The business coach says she now consults exclusively online!
4. Cashless payments will become standard for businesses:
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| Digital Payment Apps |
There was a time when cash was king; No Longer! Cash is one of the dirtiest things on the planet! Touch cash can lead to transmitting bacteria and disease. Businesses also have seen an up-tick in counterfiet money! Cashless payments are all the rage!
Cashless payments can include a variety of payment methods:
- Credit and debit cards
- Mobile or digital wallets (think touch-free technology)
- Payment apps
As more cashless payment options will become available, your business may have examine your choice of processor. Not all cashless payment options are the same! Accepting standard payments like credit/debit cards can be expensive if the merchant just jumps in with their bank, or an unknown online source. Considering cashless payment options is what Merchant Processing Solutions offers its potential merchants when it comes time to pay.
What to look for in a merchant services company:
- Discount Rates based on Interchange Plus Pricing NOT FLAT RATE or BUNDLED RATES!
- No Contract
- Local Customer Service, Installation and Consulting
- Transparency in statements, costs and fees
5. More and more events will be virtual events held online
Virtual events like conferences, meetings, and trade shows are becoming VERY POPULAR as they can help expand your reach and allow for more attendees. Or, hybrid events that are with both in-person and online options. Simple meeting businesses, customers, and employees save both time and create a safe environment for all!
6. Personalized artificial intelligence will become more commonplace
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now part of our business world. This technology helps streamline certain tasks, and it’s going to become even more sought-after in the years ahead. Depending on the type of artificial intelligence your company needs, the technology can help you increase sales, gather customer data, and prevent fraud!
Here are just a few examples of AI in business:
- Chat Rooms on websites and social media
- Smart assistants (e.g., Siri/Goggle/Alexa)
- Facial recognition for Customer Logins on their accounts
- Personalized recommendations - Proprietary Mobile Apps
- Fraud-detection systems - Connected to your PCs, Website and Payment Gateways
- Personalized ads and marketing - Social Media/SEO etc
7. Video marketing will continue to grow in popularity
As a business owner, you must decided based on your loyal customers, what makes them buy your products and services? Video marketing is taking over the advertising work! NOT old school "hollywood" type of videos but consumer filmed videos, testimonials and helpful instructions, tips and ideas to make your product better! (See our example)
Merchant Processing Solutions Inc YouTube Channel
Video marketing offers many perks and opportunities for business owners to reach their potential customer; approximately 84% of people say a brand’s video convinced them to buy a product or service. And 54% of consumers would like to see more video content from a brand like instructions, support and tips! Incorporating videos into your marketing stragegy will be a MUST in 2022! Create real videos and upload them to different platforms, like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube! Create your own YouTube Channel to market your company products and services! Mix it up with instrutional videos, tesitmonials and product introductions!
Merchant Processing Solutions Inc. prides itself on knowing merchant processing trends and overall business trends that will help our merchants grow and thrive in today's volital business world. Consulting with our merchants allows us to better understand their needs and desires and give them the tools to accomplish those goals!
Embrace, grow and thrive in 2022 with
Merchant Processing Solutions Inc.
954-938-2420
