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10 Ways Cloud-Based Solutions Necessary For Business Growth

In the past few years, a dramatic surge has been witnessed in the number of companies who opted for a cloud-based solution to leverage their business. The ubiquity of mobile devices and broadband internet access have made cloud computing a viable alternative for businesses worldwide.

The technology that started with using applications on local machines slowly transitioned to hosting the same on remote cloud location. In fact, several studies suggest that businesses which adopted cloud-based solutions experienced around 20% growth over competitors who are non-cloud computing users.

Cloud-based solutions are computing services offered to businesses to facilitate data storage, access to web-based applications, easy backup, remote work facilitation, automatic syncing, etc. Here are the 10 Ways Cloud-Based Solutions Necessary For Business Growth.


There are three layers in cloud computing – Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Applications/Software as a Service (SaaS). Gradually, cloud based-solutions are becoming the new normal because it provides businesses the opportunity to small businesses to access high-end technologies, that were earlier restricted for use by large IT companies only.


Cloud-based solutions are the ultimate tool that contributes to the cash flow, productivity and efficiency of your business, and some of them let you save money as well. Additionally, there are many more advantages of cloud-based solutions for a business, and we will take you through all of them one by one.

Improved Cybersecurity

For companies that store their data at the local level, lost laptops and storage devices could cause a major problem, and the cost a company would have to incur to recover all this cost is huge.

However, companies which opt for cloud computing can store all the data in the cloud, which makes it easier to retrieve data whenever necessary, without worrying about a storage device or machine.

Easily Scalable

Cloud services offer the option to increase or decrease resources as per requirement. If you are an eCommerce business that is growing rapidly, you need to scale-up your services in order to accommodate more traffic and users, by using the cloud platform.

When there is no requirement, you can reduce the resources by scaling-down. Operational flexibility is the most important feature of cloud computing that benefits thousands of businesses.

Easy Disaster Recovery

In order to survive in today’s digital world, there is no doubt that businesses need to thrive on disaster recovery strategies and an active data backup to protect the valuable assets of the company. Whether there is a power failure, natural disaster, or any other crisis occurs, your data would be stored in the cloud.

Therefore, there is no threat of data loss, as it has been stored in a safe and secure location. Generally, it is difficult for small businesses to afford expensive on-premise disaster recovery systems. In this situation, the role of cloud-based storage solutions comes into play.

Access To The Best Technologies


Access to some state-of-the-art tools and technologies is one of the biggest advantages of cloud computing, as earlier, it was only limited to the large companies. Today, even small businesses can compete with the bigger organizations and disrupt the market successfully.

Enhanced Efficient Collaboration

With the introduction of collaboration in cloud computing, businesses are able to mingle across  geographical or organizational borders, and people belonging to different teams can edit, upload, or access the same data and documents from anywhere and at any time.

Therefore, virtually there is a real-time collaboration, which ensures that teams iterate more efficiently and complete their deliverables quickly. Collaboration within the team members is a critical foundation of business success, and as the remote workforce continues to grow, cloud computing is an effective solution.

Increased Cost-Effectiveness

Opting for a cloud-based solution means that you pay for only the resources that are utilized, instead of investing on expensive hardware.

Choosing a pay-as-you-go plan helps in reducing infrastructure and operational costs as you do not have to buy or maintain networking equipment, processing power, or extra physical storage. The ease with which a cloud infrastructure can be set up by automating processes, makes it more business friendly.

They Are Environment-Friendly

Adopting a cloud-based solution is seen as an environmentally friendly practice by socially responsible organizations, rather than investing in on-site servers. Contrary to their on-site server counterparts, cloud-based solutions require less space and infrastructure.

Switching to cloud-based solutions means that there would be more efficient operations, less manufacturing of hardware, and minimal discard or recycling of hardware.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

Companies that use cloud computing platforms to scale-up or scale-down their resources, only the server capacity needs to be changed. Since a certain part of the energy is used in this process, the chances of leaving large carbon footprints gets reduced to an extent. This would not have been possible if the cloud computing platforms were not developed.

Ability To Launch New Products

Unlike the traditional software development cycle, in which the product has to go through a long and time-consuming process of going back and forth amongst development, cloud computing has made the cycle more efficient.

Developers do not have to worry about infrastructure demands or maintenance, rather they can concentrate on testing, building, and deploying the application. In fact, updating and releasing new versions frequently, empowers workers to be more productive as enhancements in software can offer immediate upgrades to existing features.

Expand To New Markets

Earlier, businesses had to hire a physical office space, and rely on a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to set up the infrastructure of your firewall or network. However, with businesses going virtual, and no requirement to rent an office space, all you need to do is train your employees on how to use their existing cloud infrastructure. This approach can help you save your money, which can be used in strategic initiatives, marketing, sales, or venture into a new market.

As you could see, with cloud-based solutions, businesses get access to a host of benefits that traditional solutions can’t provide.

However, with the rise in the adoption of cloud computing solutions, studies also state that organizations have started reporting doubts regarding the security of cloud-based solutions.

They are looking forward to resolving these compliance and security worries by extending the organization’s policies to data in the cloud. This would enable more organizations to benefit from the advantages that cloud computing services can offer.

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Business

4 Ways That Cheap Data Backup Solutions Fail Your Business

A business’s data such as different types of files, digital assets, and customer histories are its lifeblood. In case any of them is lost, it can cripple the enterprise.

A perfect example to understand the situation would be imagining yourself walking into your home and all of a sudden flipping on the light switch. In such a case, having a spare bulb or at least one candle would be helpful in brightening your home.

It is the same situation with regard to the risk small businesses take in terms of their data backup processes. There are a lot of things to worry about already in a business and losing your data should not add to it. Henceforth, getting a trustable data backup solution is imperative.

To cut down costs, most businesses opt for a cheap backup system or even none at all. Though cheap backup systems can be a viable option for small businesses, there are possibilities that they might fail you when you need them the most. Therefore, it is not just enough to back up your data, but rather ensure that it is secure by investing in reliable backup services.

While choosing a backup solution, business owners have to carefully consider all the options with a bit of foresight. Ask yourself, “If a cyberattack occurs, what would be my response to it? How can I recover it?

How much productivity would be lost and the cost for it?” That’s when the picture gets clearer. Before investing in a cheap data backup solution, it is essential to know the system’s pitfalls as they can affect your business. Here are the ways in which your business can fail when investing in a cheap data backup solution.

File Sync does not ensure backup

Cheap data backup solutions do not assure data backup definitely, rather they have their files synchronized on a separate platform. This implies that they generate a mirror image of the data instead of fully replicating vital files in another physical space.

For instance, even if you accidentally delete an original file or if it is infected or corrupted, the file sync is also going to erase it, or the affected file is replicated on your file sync, respectively.

However, there are certain freemium backup systems that permit you to keep your deleted files in a recycle bin for up to 30 days.

If you opt for a quality backup system, it would store snapshot images of the file system so that they can be restored during hours of need. You can recover a file when you realize that a vital file was somehow lost a few weeks ago.

It is advisable that you do not rely on file sync for your entire backup solution, but rather as great support. In case your computer gets lost or a file gets corrupted or there was an unintentional content edit, file synchronization comes as a great help.

An ideal backup strategy does not restrict you to what the sync tools allow, rather it would add software that is exclusive to backing up. You get the freedom to decide how many revisions of a file to keep and receive a separate path to restore files that are in use almost every day.

Bandwidth is expensive

An average small to mid-sized business needs storage of at least 5 TB so that it can store business-critical information in its backups. To have a backup option, businesses need to upload their data through an internet connection.

Receiving high upload speeds is an expensive affair because businesses often have asymmetrical internet speeds. It would not be possible for them to understand the time required to upload 5 TB of data to their cheap backup.

It would take at least five days to upload data on a cheap backup solution even at an upload speed of 100 Mb per second. Think wisely before investing in fast upload speeds as there are other factors like marketing, support, distribution, and an overhead of development that are to be taken care of.

Cyber threats


If you do not have a well-rounded backup plan, you can be subject to cyber-attacks. This can be dangerous, whereas having a proper licensed backup offers options in planning which is not guaranteed in cheap data backup solutions.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to backup or cybersecurity, so a cheap data backup solution won’t serve the purpose alone.

You should also consider opting for an internet or cloud backup, or a physical, offline backup. This would restrict outsiders from invading your data as they would not get the access to your data backup through the internet.

Limited data restoration issues

One of the most important aspects of a data backup is the fact that it can be restored. There are not many options for testing backups and it can be extremely time-consuming. In fact, opting for a cheap backup software might not offer the choice of programmatic restoration testing.

In case of an incident where your company’s backup fails to restore, there is no point in having a data backup solution to begin with. It is not just the reputation of your brand that is of utmost importance in maximizing profits.

Taking care of regulatory and compliance issues is also important as negating a potential litigation can even lead to a loss of data. If you get your data backup system tested, it means that all your necessary information is not just captured successfully, but it implies that the file is not corrupted.

You won’t be able to know of any potential hiccups beforehand if you do not conduct a thorough testing of your backups first.

Here is how you can carry out your verification test for your data backup to ensure efficient restoration.

  • Dedicate 30 minutes to 5+ hours to scan backup for viruses before restoration.
  • If an isolated lab environment is already there, spend 30-60 minutes to restore backup in this setting.
  • After restoring backups, scan them for viruses (this might take 30 minutes to 5+ hours).
  • Test integrity of operating system, databases, and data, applications (2-10 hours).
  • Take a note of your findings and prepare a report out of it (time will vary).

If you are looking out for file-sharing and collaboration services, cheap backup systems would be your go-to solution. However, that is not a primary backup solution for a business.

This is due the fact that there is no protection of sensitive data and a risk of data loss due to the attack of cyber criminals. This could cost a business more money over the long term. Therefore, go for a more comprehensive backup plan if you are serious about ensuring continuity of your data and securing them.

ALSO READ : This is How to Improve Your Brand Presence

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Business

This is How to Improve Your Brand Presence

Whenever a company builds a product, what is the next step? To let everyone know that it exists! This is the essence of brand awareness. But, there is more to it. The company’s brand represents a lot more than the logo.

It stands witness to the potential and the services it has to offer to the world. Besides, a strong brand presence can make any business stand apart and keep them ahead of the competition.

Whenever we talk about building a brand presence for an online business, it is a major step indeed. Online enterprises mostly attract customers through lucrative offers and a trustworthy reputation. A shady brand rep can destroy a business to its very ground level.

Are you a budding entrepreneur? If the answer is yes, this article is for you! Read ahead to build a strong brand presence and stand out from the rest.

What is brand presence?

The Brand presence or brand awareness is a term that acknowledges the extent of a company’s reputation in the market. The potential customers can associate brand presence either with the brand or the product they offer.

However, a brand may not reach the pinnacle, but its products may be deeply rooted in the minds of the customers. What does this mean? Well, this could mean consumers have a clear image of what your business is offering, or they may pick your brand over others even if they offer cheaper solutions, etc.


Brand Presence vs Brand Recognition: What is the difference?

Whenever you talk about building your brand, you will probably come across another term,“ brand recognition”. Aren’t they the same? This is where budding entrepreneurs often make a mistake. While both brand recognition and presence preach to the same choir, they are quite different by definition.

Brand recognition is the marker that refers to the extent customers can recognize your brand through logos and colors. For example, you would be able to make out a Domino’s outlet without even reading the words, just by associating the brand with the logo or the colors.

On the other hand, brand presence or awareness takes the essence of brand recognition to a new level. It is based on associating your brand with the products or services you offer.

It provides a general feeling of the enterprise, including products, etc. Brand awareness is mostly done through marketing campaigns, advertising, etc. which incite feelings of emotions among the consumers.

Why is it important?    

The quality of the product, marketing strategies, etc. is surely an integral part of the business infrastructure. But, it is not the wheels of the operation that takes you to the top.

A company without brand awareness will not go far. In addition, brand presence is a significant step of the marketing funnel that builds your name in the business world and has the immaculate power to set it apart from the competition.

But, wait! That’s not enough. Embedding the brand into the consumer’s mind is the holy grail for success. The more customers associate a brand with something, the more they shift their focus toward it.

As they familiarize themselves more with your brand, it becomes quite easier to promote an enterprise across various channels, have successful product launches, gain a trustworthy reputation, and attract and retain more customers.

3 best ways to build a strong brand presence –

Building brand presence can pave the way for small businesses to reach their goals easily. It not only generates more leads but also promises a lasting impression on your consumer base.

So, how can one simply build a strong brand presence that attracts success? Here are some of the best ways you can incorporate to ensure a strong brand presence!

Influencer Marketing –

Influencer Marketing


Influencers have taken social media by storm. Agree or not, they have dominated social media platforms for years. They hold a strong connection with the people, especially consumers. This can be a great way to boost your brand and generate leads.

They are great and a trustworthy way to sway the audience and gravitate them toward a brand. However, it should not be your only strategy since many consumers still choose to believe in retails.

Collaborating with established companies –

Big companies that dominate the market have spent enough time to create loyalty and a strong brand presence among the customer base. Budding businesses require to build trust to boost their sales.

Partnering with big names that emit strong trust signals among the customers can be a great way to pave your way to the market. Customers will easily be swayed by their words and would consider looking into your product or services.

A strong background –

A strong background story speaks a lot about your company. The vision, mission, etc are the foundation that can contribute to building a strong brand presence.

Feeling perplexed? Well, you can begin by asking yourself “How can my business help someone?” What is the type of audience I want to attract?” A strong business story should resonate with the audience and sieve out the target consumers, which will help you attract them to your business and use brand recognition to associate your products or services creating a strong brand awareness.

Conclusion –

Our takeaway? If you have the opportunity to partner with established businesses or famous influencers, go for it without a thought. However, words from big names will surely get you some business, but that is not enough.

A strong brand presence is built on loyalty, quality products, etc. Make sure transparency is a big part of your business journey which will allow potential customers to put their faith in your brand.

If you have an online business, building a brand presence is very important. Influencers can go a long way in this case, but incorporating customer testimonials can be a benchmark since it can be a deciding factor for attracting and retaining customers.

Whatever your business infrastructure is, it is crucial to have a personal connection with your customer base and have a strong story that resonates with them.

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Business

Top 5 Benefits of Google Workspace for Your Online Business

With the advent of Google, we have experienced a whole new change in the world of networking. Similarly, if you are an entrepreneur looking to jumpstart your business online, you are probably looking for Google resources to back you up.

While there are a lot of resource toolkits that you can choose from, picking the right option may be a very important step for business growth.

Looking for affordable, quality resources? Well, Google Workspace is your holy grail, and we are here to help you to get the hang of it! This article brings you a vivid insight into everything you need to know about Google Workspace.

What is Google Workspace?

Powered By Google, it is a productivity resource kit that brings the best tools from Google including Calendar, Docs, Slides, Drive, Gmail, Forms, Currents, etc.

under a single dashboard. While you may find a certain resemblance with its predecessor, G Suite, it surely is an upgrade and brings more opportunities for businesses online.


How much does Google Workspace cost?


You may find a lot of Google services for free. However, when you are considering taking your business to the next step, Google Workspace is there to help, but with a price. Depending on your business requirements, there are some packages that you can choose.

Google primarily offers four packages that have different features depending on your business requirements. The basic or the Business Starter package is available only for $1.64.

The most popular Business Standard package is priced at $8.80. You can also pick an upgrade or the Business Plus plan, which is available for $16.51. For entrepreneurs, you can contact sales and decide on the Enterprise package and get the price quote.

Whatever you decide to choose, Google Workspace offers you the bare minimum. Hence, you can always expect to get a custom and secure business email address, video meetings, cloud storage, and customer support. Although, you can choose to have more advanced features or choose upgraded plans to suit your needs.


Why did Google introduce Workspace?

The work culture dynamic has seen a drastic change over the years. In addition, the rising demand for remote offices has changed the corporate culture entirely.

It has created a space, and Google with its high-end deep integration strategy attempted to create a digital workspace for businesses. With some G Suite features still in action, Google incorporated more features to come up with a handy resource kit to help businesses carry out their operations without a hassle.

The main objective of creating Google Workspace is to encourage a safe corporate space for both remote and in-office employees across various industries. In addition, it aims to bring every branch of a business together, especially while working remotely.


What can you expect from Google Workspace?


If you are planning to purchase a Google Workspace plan, you can surely expect a lot of features. Unlike the traditional user experience, it includes a lot of advanced features which suit almost every enterprise in any industry.

Google Workspace looks forward to deep integration that brings all the aspects of a business together. Hence, you can find all the options such as video calling, messenger, etc. all in one place to promote collaboration and encourage a better customer experience.

Besides, the link preview option is another blessing that has helped enterprises immensely. Instead of handling hundreds of tabs on your browser, you can simply hover your mouse on a link on an Excel sheet, or Google Docs and preview it without clicking on it.


Top 5 benefits of Google Workspace for online business!

Google WorkSpace


Google Workspace is your best bet to have the best resources to grow your business online. With ever-changing business dynamics, Google Workspace provides a dedicated resource toolkit that addresses problems and provides relevant solutions to keep businesses ahead of the competition. But that’s not all!

When you choose to work with Google Workspace, you can expect a lot more! Here are some of the major benefits of Google Workspace and how it can help online businesses.

Email support


Gmail has been at the top of the list for years. Why not? Its world-class spam protection and advanced features have always been a favorite among various businesses or enterprises. With a Google Workspace subscription, you can have more Gmail features along with smart replies and a custom email domain.

Apart from that, Google Workspace also offers labels, which is a fantastic feature to organize your communications. Unlike traditional emails, you can add labels that give a professional approach and flexibility.


Compact and Connected

Instead of looking for Google features separately, integrating Google Workspace into business operations can improve connection and is a compact solution for enterprises everywhere.

Apart from the basic features, you can get features like Gmail, Google meets, chat, calendar, drive, keep, etc under a single umbrella that is easy to access and contains advanced features. This surely transforms the entire Google experience and gives a much more corporate approach.

Easy Collaboration

Google Workspace ingeniously integrates productivity tools into one. This encapsulated solution increases flexibility since enterprises can use this feature to shift from one option to another without any hassle. This has made working as a team remotely easier than ever.


Easy Availability

Google Workspace applications are web-based, hence they are easily available and compatible with any device and web browser.

It spares users from downloading bulk programs to support these applications. Besides, these applications are readily available on major platforms including iOS and Android.


 Conclusion


Google Workspace is the right step towards a successful business. Well, we are not saying it! The advanced features and support are a step ahead and are a better option to predict the upcoming changes in the business.

However, if you’re new to this, you should contact the sales department or opt for a consultation before choosing a plan. Taking the right decision right from the start results in a strong business infrastructure.

What are you waiting for? Get your online business going today with Google today!