As the economy struggles, many small business owners are looking to improve their efficiency and increase their profits. Although there are plenty of ideas in books and articles about improving your company’s efficiency, it’s essential to consider other cost-saving strategies. Here are creative and effective ways to save for your small business.
- Going Paperless
A way to improve efficiency of your company is by going paperless. This method eliminates the need for paper and allows you to save time and money by scanning documents.
- Use A 0% Credit Card Balance Transfer
You can consolidate all your debts into one credit card and lower your interest charges by transferring the balance to a 0% intro APR card. For instance, if you have a $5k balance on a credit card with a 17% interest rate, transferring the balance to a card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months would save you around $862 in interest.
- Try Leasing Equipment
If you’re planning on investing in equipment, leasing it can be a great way to avoid the high upfront costs you would typically face. In addition to conserving your company’s cash, leasing equipment can help you save on repairs and maintenance.
- Get Cash in Advance
It would help if you considered collecting a portion of the money that customers pay in advance to help improve the company’s cash flow and reduce risk. For instance, you can require customers to pay a 25% down payment when making purchases.
- Take Advantage of Discounts
Suppliers often have quantity discounts of up to 50%, depending on the terms of the contract. Ask your partners about their discounts and requirements to take advantage of these deals. You can also get various credit cards and loans with low-interest rates and flexible terms.
- Switch Banks
Despite the various changes that have been made in the financial industry, it’s still not surprising that banks are looking to increase their revenue from fees to make up for the increased costs. According to Greg McBride, consumers must be proactive about avoiding these fees. Some of the most common fees you can expect include an ATM fee, a bounced check fee, and the debit card fee. Switching banks can help you save money on your company’s expenses.
- Think About Bundled Services
Some companies provide services such as web hosting, internet, and cable. If you bundle these services together, you can save hundreds of dollars annually.
- Payroll Debit Cards
A debit card payroll system can help your company reduce its administrative expenses. It can also help minimize the risk of fraud since over 60% of all company fraud incidents involve employees.
- Offer Electronic Invoices
Electronic invoices are a great way to reduce your company’s printing and postage costs. They can be sent by email and easily integrated into your company’s workflow.
To keep up with the changes in the economy, you must take immediate action to find ways to save money on your business. After putting a plan in place, start implementing the necessary changes.