4 Digital Skills Every Business Owner Should Master

Because the overall economy is becoming increasingly dependent on the web, all businesses must undergo a digital transformation (DX). In fact, by the end of 2022, the overall spending on DX is estimated to be around $1.6 trillion. That said, with virtually all companies having an online presence, workforces going remote or hybrid, and the rapid rise of e-commerce, it’s not enough to have a website anymore—business leaders themselves need to be able to use technology effectively to stay profitable and competitive. To that end, there are basic foundations of the digital landscape that you can start exploring no matter what size your business may be.

Below are four digital skills every business owner should master:

Virtual communication

Nowadays, communication skills are not just reliant on physical interactions. Instead, virtual communication is an indispensable skill every business owner should have. Through this, you can use digital tools like Slack, Zoom, and Teams to effectively collaborate with your teams remotely. That said, since much can get lost in translation digitally, this skill requires mastery of how to properly relay messages and emotions online. This is why being successful at virtual communication means mastering your professional video presence. Virtual meetings also need you to dress appropriately, speak clearly and concisely, use proper body language, and avoid technical errors. Every business owner should practice deliberately and evaluate each online meeting to develop a robust professional virtual presence. Much like an in-person meeting, you must practice your virtual communication skills to project your best self online.

Social media management

Social media management is a key skill for any business owner to have. Your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages reflect your company, so keeping your accounts professional, engaging, and well-curated is essential. After all, up to 75% of consumers say they research brands via social media before transacting with them. Having said that, there is no “one size fits all” approach to social media. Generally, though, you need to be able to post regularly and consistently. You can post pictures of your products, share links and articles about your industry, or share tutorials about your product. You also need to be able to respond quickly when someone comments on your posts or messages you directly. With a genuine and reliable social media presence, you’ll be able to take advantage of the massive audience that social networking sites provide.

Basic cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting data, networks, and systems from damage or disruption. It is a crucial part of running any business in today’s digital age. On top of this, the sharp rise of cyberattacks and data breaches in recent months only shows that any company can be vulnerable without the right skillset. As a business owner, you need to be able to protect your company’s proprietary information, intellectual property, and financial data from hackers and other malicious actors. This means knowing how to manage passwords, set up firewalls, and encrypt sensitive files. Aside from onboarding a cybersecurity specialist, the best way to learn about cybersecurity is by taking an online course on the subject. These courses will teach you everything from identifying phishing scams to protecting your client’s personal information from hackers. Having this knowledge will further reduce your cyber vulnerability.

Search engine optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or web page on search engine results. In other words, it’s how you get your content to rank higher in Google, Yahoo, or Bing. Generally, the higher ranked a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine’s users. SEO is an essential part of online lead generation—or capturing consumers’ interest to procure and increase sales. Every business owner should have at least some basic understanding of how SEO helps businesses gain visibility to their potential customers and retain their existing ones.

The digital world is a fast-growing and dynamic sector. As a business owner, it’s up to you to stay on top of the skills, trends, and technologies that will help your business thrive.

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