6 ways to cut business expenses

Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question,“what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers. 

Whether your business is one with a physical product or one that provides a services, chances are you are always looking for ways to save money on reoccurring expenses. Here are 6 ways to cut some of those expenses: 

1. Automate Tasks
   Hiring people to do every task in your office can be out of reach for most solopreneurs. You may not be in the position to hire someone full-time, but you might be able to afford to automate some of your minor tasks. Automation may mean using software and apps for things like scheduling, email marketing, mileage tracking and others. Consider making a list of the minor tasks and researching if there is a good way to automate them.
2. Reach Customers by Using Data Wisely
   It used to be challenging for businesses to reach out to customers directly. But these days, all kinds of businesses can use customer data to their advantage. Think of customer data as similar to the way Facebook targets advertising. But without basic information, you can’t begin to find other similar customers. Consider asking for contact details when customers visit your website. At minimum, ask for contact information when you make a sale. Just make sure you follow all the relevant data protection laws.
3. Search For the Right Hosting Service
   The hosting service you use is important because it dictates how your website operates. If you have a poor service, there might be a lot of downtime and you might end up with frustrated customers. Make sure you compare your options and read reviews of your hosting service. If you think it’s time to switch provider, you should make use of this hosting guide. That way, you can find the a provider that is cost-effective and suitable for your business and website demands. 
4. Keep the Office Compact
   We’ve talked before about how your workspace is critical to your business. Whether the office is in your home or in your community, make sure you have enough space to do what is necessary, but no excess.
5. Find Customers and Business People on LinkedIn
   You might think networking and advertising are expensive and highly competitive, but there are other ways to reach a similar audience without spending a lot of money and competing against bigger businesses with bigger budgets. Don’t be afraid to use LinkedIn. As you’re probably aware, LinkedIn is a social media platform designed for and dedicated to business professionals. LinkedIn is a good way to meet other business owners and offer deals and initiatives to customers. 
6. Respond to Questions the Cheap and Easy Way
   Potential customers often have questions. In addition to a good About Us page, make sure you have a relevant FAQ page on your website. The FAQ page should answer key questions about your business. If you aren’t sure what to include on the FAQ page, think about the top five or 10 questions you get asked all the time. The questions where you don’t even have to think about the answer because you know the answers so well.