Start-Up tips: storing data safely as a start-up

Starting out as a small business owner is a complex task. You will find yourself facing all sorts of challenges you might never have had to face before in any previous roles you’ve worked. Not only do you take on responsibility for product development, branding, marketing and advertising, but you have to make sure all the cogs of the business are turning over to allow business to progress as usual. Of course, many small business owners tend to focus on the more fun aspects of the job. They’ll like to spend time on packaging. They’ll like to get involved with market research to really get to grips with their target demographic. They’ll enjoy collaborating and recruiting. But less fun factors really need to be a focus too. Data tends to be one of these. Not only is data essential, but it’s extremely important for your business’ reputation, and in order to abide by the law with your operations, that you know how to manage and store it correctly. Let’s take a moment to get to grips with the basics of data for your start up.  

• What is Data?   

Let’s start by establishing exactly what data is. Put simply, it is any piece of information that your business generates or takes. It can be a figure,a number, a measurement, or a simple observation. 

• The Importance of Data 

Of course, data can have a huge impact on your company and it’s extremely important that you do take note of data that your business creates and takes in. Different types of data can help your company in different ways. Interaction data, for example, can show you how customers interact with your brand and provide you with insight into what your customers are doing and how you can encourage them to buy more, or how you can change your sales technique to better cater to them. Sales data can also provide you with insight into what causes your sales to rise and fall. Again, this can allow you to make better informed decisions in regards to launching new products and services for your customer base. 

• Storing Data 

Of course, data can often prove to be private and confidential. It can contain personal details of your company, your employees, your customers, and anyone else who comes into contact with your business. So, you need to store it safely. 

Save All Files Securely 

You should know how you can access all saved date at any given time and where all data is stored. This can even include data in hidden files – so you may need to learn how to show hidden files. Data with personal information attached should be password protected. 

Back Up Data 

Data should be backed up. This is where hard drives or the cloud can come in useful. These secure ways to save data can ensure that you still have access to it, even if original files become lost or damaged. 

Outsource 

Of course, you can relieve yourself of the responsibility of secure data storage by outsourcing this part of your process to a reliable specialist or company. Just make sure to check their credentials before trusting them with valuable information. 

Of course, the above advice just runs over the basics of data and careful data storage. It’s a complex area that you’re really going to have to get invested into as a business owner. Hopefully, this information and these steps will help you to get started in the right direction!