You can't use technology effectively if you have none. Here are some general tips if you're investing in hardware and software for the first time:

• ‍Watch out for high setup costs; some software companies charge thousands
  Some software companies charge thousands for setup which is a barrier for start-up companies. They'll baffle you with extra costs for support, hosting, and modules. Look for transparent pricing without any hidden costs.
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• ‍Are there minimum term contracts? Make sure you're getting value before you commit
  This is another barrier for unproven start-ups. You don't want to commit to a long-term software contract if you're just starting out. You'll want to make sure you're getting value before making that kind of commitment. See if the software provider offers a 30-day free trial to reduce any risks.
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• ‍Is the software reliable? Unexpected downtime can cost you thousands and wreck your cashflow
  Is the software reliable? IT issues or downtime can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. And when a system you heavily rely on goes down, you'll end up with unhappy clients and frustrated staff. When reviewing software providers, ask what their uptime is (the total period of time their system has been operational), it should be near 99.9%.
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• ‍Beware banded pricing. It can lead to unpredictable costs as you expand your team
  Some banded pricing is ok. But a lot of the time it's just confusing and unpredictable. Check out our video on banded pricing below

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