There are many benefits to going paperless in business. One of the most important is that it helps to save trees and other natural resources. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper annually. This means a small business with 10 employees would use 100,000 sheets of paper annually. If all enterprises switched to paperless invoicing, it would make a massive difference to the environment.
For businesses, going paperless can seem like a daunting task. After all, paperwork has been a staple in the business world for decades. However, there are many advantages to digitizing your business that make the transition well worth it in the long run. Let’s take a look at some of those advantages now.
Benefits of going paperless
Businesses that go paperless can reap some benefits, including:
Cost Savings
Perhaps the most obvious advantage of going paperless is the cost savings. Paper and ink can be expensive, and if your business goes through a lot, those costs can add up quickly. In addition, storing physical documents takes up space, which can also cost you money in the form of office rental fees or storage fees. By keeping your documents electronically, you can save on all of these costs.
Increased Productivity
Another significant advantage of digitizing your business is increased productivity. Think about how much time is wasted on tasks like photocopying, filing, and searching for lost documents. When everything is stored electronically, those tasks take mere seconds to accomplish. In addition, electronic documents are much easier to share than paper documents, so employees can collaborate more easily and get their work done more efficiently.
Improved Customer Service
Finally, digitizing your business can also lead to improved customer service. Customers today expect companies to be able to provide them with quick and easy access to information 24/7. If they have to wait for someone in your office to find a physical document, they will not be happy. However, if they can access the information they need online at any time, they’ll likely be much more satisfied with your level of customer service.
How to go paperless?
Now that you know some of the advantages of going paperless, you might be wondering how to actually make the transition. Here are a few tips:
Outsource your marketing efforts
Marketing collateral is one of the businesses’ most significant sources of paper waste. From flyers and brochures to business cards and postcards, a lot of paper is involved in marketing. One way to reduce paper waste is to outsource your marketing efforts to a company specializing in digital marketing. You don’t have to worry about printing costs, and your marketing will be more effective since it will target customers who are already interested in what you offer.
If you’re uncertain about making the transition to paperless, consider outsourcing your monthly retained PR services. Doing so will give you a chance to trial going paperless without making a long-term commitment, allowing you to see the benefits for yourself.
Use e-signatures
E-signatures are legal and binding, and they can be easily done with software like Adobe Sign or DocuSign. This means that you can send documents electronically and get them signed without having to print them out, sign them yourself, and then mail them back. This can save a lot of time and hassle, especially if you have clients or customers who are located far away. In addition, using e-signatures can help you go green by reducing your reliance on paper.
Use an online invoicing system
With an online invoicing system, businesses can send invoices directly to their clients without having to print them out. This can save on paper costs, as well as the time and money it takes to mail invoices. In addition, online invoicing systems often come with other features that can be helpful for businesses, such as the ability to track payments and view invoice history.
Invest in document management software
Document management software allows you to store all your documents electronically, eliminating the need for physical filing cabinets. And because the software is searchable, you can quickly find the document you’re looking for – no more wasted time rummaging through stacks of paper. In addition, document management software typically includes security features that help to protect your documents from unauthorized access.
The bottom line
There are many advantages to digitizing your business. From cost savings to increased productivity to improved customer service, the benefits of going paperless are hard to ignore. If you’re considering making the switch from paper to digital, keep these advantages in mind—you may just decide that it’s worth it after all!