What is an online automated business?

Automation can be defined as a machine performing tasks automatically without human intervention. In other words, it's when your computer does something on its own while you're away at work!

But in today's world, many companies have adopted automation strategies and technologies to improve their operations and reduce costs. A fully-automated business is one which generates revenue continuously without any involvement by the owner. This means there is no need for them to spend time managing the day-to-day activities of the company. The only thing they need do is monitor the results generated by the system and make changes where necessary.

In short, these types of businesses don't require much interaction from the owners but still generate significant revenues. There are several reasons why people want to set up such systems. Here we will discuss some good ideas for setting up automated businesses.

What is an automated business system?

An automated business system refers to software applications used to run the entire operation of a business. It is designed to perform all functions needed to keep the business running smoothly. Examples include CRM (customer relationship management) software, ecommerce platforms, accounting packages etc. These tools provide the backend services required by various departments within our organization. They also help us to track data, manage orders, receive payments, schedule meetings and more.

The best part about using automation tools is that most of them allow the user to configure the tool according to his/her needs. For example, if you sell products via Amazon then you'd probably use an ecommerce platform to handle customer purchases. You would customize the app based on your sales strategy. Similarly, if you are selling physical goods through retail stores, then you'll likely look into inventory management and fulfillment platforms. Again, these apps would be configured according to your specific requirements.

There are many benefits associated with implementing an automated business solution. Let's explore five such advantages below.

1. Reduced operational expenses

When you purchase a new product, you usually pay a hefty price tag upfront. But once you've acquired the item, you might not find yourself buying another similar model anytime soon. In fact, you might even forget that you had bought the first one since you haven't been actively using it!

This means that you are paying for a service every month simply because you forgot to cancel it. If you were able to buy items without spending money, then you could save a considerable amount each year.

2. Increased productivity

If you have ever worked in a large corporation, you know how difficult things become after office hours. Even though employees stay put during normal working hours, they tend to leave work early whenever possible. That leaves everyone else trying to catch up.

By automating key processes with the right software apps, you can ensure that certain jobs get done efficiently. In turn, you can free up enough resources so that others can focus on higher priority projects. As a result, the overall efficiency of the team increases considerably.

3. Improved employee retention rate

This point ties directly back to increased productivity. When workers enjoy greater job satisfaction, they naturally feel motivated to stick around longer. And if they are happy with their employer, chances are high that they won't move out just yet.

4. More control over finances

One of the biggest drawbacks with manual financial tracking is that errors occur regularly. Sometimes, mistakes happen due to lack of attention. Other times, it's purely unintentional. Either way, the end result is the same - money gets lost.

With an automated business solution, you can rest assured that everything is being tracked correctly. No matter who makes the mistake, it doesn't affect the bottom line. Thus, you can avoid costly fees related to erroneous bookkeeping.

5. Better quality of life

Many people wish to retire earlier than planned. However, traditional retirement plans take too long to mature. By contrast, an automated business can offer instant gratification. Since income streams start flowing immediately, retirees can live off residual earnings until death.

As mentioned above, automation allows users to completely eliminate manual labor. Hence, they can devote full energy towards pursuing personal interests. Also, thanks to reduced stress levels, individuals can concentrate better on important matters.

What businesses are automated?

It goes without saying that automation has found its place in almost every industry. Some industries are more receptive to change than others. Below are five common areas where automation holds value:

Travel & Tourism

Since travel agencies charge commission fees regardless of whether customers actually book flights or hotels, the whole process becomes very expensive. Travelers lose hundreds of dollars annually due to commissions paid by agents.

However, with the advent of digital booking engines, travelers now have access to thousands of cheap deals available 24x7. With automatic booking features embedded deep into websites, these sites can instantly present relevant offers to potential clients. Agents' roles are thus rendered obsolete.

Healthcare

Medical procedures can cost millions of dollars per patient. Hospitals and clinics must therefore invest heavily on equipment and personnel to maintain optimal standards across different units.

Thanks to modern technology, healthcare organizations can now operate with minimal staffs. Patient records, billing information, insurance details etc. can all be managed remotely without compromising security. Medical professionals can carry out surgeries faster and more accurately. Patients benefit from advanced diagnostic techniques and treatments.

Retail

Ecommerce platforms such as Shopify and BigCommerce allow retailers to build highly interactive storefronts. Customers browse through endless designs and decide which ones fit their preferences. Once a decision is made, payment options are presented along with shipping info. All of this happens in real-time.

Online shopping reduces friction between buyers and sellers. Both parties can easily compare prices and shop from anywhere in the world. Retailers gain more visibility due to improved marketing efforts. Overall, consumers experience less hassle and frustration.

Manufacturing Industry

Most manufacturing plants produce raw materials before turning them into finished products. At the beginning stages, operators manually measure ingredients and weigh material against specified weight limits. Afterward, machines perform final processing steps such as cutting, shaping, drilling, etc.

Today, manufacturers can leverage AI algorithms to streamline production. Robot arms complete repetitive tasks without requiring human supervision. Data collected from sensors helps identify defects. Machines learn from previous experiences and adjust accordingly.

Construction

Homes built by builders undergo extensive testing before going onto market. During construction, inspectors check the structure for structural integrity, water leakage, safety hazards, etc.

At the completion stage, inspectors again visit homes to conduct inspections. While building contractors are responsible for completing tasks on time, inspectors assess home conditions. In case anything goes wrong, homeowners file complaints.

These days, smart contracts replace paper documents. Using blockchain technology, agreements signed digitally cannot be altered later. Contractors can verify documents quickly and send invoices electronically. Homebuyers are relieved of tedious paperwork.

What are 5 examples of automation?

We discussed how automation enables easy operation of businesses. Now let's see how it works in practice.

MailChimp

Email marketers love MailChimp. Its powerful functionality lets them deliver customized messages to subscribers in minutes. Through templates, recipients can choose from multiple layouts. Subscribers can sign up using social media accounts. Emails can contain links directing them to landing pages. Each email contains a unique link that leads to a separate page containing personalized content.

Active Campaign

For those looking for effective autoresponders, Active Campaign delivers. Users can create custom emails targeting specific demographics. They can add images, videos, audio files, hyperlinks and text boxes. Messages are also sent to multiple lists simultaneously.

Salesforce

Users can organize contacts, view reports, set reminders, assign tasks and more. Sales reps can connect with prospects and follow up with them regarding opportunities. They can share client profiles among colleagues for collaboration purposes.

Dynamics 365

Built specifically for small business, Dynamics 365 provides robust reporting capabilities. Companies can view historical figures relating to sales, profits, budgets, assets, liabilities etc. Analytics tools enable users to analyze trends and draw inferences.

Autopilot

A popular SaaS offering, Autopilot integrates seamlessly with Gmail. Users can effortlessly integrate Google Calendar events and appointments with their inboxes. Recipients can respond to messages with comments and attachments.

What are examples of business process automation?

Business process automation involves automating routine administrative tasks. With the right software application, companies can minimize overhead costs while increasing profitability. Here are three major categories of BPA:

Order Fulfillment

Processing orders involves lots of repetitive tasks. From receiving shipments, verifying credit cards to checking inventory, order fulfilment requires constant monitoring. An automated business solution can streamline the entire workflow.

Customer Support

Support teams play a vital role in ensuring smooth functioning of an enterprise. Customer support representatives deal with incoming calls, chats and emails daily. Their duties involve responding to queries, resolving problems and handling emergencies. Such responsibilities can prove overwhelming especially when operating a global network.

Account Management

Automation has been around since the dawn of time and it's still going strong today. There were even early attempts at automating entire cities such as London and Paris during the Industrial Revolution. What we know about automation now can be traced back centuries but it wasn't until the 1990s when computer technology began to take off that companies really started to see its potential. This was also around the same time that the internet became mainstream and people began using it on a daily basis. The combination of these two events led to something called e-commerce -- which means electronic commerce. It basically describes anything done over the internet including buying products, making payments and selling them too.

The term 'e-commerce' actually refers to any activity conducted via the internet (including things like sending emails). But if you're thinking of starting your own e-commerce business then there are certain areas where it might make sense to look into automation first. For example, consider all those tasks that could potentially be automated, especially customer service ones. If done well, these tasks can save money and increase efficiency by cutting down on human labour costs. In fact, some experts believe that automation will become more common than outsourcing within five years because it offers so much promise.

For instance, if you're looking to start an online business, automation tools can help you create websites, manage social media accounts, send out newsletters and other marketing materials, handle customer support calls and offer content creation services to clients. To get started with these kinds of projects, though, you'll need to learn how to set up an automation system. We've previously covered ways to automate email campaigns here and have provided further information on doing just that right below.

However, while automation can certainly benefit any kind of company, not every type of business needs one. So let us explain exactly what an automatic business is.

What are automated services in a business?

An automated business is simply a business that runs without human intervention (at least most of the time). That doesn't mean that the owners don't play a role however - they do! They usually oversee the process but their responsibilities primarily focus on generating revenue through sales. And because automation saves employees time and effort, they can spend that time working on new strategies instead.

As mentioned above, there are lots of different types of businesses that fall under the umbrella of being fully automated. Some examples include web design firms, copywriting agencies, digital product development studios and subscription management platforms. Let's explore each of these briefly to find out whether they would suit someone who wants to start an online business.

What is a fully automated business?

A fully automated business operates completely independently of human beings. As soon as you purchase the software required to run it, everything else happens automatically. However, it does rely on having access to computers and the internet. A good example of a fully automated business is MailChimp. You sign up for a free account and select the number of subscribers you want to target. Then, once the list building campaign starts, the platform sends promotional messages straight to your contacts. When a subscriber clicks on the link in the message, he/she gets taken directly to your website. Your site contains whatever content you choose to promote. It can be an optin page offering visitors free downloads, videos, guides or whatever else you think would interest them. Once they decide to subscribe, the tool automatically forwards them onto another webpage where payment details can be entered. After that point, the user receives monthly communications containing links to additional pages that contain more valuable content. All of this occurs automatically thanks to the power of automation.

Some people worry that automated systems aren't effective enough to provide real value to customers. While that may be true in smaller cases, larger operations tend to deliver excellent results. For example, HubSpot, an extremely popular advertising agency based in Boston, uses automation extensively across its various departments. One of the main reasons why they decided to implement automation is because it provides better visibility and allows them to quickly react to changes in demand. Another reason is due to the flexibility offered by automation. With it, marketers can change their adverts whenever they feel like it, rather than sticking to rigid schedules. Finally, HubSpot claims that automation enables them to keep track of all of their activities and makes it easy for everyone involved to monitor progress.

Do small businesses use automation?

Although automation tends to appeal mainly to big corporations, it isn't necessarily expensive to operate. Small businesses can easily afford to acquire the necessary resources to install and maintain an automated system. Of course, the cost per unit must be weighed against the amount of productivity gained. If there is only one person running the operation, then investing in automation probably won't add significantly to the bottom line. On the other hand, if multiple people are employed, then automation could prove invaluable.

In addition, automation is most suitable for industries that involve repetitive processes. Think of anything related to data entry, such as invoicing or bookkeeping. These jobs generally consist of taking similar steps repeatedly and therefore lend themselves to automation quite naturally. Other fields where automation could improve performance are customer service, accounting and legal affairs.

Finally, if you're planning to sell your products online, automation might be worth considering. Many retailers already leverage automation to streamline order fulfillment and shipping procedures. They typically employ machines to pack orders, scan barcodes, sort packages and ship items to customers. Online stores such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy also utilize automation to boost conversion rates. Their goal is to reduce overhead expenses and allow sellers to concentrate on creating great products.

How many businesses are automated?

There are numerous examples of successful businesses that exist solely thanks to automation. Take for instance the aforementioned MailChimp. According to the company, 90 percent of its users are subscribed to mailing lists created by itself. Furthermore, 70 percent of them are paying members. Meanwhile, Hubspot boasts that 75 percent of its users pay subscriptions to premium plans.

It goes without saying that automation works best when used correctly. Otherwise, it will end up wasting precious resources, causing unnecessary stress and ultimately leading to poor results. However, despite the risks, automation remains very appealing to entrepreneurs and freelancers alike. As explained earlier, it frees up time and energy to pursue higher priorities. Moreover, the ability to scale up quickly is particularly useful for startups. Of course, automation comes with its share of challenges. However, if implemented properly, it should produce significant returns over time.

Interested in learning more about setting up an automation system? Check out our guide on the subject.

Automation has been around in many forms since the dawn of time (or even further back than that). The first example I can think of was when people started using machines to do repetitive tasks such as grinding grain into flour. In fact, we still use automation today.

You know the old saying “if it were easy everyone would be rich”? Well, if you want to make money fast but don't have the cash to invest, then an automated business might just be what you need! With over $2 trillion dollars being invested by venture capitalists every year on new technologies alone, there's never been more opportunity. If you're looking for ways to get your own piece of the pie, here are some good ideas for an automated business.

What are the examples of automated system?

There are several different kinds of automated systems out there today. Here are some common ones:

- CRM - Customer Relationship Management software helps companies communicate better with their customers. It tracks customer interactions to provide salespeople with detailed information about each prospect or client. This lets them quickly assess whether potential clients will fit well within the company's target market.

- CMS - Content management systems allow website owners to easily update content without having to hire writers or developers. They also help improve SEO rankings by creating unique pages optimized for search engines. Some popular CMS platforms include WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Typo3, Magento, etc.

- Ecommerce - An eCommerce platform allows small businesses to sell products through websites or mobile apps. These sites feature secure payment processing options so buyers can pay securely right away. Many eCommerce platforms let users set up shopping carts and track inventory automatically. Plus, these services offer free trial versions to test drive their features.

- Email Marketing - If you've ever bought something online, you probably received emails promoting those items. Why not leverage this tactic to promote your goods too? With email marketing software, you'll have access to hundreds of thousands of opt-in subscribers ready to receive your offers. You can send messages at any time during the day or week and collect valuable data on how effective your campaigns are.

What are the types of automated systems?

The most basic form of automation involves setting up processes that run themselves. For instance, if you need someone to perform certain tasks repeatedly throughout the day, you could create a schedule that automates the process. However, in order to reap the benefits of automation, you should choose carefully which methods you implement. There are two main approaches to implementing automation in your business: manual and automatic.

Manual automation is where you manually enter information into applications while the application itself handles all other aspects. Manual automation typically requires less upfront investment, but you must constantly monitor the status of your workflow to ensure everything runs smoothly. Automatic automation refers to software programs that take care of much of the grunt work and save humans lots of time.

Here are some examples of automated systems used across industries:

- Inventory tracking - Retailers rely heavily on technology to keep tabs on product inventories. In fact, Amazon uses computerized bar codes and scanners to manage the entire supply chain. It works by scanning packages coming off trucks, verifying shipping labels, and sending updates to warehouses via satellite and cellular networks.

- HR departments - Human resource managers use various tools to streamline hiring procedures and employee evaluations. Software programs like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) assist recruiters identify qualified candidates based on job requirements and background checks. Once applicants become available, ATSs match them against open positions and notify relevant decision makers accordingly. Other HR software includes payroll and scheduling functions.

- Sales teams - Account executives, sales representatives, and marketers alike use software designed specifically for selling. Most focus on helping prospects understand their needs and find solutions that best suit their budgets. The goal is to close deals faster and increase revenue per account.

- Social Media Monitoring - Companies use social media monitoring software to discover trending topics among consumers and stay ahead of competitors who may already be active in the same space. Social media monitoring software scans blogs, forums, news feeds, and Twitter accounts for mentions of keywords related to a given industry. When a new trend emerges, brands can capitalize on it by launching ads and promotions related to the topic.

What are three examples of automation?

Now that we covered the basics of automation, here are some more specific examples to give you a feel for what kind of things you can automate in your business:

1. Marketing Campaigns  -- Once you've chosen a method of automation, build a campaign plan that covers the following steps:

a. Developing goals and objectives for the campaign.

b. Identifying key metrics and KPIs that measure success.

c. Writing ad copy and landing page text.

d. Creating advertisements, banners, videos, and graphics.

e. Scheduling ad delivery dates.

f. Setting up payment processors.

g. Designing call to action buttons.

h. Managing customer support requests and complaints.

i. Analyzing results and reporting progress.

j. Adjusting strategy and tactics on the fly.

k. Conducting follow ups.

l. Testing and refining strategies.

m. Implementing changes as necessary.

n. Rolling out additional campaigns.

This list isn't exhaustive, but it gives you an idea of what goes into an average marketing campaign. As you see, there are plenty of opportunities to automate parts of your marketing efforts.

2. Website Maintenance & Updates  -- Let's say you run a blog. Every now and again, you'd like to check in and tweak the look and layout of your site. Not only does this prevent embarrassing errors from appearing, but it saves you hours of tedious work down the road. Instead of spending countless hours trying to figure out what went wrong, you simply log onto your web host's control panel and click a button labeled 'change theme'. That's it! Your site gets updated instantly.

3. Client Support  -- Are you working with a large number of clients? Do you regularly deal with issues like billing disputes or questions regarding payments? Then consider building a comprehensive knowledge base that contains answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs), instructions for troubleshooting problems, and contact info for live chat experts. Having a central place where these resources reside makes it easier to address inquiries from multiple sources simultaneously.

4. Employee Training  -- Have employees ask questions about how to complete tasks? Or perhaps they need training materials distributed to them in bulk? Rather than doing the legwork yourself, why not set up a simple automated program that sends documents or links directly to those individuals' inboxes? This way you won't waste time searching for files or worrying that important documents got lost in transit.

5. Accounting & Bookkeeping  -- Does your accounting software stop updating once you finish making entries? Wouldn't it be nice if it kept track of transactions until the end of the month instead of requiring constant attention? How about getting monthly reports delivered straight to your phone? By automating bookkeeping, you can spend more time focusing on growing your business rather than wrangling numbers.

6. Product Development  -- Does your team struggle keeping track of design specs and specifications? Perhaps you'd prefer to devote more time to analyzing user feedback and testing prototypes. With automated development software, you can avoid wasting precious time hunting down files and tweaking designs. Just upload images, type up descriptions, and hit 'generate code.'

7. Shipping & Receiving  -- Say you ship orders twice a month. After placing the initial shipment, you leave it up to warehouse staff to verify shipments and record details in the system. But what happens after that? What if the next batch doesn't arrive on time due to unexpected delays or bad weather? Would it really cost you more time and effort to manually reorder supplies and reschedule deliveries? Wouldn't it be simpler to put together a script that automatically generates purchase orders and schedules deliveries according to a predetermined schedule?

8. Customer Service/Support  -- Have you ever spent endless hours dealing with angry customers? Did you wonder if there was a quicker way to resolve their concerns? Maybe you could reduce the amount of time you spend fielding calls by outsourcing customer service to a third party provider. With an automated solution, agents can handle incoming queries and respond promptly. On top of that, you can eliminate the risk of human error by ensuring that responses adhere to standard protocols.

9. Project Planning & Tracking  -- Ever wondered how big projects go awry? Sometimes it's because project leaders don't adequately prepare for obstacles along the way. To combat this problem, you could build a toolkit that collects project details and provides step-by-step guidance on how to tackle challenges. This way, team members aren't left floundering as soon as unforeseen complications arise.