The move to the cloud is often not a question of if it will occur but more likely when it will occur, for most small businesses. So what is the reason for so many businesses embracing online cloud software?

The following are several benefits your business can expect by joining the cloud:

1. Work anywhere, any time
Currently, remote workers total an estimated 1.3 billion, with the number on the rise. There is a recent shift in the manner people are work, integrating both their work and personal lives. Working through the cloud facilitates this change. You are able to work anywhere at any time, while remaining in touch and up to date with your business and team.

2. Reduce hardware costs and scale easily
When IT systems are built in-house it can result in a large amount of capital spent on hardware, high energy and the need for technical support and floor space. No hardware is required for cloud software, you simply need an internet connection. Since you won't be reliant on hardware, expanding your IT is much easier, with no lag or additional investment risk.

3. Become location agnostic
Having no hardware on a premise means no geographic restrictions on your business. Your potential customer base may increase and operational costs decreased in turn, as a result. Cloud computing enables real time collaboration and messaging between team members, allowing some small businesses to possibly go office-free, further minimising overheads.

4. Simplify
In this day, we have come to expect one click functionality for both our personal and business technology. Most cloud applications for businesses are manufactured to look and function like common services and sites you may use in everyday life. Therefore, training is likely to be minimal.

5. Easily stay compliant
All business are subject to different types of compliance, including employment law, tax or data protection. Since changes can be made regularly it can be hard to keep updated and may impose difficult changes in work practices

However, cloud computing does the difficult work for you, with any changes built into the software in real time, as required by law. It'll be ready for you next time you log in, giving you one less thing to worry about.

6. Fix glitches quickly
A traditional software licence, would normally have you wait a year for any available fixes or upgrades. When a new version is finally released, it is likely you'll need to pay for it and then go through the difficulty of installing it, then learning what has changed.

A cloud application will always give you the most up to date version, whenever you log in. The service providers are always improving and upgrading software, and you don't need to do a thing.

7. The freedom to change
Most time, cloud software requires no capital outlay or installation. This means, if the service no longer aids your business or you want to try something else, you can simply cancel your subscription.

Utilising the cloud gives you flexibility to do what is best for your business and text new ways of working. Doing this means service providers must work hard to keep your business, therefore you will benefit from better service.

8. Gain access to the unimaginable
Only five to 10 years ago, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) shared data, synchronised accounting applications, project management tools and software were well out of reach for small businesses to use.

Nowadays almost every business function has a cloud application to achieve it. Small businesses have wide access to functionality that allows them to realistically compete with their larger competitors, while continuing to better and further build their business.