8 Small Business Trends to Prepare for in 2022

Trends: E-commerce, >Remote Work, Communication Apps, Cashless Payments, >Virtual Events, Personalized AI, Video Marketing, >Freelancers.

This year has been one “L” of a challenge: Pandemic Lockdowns & limitations. Then it’s hard to find & keep Employees. But don’t give up hope. 2022 will be here soon. And, you know what a New Year means? A fresh start, new trends & opportunities for businesses. So, what kind of trends should you keep prepare for in the coming year?

Small Business Trends for 2022

New year, new business trends !!! It seems like every year there is something that’s all the rage in business. Some trends stay, while others come & go. And in the case of 2022, many trends are likely staying (ie, remote work). But, experts anticipate a few new ones, too.

Although we can’t predict exactly which trends will become popular in the upcoming year, I do have some insights – thanks to my 30-plus years of entrepreneurial experience. So, let’s take a look at eight (8) small business trends for 2022 we’ll probably see in the year ahead.

1. E-commerce Businesses will thrive

Many trends became stronger in the last year or so – due to businesses needing to adapt to survive the pandemic. One trend that will continue to be strong in 2022 and beyond? E-commerce.

E-commerce businesses that sell products and/or services online are becoming huge. Why? Customers can easily and safely shop from home. And, business owners don’t have to worry about having a brick-and-mortar location. Not to mention, business owners can steer clear of some overhead costs; they can do all of their business online. It’s truly a win-win !!!

If you’re thinking about starting a business but are leery about opening a storefront, starting an E-commerce business may be the perfect new trend to follow.

2. Remote Work will continue to be popular

It’s no secret that remote work took the world by storm in the last year and a half. Nearly half (1/2) of employees worked from home in 2021 due to the Pandemic. And if you experimented with remote work for your employees, you probably found that it has quite a few perks for both your business & employees.

Chances are, remote work isn’t going down anytime soon. But, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it could be a blessing. Remote work has taught employers a lot, like how offering work-from-home options can:

Boost Productivity
Attract and retain top talent (from anywhere!)
Improve their Work-Life balance

Because remote work was such a big hit the last two years, I see it growing next year (and maybe staying with us forever).

3. Communication applications will only grow in importance

A big part of making your business work is prioritizing communication with your team. Otherwise, poor communication with your team could lead to poor collaboration and even workplace drama. To strengthen communication in this remote era, communication tools & applications have become a must-have trend. And if I had to guess, it will continue being a big part of the year to come.

Communication tools and applications can help your team, remote or not. Applications & tools, like Video Conferencing software & Messaging platforms, have been booming since Covid struck in 2020. And like remote work, they will probably be around for quite some time.

If you haven’t already done so already and want to keep up with the latest trends, try out some new communication applications at your business. See what works and doesn’t work, and what helps improve your team’s ability to communicate and work together.

4. Cashless Payments will become standard for businesses

At one point in time, CA$H was king. But, move over cash, because there’s a new trend in town taking over payments. That’s right—I’m talking about cashless payments. Cashless payments can include a variety of payment methods:

Credit and Debit cards
Mobile or Digital wallets
Payment apps

As technology advances, more cashless payment options will become available, which means your business may have no choice, but to keep up to satisfy customers. In addition to accepting standard payments, consider also adding a cashless payment option or two to your list. That way, you can keep up with the times while also giving your loyal customers a few options when it comes time to pay.

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5. More & more Events will be Virtual Events held online

Continuing with the Pandemic theme, you know what else predicted to be a hot small business trend for 2022? Virtual Events – conferences, meetings, & trade shows. Why? Because the Pandemic is still hanging around. Not to mention that hosting virtual events can help expand your reach and allow for more attendees.

So, don’t be surprised if your favorite event, like a Trade Show, decides to host things virtually in 2022 (ie, what about all those companies pulling out of CES in Jan?) There will be more virtuality with in-person & online options. If fact, it’s a smart idea to decide to host a virtual event to help keep your business, customers & employees safe.

Don’t let the trend of virtual events scare you off. They can be fun, helpful, & educational – regardless of if you’re attending an event in person or watching it on your Laptop from the comfort of your own home.

6. Personalized AI will become more commonplace

Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly gained traction in the business world to help streamline certain tasks, and it’s going to become even more sought-after in the years ahead.

Depending on the type of Artificial Intelligence, this technology can help you increase sales, get to know your customers better, and even prevent fraud. Who doesn’t want all of that ??? Here are just a few examples of AI in business:

Chatbots on websites & social media
Personalized recommendations
Personalized ads and marketing
Smart assistants (ie, Siri)
Fraud-detection systems
Facial recognition

AI has advanced over the years, and it’s going to advance even more in 2022 and beyond. So, do yourself a favor and look into AI for your business. You never know how this trend can help your business expand & succeed until you try it, then evaluate the results.

7. Video Marketing will continue to grow in popularity

As a business owner, you likely know that marketing techniques are ever changing. One day a marketing strategy is in, and the next day it’s out. One marketing trend that’s taken over (and that will continue to next year) is Video Marketing.

So for my old-school marketing friends, what in the world does Video Marketing include? It can be anything from Videos on your Website to using Social Media platforms (ie, TikTok) to promote your products and/or services.

Video Marketing is packed with perks & opportunities for business owners. Don’t believe me? Approximately 84% of people say a brand’s video convinced them to buy a product or service. And, 54% of consumers want to see more video content from a brand or business they support – for themselves and to recommend to others.

So if you want to take your marketing up to the next level in 2022, consider incorporating Videos into your Marketing Strategy. Test out using different platforms, like Facebook (#1) & TikTok, to market your company using videos – and don’t be afraid to have fun with it !!!

8. Freelancers will make up a much larger part of the Workforce

Freelancers, or gig workers, make up a huge chunk of workers. Last year, there were 60 million people doing freelance work in the United States (about 1/3). And, that number is only going to continue to grow in 2022, especially with our new normal from the Pandemic.

Now you might be wondering, What in the world do Freelancers have to do with my business? Depending on your needs, it could be a match made in heaven. You can hire a Freelance worker to do a one-time job and get expertise in a certain area. Most Freelancers have significant expertise in the area you need. Not to mention, you can cut down on costs associated with hiring a full-time employee tremendously.

Just like our children are our future, so are Freelancers. If you’re looking for high-quality work with a lower overhead costs, first consider looking into Freelance options for your business this coming year. And who knows, maybe you’ll find a worker you like so much that you’ll want to hire them for good. That’s a Win-Win !!!

8 top Small Business Trends to help you Prepare for in 2022