Choosing a file sharing service isn’t a decision that should be made lightly. But when you’re overwhelmed by the number of providers, procrastination can set in. Before you know it, months have gone by without taking a step towards implementing online document sharing in your business.

If you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of online document sharing, look for a service with the following features, only the best business file sharing providers have them.

Storage Features

When you manage your own file storage, you feel like you’re in control. Many business owners are surprised to discover all the benefits that come along with switching to a file sharing service. They feel as if they have more control than ever over their filing system.

Look for providers that feature drag and drop uploading so you can move your files in just one step. The best file sharing platform simulate your existing folder-based organization setup, so you don’t have to reinvent the storage wheel.

Move, copy, and search features should be standard as well. If you come across a service that leaves you frustrated with how you can store, access, and edit your files, move on to the next.

Sharing Features

Sharing capabilities are one of the best advantages of cloud storage. Anyone with the proper credentials can access folders or files from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. This makes it easy to share and collaborate with coworkers, contract workers, and clients, no matter their geographical location.

When choosing a provider, look for advanced sharing capabilities. For each file, you should be able to regulate who can view, download, or edit its content. Look for a feature that allows you to invite users to specific folders or files through links and emails. As the file owner, you should have the ability to easily grant, revoke, or modify access as needed. When it comes to sharing features, make sure that you have continuous control over who can access what.

Security Features

One of the biggest data storage myths holding business owners back from making the switch to online file sharing is the fear of poor security. There are certainly services out there that don’t take data security seriously. But the best digital file sharing services understand that security is arguably the most important feature they provide.

When searching for the best file sharing platform, look for security features such as role-based permissions, audit trails, session timeouts, and two-factor authentication. These features keep you in control of who can view, download, and print files. Audit trails let you see who has accessed files and what they did with the data.

For added security, session timeouts prevent the wrong eyes from seeing confidential information while additional features like complex password policies and two-factor authentication help protect your business, employees, and clients.

Preview Features

Having the ability to view previews directly in your browser without having to download or open additional software is an appreciated feature many business owners don’t think to look for. File sharing software providers without preview capabilities waste the time and resources of their clients.

You should also make sure your chosen provider offers a wide selection of supported file types within its preview features, so you’re not limited in your viewing capabilities.

Collaboration Features

The ability to collaborate through virtual files is a must-have feature. The best file sharing services don’t complicate collaboration. They offer commenting options, messaging capabilities, and activity tracking.

Notifications are another great feature to look for. Whether you’re working with one team member or a dozen, everyone can have a voice that’s equally heard with strong collaboration features.

Customization Features

The best cloud data storage provides all the services and features you need while also staying out of the limelight.

Look for customization features that enable you to upload your company logo, create color schemes, construct branded emails, and secure custom domains. For a truly seamless experience, look for the option to add white label support to your account.

Data Room Features

Data rooms give you full control over your files and who interacts with them. If you have a series of files that need to be viewed by multiple parties, you can allow participants access to the content without them ever coming into contact with each other.

Look for data room features that help you set up workspaces with automatic file deletion to protect your files and company.

Client Portal Features

If your business can benefit from the convenience and additional security client portals provide, you’ll want to look for a couple features from your provider. The first is embedded sign in forms. These allow validated users to access files directly from your web page for convenience and professionalism.

Another feature to look for is a dashboard. This creates a welcoming and encouraging online environment for wary clients. Finally, the ability to temporarily freeze projects and their associated files protects data while keeping them within reach for when they’re needed again.

Have You Found the Best File Sharing Service?

It’s always recommended to thoroughly explore and vet possible data file sharing service providers. But if the idea of working through this checklist seems like it’s too much, we have good news.

Onehub provides all these features and more. To see if they’re the best business file sharing service for you, schedule your free trial or work with a representative to decide which features are most important for your business.

Effective business communication requires a platform, personnel, and a purpose. A conference room filled with top staff members discussing client projects used to be how these requirements were fulfilled. But today’s technology has enabled business communication to evolve past physical world limitations and into the digital space.

One technology businesses are taking is document sharing software, where documents can be digitally uploaded, tracked, and securely archived. These files can also be viewed in digital workspaces by authorized users who can collaborate in real time, no matter their physical location.

Using the best business file sharing platform is a smart way to improve communication with employees and clients alike while simultaneously increasing productivity. Here are four great reasons to consider making the switch to document sharing software.

1. Cater to a Client’s Schedule

Document sharing software enables companies to provide each client with every piece of data relevant to their account or project. This could include initial quotes, contracts, presentations, detailed memos, and other documents directly related to their account.

A common customer service complaint is that companies waste time when answering questions or addressing a client’s accommodations. In fact, 66% of consumers feel that the most important thing a company can do is value their time.

How often is your company contacted through chat, email, or over the phone about questions regarding contract terms or project updates? How often are you supplying data you’ve already given to a client because they can’t track it down?

With the best file sharing platform, clients can log on when it’s convenient for them and see the updated status of a project, check their contract terms, or even leave a comment or question for a team member. Clients will never feel that they’re being ignored and they’ll have the power to find answers on their terms. You’ll also be able to free up other communication channels and gain more working time.

2. Eliminate Email Annoyances

The introduction of email in the 1990s changed how we communicate forever. However, the excitement around email has long worn off. According to CareerBuilder, 26% of employees think email is a major productivity killer.

While email certainly has its benefits, it can also be overwhelming. Lengthy emails tend to make exchanges longer than necessary. Email threads can also get drawn out, making it difficult to locate initial information. Employees are often CC’d when not necessary and find their inboxes clogged with irrelevant responses from mass emails.

Communicating through document storage platforms can help. Lengthy emails can be eliminated through real time chats within virtual Workplaces. There’s no risk for lost attachments through long email threads. Instead, they’re always easily accessible.

Collaboration notifications also mean less combing through emails and more direct and prompt responses to questions and feedback.

3. Get More People Involved in the Conversation

When using the best file sharing service, your discussions and Workplace events are less restricted. You don’t have to limit in-house meetings to the number of chairs in the room. You don’t have to worry about audio errors with video chats or participant limitations with audio conferencing. You don’t have to worry about updating staff members who are out sick, contract workers out of the country, or clients unable to attend of what the meeting entailed.

Instead, you can collaborate on projects and work on tasks with as many people as you need to get the job done. As an account owner, you’ll know who has accessed documents and completed their assigned tasks. You can send out messages as needed, review files, and stay up to date with email summaries. All involved parties remain informed without having to take time out for a meeting or dial in to a conference call.

4. Stop Checking the Clock

With 55% of companies planning on increasing their use of freelancers, outsourcing is quickly becoming a standard business practice. But not all freelancers live in the United States, and some American freelancers travel abroad while delivering their digital services.

It’s also become easier than ever for companies to work with international clients. Working with freelancers and clients across an ocean leads to one of the biggest caveats of doing global business of any kind – time zones. When you need to discuss a matter with a freelancer or client but they’re always sleeping during your work hours (and vice versa), productivity can come to a halt.

With document sharing software, employers, employees, contract workers, and clients can collaborate without scheduling around other involved parties. They can check in on updates, view newly assigned tasks, and participate in discussions, even if there’s a bit of a time delay.

Business Communication Tips

Here are some final tips to keep in mind when switching to document sharing software to improve business communication.

• Prepare for an adjustment period – It will take some time for both your company and your clients to adjust to document sharing software. But once the adjustment period has passed, the benefits are quickly felt.
• Learn digital security – Compared to other communication methods, sharing documents through the cloud is safer and more secure. But you should still brush up on digital security terms, trends, and threats. While you can rely on the best file sharing platform to keep your documents safe, you need to do your part as well.
• Don’t lose your human touch – Three quarters of surveyed consumers want more human interaction with companies they work with in the future, not less. So even though working with the best file sharing service can boost communication, don’t forget to keep a personal element in your brand.

Business communication technology is continuously improving. If your company isn’t evolving with it, you could be hurting your productivity and bottom line. To learn more about communicating with document sharing software, reach out to Onehub for your free demo.

On average, it takes over six months to realize a network has been breached. The damage done in this amount of time can be catastrophic for businesses.

Unfortunately, for many small to medium-sized companies, the up-front capital expenses of cyber security are out of reach. Instead, many turn to a cloud service provider to store and protect their data. But how do you know which provider is the best business cloud storage option?

If you’re researching cloud service providers, we suggest checking for the following must-have security features.

4 Security Features Only the Best Business Cloud Storage Providers Use

1. Event Logging and Two-Factor Authentication

Event logs track notifications, errors, and events happening in the background of your computer. If you suspect malicious activity within your network, checking your event log is one way to confirm or dismiss your suspicions.

In much the same way, a secure cloud service provider should allow you to track events within your account. This feature lets you sign up for notifications whenever someone accesses your cloud storage, views a preview, downloads a file, or prints a document. You should also be able to download a log so you can review past events.

But because hacking is a constant threat to any network, having additional security is also recommended. A secure cloud service provider should also provide the option to require two-factor authentication so that even with a correct username and password, hackers can’t gain access to your data.

2. Perimeter and Internal Firewalls

The most secure cloud storage providers should have two types of firewalls. The first is called a perimeter firewall, which controls all exchanges between your network and that of the cloud service. It acts as a first line of defense against external attacks and cloud storage security issues.

A perimeter firewall is important but it’s not enough on its own. An internal firewall, as its name suggests, protects your data from attacks within the network. Should an advisor’s credentials become compromised or an approved user with malicious intent decide to attack from within the cloud, an internal firewall can help to limit damage from a breach or prevent one entirely.

3. Data Encryption

Encrypting your data makes it essentially useless to hackers. Even if they’re able to access customer credit card information, confidential project documents, or employee social security numbers, they won’t be able to make sense of any of it, if it’s encrypted.

Hackers can sometimes break through encryption, which is why you’ll still have to alert customers or employees if you experience a data breach. But encryption at least buys affected parties time to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, such as canceling credit cards or closely monitoring their credit scores for suspicious activity.

Secure cloud storage providers will either provide data encryption services on their own or be integrable with third-party services. You can also encrypt your own data if you prefer.

If going with a cloud storage provider, check to make sure that all the data stored is encrypted both in transit and at rest to better protect your critical and sensitive information.

4. Physical Security

A cloud storage service will always have physical hardware that needs to be protected. Though not as common as malware or ransomware attacks, hackers have been known to attempt to gain access to secure information through a network’s physical systems.

A cloud storage service committed to security should have a facility with an sophisticated camera and alarm system, checkpoints with controlled access, and additional security measures as needed. In a cloud storage or virtual data room comparison, make sure you investigate the physical barriers between your data and a potential hacker.

3 Bonus Security Tips for Every Business Using the Cloud

Even with all your data stored in the cloud, there are still several actions you can take to prevent cloud storage security issues. Start with these three tips that every business using the cloud can implement within their systems.

Follow recommended password protocols – Poor password security can set you up for a breach. Make sure to keep your passwords safe and never use the same password for multiple platforms. Avoid using personal yet discoverable information like your spouse’s name or your birthdate. If you struggle to remember complicated passwords, consider using a password manager.

• Remain vigilant – Hackers can attack at any time. While you don’t need to spend every moment of your workday checking for evidence of a cyberattack, you should know what to look out for. A suddenly slow connection, unexpected popups, or mysterious computer behavior are all signs of a possible breach. Educate your employees on what to look out for as well. If you suspect an attack has taken place, contact your cloud storage provider immediately to see if your data has been compromised in any way.
• Check in with your cloud service provider – The best cloud service providers will continuously update their systems with new features for the security of cloud storage. Make sure you check in with your provider on occasion and ask if you’re taking full advantage of every security feature they offer and if there is anything else you can do to keep your data secure.
• The security of cloud storage is an ongoing battle. But by checking for these cloud storage security features when searching for a provider, you can breathe easier knowing that all possible steps are being taken to protect your company’s data.

As one of the best business cloud storage providers, Onehub is committed to secure cloud storage and offers all these security features and more. Learn more about how data stored with Onehub is safe, secure, and protected by requesting a free demo.

Cloud storage provides small businesses with impressive data benefits, like accessibility, security, and lower storage costs.

However, finding the best cloud storage for small business can prove challenging. Browse through the following checklist of cloud features to make sure you’re working with the best secure cloud file sharing service for your business.

6-Point Checklist for Finding Cloud Storage for Small Business

1. Integration Capabilities

What types of software, services, or platforms do you currently use to run your business? Put together a list of all such systems and match them against potential cloud storage companies to help you quickly narrow down your list of options.

While many cloud companies consider themselves to be integrable, others lack the ability to play well with other services. For example, not every cloud service enables users to open Microsoft Word documents, Adobe PDF files, or marketing materials like videos, infographics, and photos, which can interrupt workflow and productivity.

You may find that working on the cloud eliminates the need for some of your current platforms, but knowing you can experience a mostly seamless transition is an important criterion to look for.

2. Security

It should go without saying that security is a crucial avenue to explore when searching for the best cloud storage for small business. Look for the following cyber-security features:

• Role-based permissions
• Watermarks
• Automatic file deletion
• Event logs
• Two-factor authentication
• Data encryption (for both data at rest and in transit)
• Password enforcement options
• Session timeouts

You should be able to quickly tell how much a cloud service values security by exploring their website and reviews. If you have any concerns about the security a vendor can provide you with, it’s probably better to move on to another potential cloud service.

3. Location of Data Centers

If you conduct international business, you’ll want to know the physical location of your potential vendor’s data centers in order to comply with data sovereignty laws and regulations.

Another reason to know the location of a cloud storage service’s data centers has more to do with back-up and disaster recovery. If by chance the data center is nearby and a local event, such as a flood or a simple power outage that affects both your location and the cloud facility, it could take longer to get back up and running.

4. Affordable Cost

Small businesses often assume they don’t have the budget for cloud storage. But because storage is sold on a modular basis, you won’t be paying the same monthly fees as an enterprise would. Instead, the best cloud storage pricing will only charge you for what you need.

But before you dive in, you should thoroughly explore the costs of cloud based storage for small business and compare the numbers to what you’re currently paying for in-house storage. First, add up your current utility, IT, and hardware costs. Then compare the number to a cloud plan fee that fits your needs while offering room to grow. For most small businesses, the answer will be clear.

5. Scalability, Availability, and Performance

The best cloud storage for small business will give you scalability, availability and performance. As your data volume grows, working with a provider that’s scalable will prevent you from having to look for a new, larger provider and having to migrate all of your data.

The availability of your provider is crucial. A system that experiences too much downtime will have a negative effect on your business. One of the most enjoyed benefits of cloud storage is that documents are always available to approved users as long as they’re on a device connected to the internet.

A cloud service with frequent downtime eats away at this benefit. Make sure your provider has an impeccable reputation for availability.

Finally, review performance speeds of your cloud candidates. Some vendors offer different levels of performance speeds at different price points. You don’t want to pay for speed you don’t need, but for most companies, speed is a major factor. If you don’t have time to wait for a slower than average cloud provider this will be an important criterion to check.

6. Features

If a potential provider has ticked all the boxes so far, now it’s time to consider the unique features they offer. Every business will require their own list of features, but you can start by looking for some of the most common, including the following.

• Drag and drop uploading – Moving files to the cloud should only take a few seconds with this feature.
• Full-text search – Every word of every file is indexed so you’ll never waste time searching for a document again.
• User management – Decide which team members can access certain documents and modify as needed for both production and security.
• Collaboration features – Assign tasks, post comments, and communicate through messaging to keep projects running as planned.
• Customization options – Create a seamless experience for clients by customizing files with logos, colors, and white label support.

Finding the right cloud storage for YOUR small business may take some time. There are plenty of providers out there but not all of them will be a match for your unique needs. But now that you know what to look for, you’ll be able to join the cloud with more confidence once you make your decision.

To learn more about Onehub’s unique features and services, request a demo and see if it’s the best cloud service for your small business.

With so much chatter about safe data storage, you can find yourself with a lot of questions.

Is cloud storage secure?

How much does it cost?

What is the best cloud storage provider?

We took the time to comb through the most common cloud storage myths and set the truth free about all things cloud. Take a look for yourself.

Myth #1 – Cloud Data Is Insecure

This is by far the most common myth about cloud storage. While certainly not unreasonable, this misconception stops plenty of companies from switching to the cloud.

But before writing off such innovative technology, there are a few facts to know about cloud security.

First, security is a top focus for all cloud storage providers. Security experts work around the clock to stay ahead of hacker trends and protect their servers. In a cloud storage comparison against in-house servers, security is often vastly improved with the cloud.

Servers are often more physically secure with cloud storage as well. They’re typically monitored with camera systems, kept behind physical barriers, and can only be reached by a select few.

Also, many cloud breaches aren’t breaches at all. They’re the result of poor password security. A recent report from Gartner states that customers will account for 95% of cloud security failures through 2020. While there are additional security measures you can take, like data encryption and two-factor authentication, protecting your credentials should always be at the top of your list.

Finally, it’s important to know that cloud service employees don’t have access to your data. It’s a common misconception that your data is floating freely within the cloud for its technicians and customer service representatives to browse. This simply isn’t true.

Myth #2 – Cloud Services Are Expensive

At first glance, cloud services can seem out of reach, especially for smaller businesses with nominal budgets.

But when all considerations are priced out individually, it often becomes clear that businesses can actually save money by using the best cloud storage solution for their needs. In fact, a CompTIA report found that 47% of respondents listed overall savings as the top benefit of moving their data to cloud storage.

The costs of in-house storage are often mixed in with other business costs, making it difficult to determine what’s solely related to data storage. But when you consider utility costs, IT personnel salaries, hardware, and maintenance, the idea of paying a transparent flat rate for data storage makes more sense.

Myth #3 – Cloud Technology Is a Fad

By 2020, 83% of the company workload will be on the cloud. With that high of a percentage, it seems nearly impossible that cloud storage will ever disappear. The conception of cloud services can be traced back to the 1950s, so it can be said that the cloud has some definite staying power.

The future of cloud services is bright, with the industry estimated to reach a worth of $150 billion by the end of 2020. This anticipated jump has allowed cloud storage to surpass several other industries, including education services, corporate management, and utilities.

Myth #4 – Transitioning to the Cloud Is Slow and Difficult

Business owners often worry that switching to even the best cloud storage solution will put a screeching halt to their productivity for weeks or even months on end. The truth is that getting started on the cloud takes just a few minutes. In most cases, businesses can be utilizing the cloud in their normal business protocols on the same day they sign up.

A good cloud provider will make sure that the process of switching data over is simple and stress-free. While it may take a few days to get a handle on all the features and move over every last bit of data, productivity within a team utilizing cloud storage should sharply improve with time.

Myth #5 – My Business Isn’t Ready for the Cloud

The cloud is incredibly flexible. Many cloud providers offer their technology on a modular basis, so you’ll only pay for what you need. And if you find that your cloud needs change over time, it’s simple to increase or decrease your storage space.

If you’re worried your business isn’t ready for cloud storage, think of the alternative. Having a small staff now with in-house storage might work just fine. But should your business suddenly grow, the complexity and cost of upgrading your data storage could quickly get out of control. Switching to the cloud now can save your future resources.

There are plenty of rumors swirling around about the cloud. Before you let them make the decision on cloud storage for you, take the time to do a little investigating of your own.

So, what is the best cloud storage? It’s the one that makes the most sense for your business. Whether you’re looking for the best cloud backup solution, want to utilize secure file sharing for business clients, or need a service that allows you to complete most of your business exchanges within their servers, there’s an option out there for you.

To learn more about cloud storage and what it can do for your business, reach out to Onehub for a complimentary demo.

Companies are turning to secure cloud storage, a method of computer data storage in which a hosting company or application provider stores digital data in off-site servers, in record numbers. Every company has their own unique reasons for making the switch, but we’re willing to bet they don’t know all the advantages of cloud storage.

We’ve put together a list of seven of these benefits to show companies, both those who use cloud storage and those who are still on the fence, that business growth is often directly related to the benefits of cloud storage.

1. Secure Backup Storage

Do you follow the 3-2-1 backup rule? This rule encourages businesses to create three copies of their data, with the first two kept on two different storage types and the third kept offsite. The idea is that even if a disaster like a fire wipes out the two onsite copies, there’s still a third copy to fall back on.

Before cloud storage, these third copies were often stored on removable hard drives and kept in garages or storage lockers. While better than not having an offsite copy at all, this was hardly a foolproof method, leaving data open to theft or damage.

With cloud storage, you can have a third copy of your data kept offsite and safe. It only takes a few clicks to drop a copy of your files into your cloud storage system and you’re good to go. No matter what happens to your computer, server, or office building, you’ll always have a safe and secure copy of your data.

2. Increased Security

Achieving secure file sharing for business is critical. Just take a look at the following statistics.

• 21% of company files are not protected.
• 41% of companies have over 1,000 unprotected sensitive files, including health records and credit card numbers.
• 43% of cyberattacks target small business.
• Ransomware attacks have been growing by more than 350% each year.

In other words, companies have files that are vulnerable. They’re being targeted. And the frequency of attacks is increasing.

But cloud data storage can get you closer to becoming immune to cyberattacks. The most secure file sharing platforms will provide additional layers of confidence. As long as you take care of your credentials, you can rest assured that only you and approved team members and clients can access stored files in the cloud.

3. Remote Work

One of the more unique benefits of cloud storage is that employees can work remotely. When all your work files are stored in the cloud, they can be accessed from anywhere that has an internet connection. This includes through a smartphone in the tropics, on an airplane in the middle of the night, and from a living room couch on a Tuesday afternoon.

Does remote work have a negative effect on productivity? A Stanford study found that telecommuters actually showed a productivity boost when compared to traditional employees within the same company. They were also less distracted and less likely to take sick time.

Allowing for remote work can increase a company’s attractiveness to new applicants, reduce turnover, and boost morale, all of which are some of the many benefits of cloud storage.

4. Increased Productivity

Cloud storage frees up tons of space in office computers, enabling them to work much faster. Even by saving a minute a day in lag time, a company with 500 employees can suddenly find themselves with an additional 2,000+ hours of work time a year by increasing computer speeds through cloud storage.

But that could be just the tip of the iceberg. A survey found that workers employed at companies with more than 10,000 employees spent an average of an astonishing 38 minutes searching for just one document, either by asking coworkers, using a company directory, or sending a companywide e-mail.

With cloud storage, a simple search can locate a document in seconds, leading to an avalanche of suddenly available free time within a company.

5. Cost Savings

The costs of managing servers in-house can quickly add up. There are three costs to consider. First, there is the direct cost of the server itself and any additional hardware. Direct costs also include electricity and heating and cooling needed to keep the equipment functioning properly. There are also indirect costs to consider like paying IT staff members and technicians. A final cost to keep in mind is lost productivity if a server goes down.

It’s difficult to say what the average cost of operating a server is, as there are several variables to consider. But when you store your data in the cloud, you’ll always have an exact number for your accounting department to log. The simplicity of paying one fee to store data is a liberating experience, especially when it’s lower than the combined costs of storing data in house.

6. Accessibility

We’ve already mentioned that data stored in the cloud can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. While this is great for remote workers and virtual meetings, there is another important related benefit to consider, especially if you’re still not sure if the advantages of cloud storage are enough for you to make the switch.

If your company moves or opens a secondary location, either because of growth or an attempt to seek out a better location, moving both physical and virtual data can be a time consuming and difficult endeavor.

But having data stored in the cloud means you can hire movers for the furniture, grab your favorite coffee mug, and be up and running in your new location as soon as your internet service is active.

7. Efficiency

Finally, cloud storage has a positive effect on efficiency. While we’ve already touched on this benefit, it’s important to understand this from a client’s perspective.

When you’re able to quickly access important documents, keep a client’s private data safe and secure, speed up production rates, and provide a seamless experience to your clients, you’ll see that this cloud storage benefit is probably the most important.

The benefits of cloud storage are vast. But one effect they all have in common is that they can help you grow your business. Cloud storage could be the catalyst to success your business needs. If you want to learn more about how secure cloud storage can help your business, start a free 14-day trial today at Onehub.com.

There are two types of currency: time and money. Founders gearing up for their seed round of funding generally operate in the red in both currencies. In this stage, you’re seeking out investors to support initial market research and early product development to build the foundation of your startup. Trying to strike the balance of looking professional to initial investors while keeping a bootstrap approach is similar to walking a tightrope.

With finite resources and time, you have to be strategic in your decision-making process. Whether you give up time in exchange for money or money for time, depends on which process brings you to your desired goal in the quickest and most efficient manner. Deploying technology –like virtual data rooms— saves cash and time-strapped founders in more ways than one.

Virtual Data Rooms are a collection of securely stored files, with enhanced security, controlled access, restricted sharing, and auditing capabilities. They are perfect for startups as they offer confidentiality between Workspace users, which is a critical function when seeking funding. Data rooms also offer much needed flexibility without sacrificing brand autonomy. Let’s talk about how using an online data room can give you breathing room in your budget and schedule.

One Stop Shop

Pitch decks help paint the picture of what a startup could look like and help investors understand the potential viability of your business. Of course, taking the time to send out, customize, and revise decks is not only cumbersome but a waste of resources. Virtual data rooms provide easy to use options to upload, store, tweak, and tailor your important due diligence documents like pitch decks, financials and more. With intuitive tools like drag and drop documents, company watermarks, and a plethora of customizable options, you can stylize your data room to match your brand, creating a professional look that shows investors that you take your work seriously.

Total Control

Ramping up a startup requires you to share proprietary information, and that comes with its own unique set of risks. Utilizing a virtual data room not only allows you to store your documents in one place, but you can also control who sees what, what type of permissions and access they have to certain files, all under a veil of anonymity. Viewers have the ability to access the same information, but they can’t see who the other viewers are or what type of access they have. Investors can view specific information and you don’t have to worry about the documents getting into the wrong hands. Even better, this option eliminates the dreaded ‘copy and paste,’ helping to avoid sending pitches with the incorrect investor information. Nothing says ‘dead on the water’ like sending an email to Investor A with Investor B’s name on it.

Cost Effective

Perhaps the best case for leveraging a virtual data room is the cost factor. As an early stage startup, raising seed funding is all about managing costs while infusing cash flow into your up and coming startup. Being diligent with those initial investments is tantamount to the success of your company. Virtual data rooms are ideal in that the cost is relatively low, yet the payoff is high as you have a designated space to store and share vital business assets. Of course, when comparing virtual data room pricing, make sure that the provider you choose is money well spent. Before committing to a virtual data room provider, test for quality, ease of use, and customer support. While you may save money on a cheaper solution, if these factors are a hit and miss, you waste time trying to navigate the product. After all, you’re only as good as the tools you use.

Bottom line

While becoming a successful startup requires you to hustle from sunup to sundown, how you handle your time and spending is key. Levering technology like virtual data rooms frees up time that you could be perfecting your pitch, taking meetings with new investors, and championing the work of your team. Startups win when they make decisions with their time and finances in mind.

Onehub offers a robust, secure virtual data room solution for any startup or other business looking to share sensitive files. Our straightforward pricing and easy to use interface makes us a leader in the virtual data room space. Try Onehub free today to see firsthand how our virtual data rooms can help your business securely share files more effectively.

Branding doesn’t always come easy. For some business owners, it’s a matter of not knowing where to start. For others, it’s a budget issue. But there is a way around both hurdles.

If you’re a small business owner who is ready to make branding a priority, learning more about client portal software is a great place to start. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s in a Brand?

A company’s brand has multiple layers. It starts with visual cues, such as a logo and custom colors. Diving deeper into a brand uncovers its personality, unique attributes, and how it leaves consumers feeling about their interactions with it.

Online reviews, influencers, and word of mouth via social media have made it more difficult for companies to control the development of their brands. This often leaves businesses without a large marketing team unsure of the best branding path to take.

Does Every Business Need a Brand?

Uncertainty leads to some business owners putting their undeveloped brands on the company back burner. But by not working on their brand, these companies are missing out on some amazing benefits.

Branding:

• Builds trust
• Generates new leads
• Creates value
• Boosts reviews and referrals

Branding also helps customers develop loyalty. An impressive 77% of consumers say they’ve remained with a brand for more than a decade. Put simply, branding can boost your bottom line by securing long-term customers or clients.

Client Portal Software and Branding

Even if you understand the importance of branding, knowing where to start can be a different issue. Client portal software is a potential branding solution to consider.

Client portals are a cloud-based method of interacting with clients. Think of them as virtual lockers. You can safely store proposals, contracts, documents with project details, and invoices in a virtual space that only you and its assigned client have access to.

You can also communicate through portals and track a project’s progress. Client portals eliminate frustrating searches for documents, provide a professional virtual setting, and cater to a client’s security concerns.

They’re ideal for businesses who need to simultaneously maintain multiple projects with multiple clients while providing a personalized experience. Client portals for accountants provide a single place to communicate and share files with customers that are linked to from the accountant’s main website making it easy to find and access. This is also true for lawyers, marketing agencies, health providers, and architects, among others.

Client portals can naturally help a company develop their brand through consistency, a critical element of branding. According to a Lucidpress and Demand Metric survey, a consistent brand presentation can increase revenue by up to 23%. Portals can also boost your bottom line by eliminating busy work and allowing you to take on more clients.

If you’re considering client portal software, look for the following features that can assist with branding.

• Customization – A client portal that allows you to upload your company logo and add custom colors will create a visual brand that clients will recognize with consistent exposure. Make sure your portal carries this customization through to sign in pages and emails. You should also be able to add white label support so that your clients enjoy a seamless experience.
• Security – Your client portal should guarantee strong security measures for both your business and clients, including document watermarks, automatic file deletion, and workspace agreements.
• Ease of use – Your ideal client portal should include an embedded sign-in form feature. This will allow you to place a sign-in box directly on your website. This way, clients won’t have to search for a link or remember a different website address. You’ll also want to look for a portal that provides clients with an inviting and simple to use dashboard for navigation.

Building a brand is important to all business sizes and industries, and finding the right tools is the first step of the process. Onehub is a great example of client portal software that offers branding features. If you want to learn more about how client portals can help you build your brand, start a free 14-day trial today at Onehub.com.