Crowdsourcing for Small Businesses

December 17, 2010 By Aminda

The opportunities for small businesses seem endless as technology keeps providing tools allowing individuals and modest enterprises to take on a much large presence. The concept of crowdsourcing can equip one person with the tools and insight of, literally, a crowd of hundreds. Crowdsourcing is most typically though of as a way to work done that is technical or artistic, like logo design. But here are a few more creative ways that the concept can be used.

Customer service

If a company is selling a product such as software or an app that is high-touch and requires technical support, consider involving the customers. Set up a community area on where website where customers can interact, ask answer questions and share tips and tricks. The company will need to consider how carefully the space will need to be monitored and moderated by staff representatives. Purchasing Power

Retailers can consider developing variations of the made.com approach that engages customers in selecting the styles they want to see next available for purchase. Try a platform like IdeaScale to make it easier. There is no reason every visitor to your site needs to vote; an e-mail could be sent to a select group of regular customers. 

Product testing

Services like uTest provide a community of professional tester for application products to complement your existing test cycle by eliminating gaps in your QA coverage.  

While it’s not really a new concept, retailers might consider sending new hard goods out to a select group of testers to put through the paces. Even better, ask them to send in some pictures of themselves using or wearing the product.

Connect your creative talent

IdeaConnection was recently featured on another innovation site in an article on maximizing problem solving and creativity. The core of the article encouraged creative types in small businesses to broaden their experience through participation in an open innovation team.

Encouraging your internal talent to contribute to larger-scale projects has several benefits. They learn to work on a diverse team, they gain satisfaction and confidence by working on fresh projects and they gain a more positive mindset towards open innovation.

What about you, do you have any creative ideas to share for small businesses?

 


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Reader Comments


The customer service is the most important part of any businesses since that is where transaction starts and ends. Giving the customer the best service there is will keep them coming back for more.
Posted by Lainy Ashton on April 22, 2012

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