Everyone who starts a business wants it to succeed. In order to reach a certain level of success, however, entrepreneurs must know how to effectively use the tools and resources they have, and more importantly, know when it’s time to invest further. Taking your business to its next developmental phase, however, is not much different than when you first launched. You must know when it is time to make the move as well as the resources you’ll use to get there. Here, we take a look at the signs you need to invest in your business, and how to do so efficiently.

You’re wasting time on routine tasks

Is your business presently a one-man show? Another tactic commonly used to save money when starting a business, many entrepreneurs run the business without the assistance of others. This means they are doing everything from answering the phones and sending out correspondence to running meetings and attending corporate events. When you’ve reached the point that you’re spending more time on routine tasks and not enough time on running an effective business, it is time to enlist some help.

If you’re not quite ready to hire a team of full-time employees to help with some of your mundane tasks, there are other options. One would be to hire temporary staff whom you can hire to work for a few weeks, months, or years depending on your need. Another option is outsourcing. For more specialised tasks like accounting or marketing, it may be necessary to outsource your needs to a CPA or a digital marketing company with SEO content writing services. Like temp staff, they work on an as-needed basis and will save you from having to cover employer taxes, benefits, and other hiring costs.

You’re running out of space

Most entrepreneurs start off working remotely from home. This is the easiest way to launch a start-up and save money in the process. However, if the space you’ve designated for work is no longer accommodating, it is time to grow. Certain scenarios might include hiring staff and having nowhere for them to work, not having adequate space for meeting with clients, or running out of physical space for business operations.

If space is limited in your home office, relocating makes the most sense. It is imperative that you not only choose a commercial property you can afford, but one that is conveniently located near your customers or clients. If you’re not quite ready for your own storefront or office building, you could rent space from an established company. This will not only save you money but increase your exposure.

Your equipment is outdated

You need everything from a reliable internet connection to the best computers and laptops to conduct business. Though you may have grabbed whatever was available when you initially started, there will come a time when you need to invest in something more. Outdated equipment and software slow down productivity and wastes time, which ultimately means money down the drain.

If you’re unable to access certain websites or applications, are constantly dealing with slow connectivity and downtime, or can’t perform simple tasks like sending emails and opening documents, you need to invest in new technology. You can find affordable prices by comparing rates online or purchasing refurbished merchandise that comes with a service warranty.

When you’re just launching your business, it isn’t uncommon to cut corners, pick up the slack, and use other measures to compensate for the lack of funds and resources. However, when your business starts to reach a certain level of success, it becomes necessary to invest in its continual growth. If your workspace has become too small, you don’t have enough time in the day to get to all your responsibilities, or you’re trying to operate using outdated equipment, the longer you wait to do something about it, the more your business will suffer. Make the right decision and begin looking for alternative solutions like those described above that will help you to properly expand and continue to run efficiently.